Viewing page 93 of 121

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Saturday, Aug. 16, 1975  THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • America's Fastest Growing Weekly

IN CONVENTION SESSION HERE

Espirit de Corps of Black Airmen is Strong As Ever

By MICHAEL E. JONES
Tuskegee Airmen Inc., comprised of the all-Black World War II fighter and bomber groups, is about to add another page of history to its already prestigious list of first accomplishments.

On Aug. 31, Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. will become the first Black four star general in the U.S. Air Force.

That's not bad for a first. But when you take a good look at the Tuskegee Airmen, the accomplishments of the group, and of the individual members who comprise the group you will see that it was inevitable that something like this would happen.  

Here is how it began.

[[missing text]]

[[image]]

[[missing text]] leadership qualities.  In Washington, representing Michigan's 13th district, is Cong. Charles Diggs Jr., a Tuskegee Airman.

Even closer to home the reigns of leadership is provided by Airmen Ernest Browne Jr., Detroit Common Councilman, and Mayor Coleman A. Young.

That's hardly a roster that represents inactivity. In fact, the list goes on to include ABC newsman Bill Matney, three more general, a host of doctors and lawyers and writers. Surprising?

"Not to me. It's no wonder they have made their mark in today's world. They had some of the greatest minds in the country," said Mrs. Curtis Robinson, wife of Airman Curtis Robinson, a pharmacist who owns and operates three pharmacies in Washington, D.C. "They had to be the best then and they are still the best now," she continued.  

Mrs. Robinson, recalling national sentiment at the time of the formation of the Tuskegee airmen said, "Nobody knew about it but Black people. And it is still basically the same way now."

Agreeing head nods came from Mrs. W.H. Fuller, wife of Airman W.H. Fuller, who picked up the conversation: "It's a shame that this country let those men go to waste.  They could fly any kind of airplane built, but the commercial airlines were racist, they did not allow Blacks to fly their planes.

"Now they call themselves trying to recruit Black pilots.  Our husbands are too old to fly now," commented Mrs. Fuller.

Mrs. Fuller and Mrs. Robinson agreed that their husbands had the support of their wives and the rest of the country who knew about the Airmen. Realizing the danger their husbands were in, Mrs. Robinson said she was too young and foolish to worry.

"Now I worry when he takes his private plane in the air," she kidded.

Being an Airman was not all fun and games. "A war is still a war," said Henry Peoples, an Airman who is now composing room employee at the Detroit News.

Peoples said that being an Airman, like anything else, was just a job. "Oh, I realize that we had a duel purpose and that we had to overcome a hell of a lot of racism.  In that respect, we had to do the job better than anyone else," he pointed out.

Tuskegee Airmen Inc. is broken down into three regions: an east coast region, a west and central. From those regions spring several chapters.

Each chapter, like the national chapter, has its own officers and its own Board of Directors. Members are required to pay $25 dues each year, $5 of which goes into the treasury of the national chapter.

The Tuskegee Airmen held their first national convention four years ago in Detroit. Since then, the airmen have held conventions in Washington, Los Angeles and again in Detroit. Next year they will meet in Philadelphia.

Each year, the convention is hosted by the local chapter.

[[image]]
[[caption]] PIONEERS MEET HERE - A dinner dance last Saturday at Cobo Hall climaxed the fourth annual convention of famed Tuskegee Airmen at Pontchartrain hotel. Among those on hand for reunion of pioneering group were (from left) Wardell Polk, Gen. Chappie James, Mayo Young and Elmore Kennedy, who served as toastmaster. [[/caption]]

[[image]]
[[caption]] WALL-TO-GENERALS - There was plenty of brass in attendance last Saturday at gathering of Tuskegee Airmen at Cobo Hall.  Paying tribute to Black airmen who made flying history during World War II were (from left) Gens. Tom Clifford, Rufus Billups, Chappie James, Lucius Theus and Earl Brown. [[/caption]]

Rev. E. C. Jones, of the Greater Future Baptist church, Linwood at Clements was honored last week in services hailing his 17th year as pastor.  

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-28 19:51:55