Wednesday, February 21, 2001
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Wednesday, February 21, 2001 |
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Famous black fighter group to visit school, church here Tuskegee Airmen Fly High at North Fayette Elementary During World War II, the 332nd Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Force had the most requested escorts responsible for protecting bomber crews flying their planes across Germany. In fact, the fighter group, made up of 450 fighter pilots, was one of the allied forces strongest weapon against Nazi Germany. Known as the Tuskegee Airmen, this fighter group is especially noteworthy because they were all African American. Representatives from the Atlanta Chapter Tuskegee Airmen will visit North Fayette Elementary School to educate fourth and fifth grade students about the history of the 332nd Fighter Group, also nicknamed the Redtail Angels because the tails of their planes were painted red. Due to the Air Force's racial segregation policies at the time, the Tuskegee Airmen got their name because they were trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, the military's only training facility for African American pilots. During their visit at North Fayette, the airmen will tell students about the accomplishments of the fighter group through the use of videos, pictures and lecture. These accomplishments include earning 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legions of Merit and the Red Star of Yugoslavia, eight Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars, 744 Air Medals and clusters, and three Distinguished Unit citations. In addition, the Tuskegee Institute graduated America's first African American four-star general, the late Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James. This will be the Tuskegee Airmen's second appearance at North Fayette Elementary in conjunction with Black History Month. Principal Louis Robinson says the students' enthusiasm for the fighter group was so great last year that he wanted to bring the airmen back for an encore performance. The airmen will begin their talk at 9 a.m. Feb. 22. They also will visit Flat Rock AME Church Feb. 25 in a program sponsored by the church youth group. Services begin at 10 a.m. Members of area churches are invited. The church is at 148 Old Chapel Lane, Fayetteville.
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