Home > Gwinnett > Rick Badie / My Opinion > Archives > 2009 > January > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAirmen honored at inauguration
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Tuskegee Airmen have been invited to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
The invitation came from Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat who chairs the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
It’s considered a way to pay homage to the black elite U.S. fighter pilots who flew in World War II for a segregated military. These men, along with their ground crews, helped pave the way for the Illinois Democrat to become the country’s first black president.
It’s unclear how many of the remaining 300 or so fighter pilots will attend the Jan. 20 event. The International Herald Tribune has reported that most of the veterans are frail, in their 80s and 90s.
Moreover, the logistics of the inauguration, coupled with the weather, accommodations and expected huge crowds, will put attendance out of reach for some pilots.
But the airmen who live in metro Atlanta — 13 belong to the Atlanta chapter of Tuskegee Airmen — have also been invited to a local event that takes place two days after the inaugural event. It, too, is meant to honor their bravery, just like those tickets to the swearing-in bash in D.C.
On Jan. 22, the Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum is to host a ceremony that recognizes the airmen for what they did, what they went through, the symbolism of which came full circle for this country on Election Day.
The ceremony is being held in memory of the late Lt. Col. Charles Walter Dryden, a Tuskegee fighter pilot who lived in Atlanta. He died in June 2008. Dryden’s wife and son are expected to attend the ceremony, along with four area Tuskegee Airmen — Earl Martin, Hiram Little Sr., Thomas Bristow Sr. and Donald Summerlin.
While there, they can browse a display on the history they made, conceived by museum volunteer Bob Hill. Way back in July, he gave me a heads-up that an exhibit was in the works. Little did we know the museum’s nod to the Tuskegee experience would be so resonant, so symbolically apropos in light of Election Day 2008.
“No, I never rode in the back of the bus or walked in a [civil rights] march, but I have come to the feeling that what is happening now in this country [with the Obama victory] is saving it from absolute ruin in the way of racial strife,” Hill said. “To the Tuskegee Airmen, this is a way of saying it was tough, but you did it. This is important — the election of Obama notwithstanding — to say ‘thanks. It was tough what you did.’ “
At the ceremony, Norcross’s Robert Sample, a former paratrooper and military history buff, will speak briefly on what the Tuskegee Airmen have meant to his life, both in and outside his military career. Then, a few minutes of the film, “The Tuskegee Airmen,” will be shown.
“This is tremendous,” said Travon Dennis, who handles publicity for the Tuskegee Atlanta chapter. “It falls right along with the educational initiatives chapters across the country are promoting to tell the story of these giants.”
The museum’s quarters are small — they might hold 100 or so people. Hall hopes he doesn’t get an overflow crowd on Jan. 22, and emphasizes that the Tuskegee exhibit will be on display through Black History Month.
“We’ll keep the display up as long as the public shows an interest,” he said. “We should have done this this same time last year. If we had, I would have been able to meet Lt. Col. Dryden.”
The Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum is located in downtown Lawrenceville, 185 Crogan St., on first floor of the Historic Courthouse. Online: vetmemorialmuseum.tripod.com. For more information, contact Bob Hill at 770-401-9455.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Comments
By reader
January 10, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Not to lessen the importance of the Tuskegee Airmen and their legacy to US history, they do deserve this honor, but why haven’t all WW2 vets been invited? Why not honor all veterans, from every era, for the sacrifice and service given this country?
By Crime Pays Sometimes
January 10, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
Obama will astonish us all on inauguration day. He’ll obliterate the last refuge of conservatism by exorcising the jingoistic jangle of jungle law that possessed our unjuried foreign policy. He’ll douse Bush’s divine rights of executive privelege with a baptism of fire, (as in “you’re fired”.)
Obama will invoke the dormant phantoms of our founding fathers, unleashing the unconsummated bliss of our promised freedoms while he annulls the Cheney shotgun-marriage of church and state.
Obama will speak as our president, and our latent prophesy of justice will be fulfilled; our cautious faith in America restored; our new blushing Bride of Liberty will beckon globally to the wretched refuse of Bush Diplomacy: You are America too!
By nana
January 10, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this
I agree with reader and especially any of the service men/women who are on leave now from the wars in the middle east and even more the ones that are permanently disabled as a result of any war. While I too don’t want to take anything away from the Tuskegee airman and can see why they would/should be proud of Obama’s accomplishments. We must remember that Obama is also half white. That seems to escape everyone nowadays. I’m sure his mother or her side of the family would not be very happy about that.
By Lee
January 10, 2009 10:28 PM | Link to this
Let’s see, for over 60 years, we were told of the great accomplishments of this group of airmen, how they never lost a plane, etc, etc. Now, we find out that it was all one big politically correct LIE.
More interestingly, why didn’t at least one of those upstanding airmen come forward and tell the truth.
They were used as pawns back then, and they continue to beused as pawns today.
Sorry, honorable men do not perpetuate a lie.
By LB
January 11, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this
I agree with reader. Very well said. To honor these brave men only because of their color is the worst slap in the face we could give to all other veterans including blacks. How offensive is THAT?
By Willow
January 11, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this
I was searching for info to see if there was anyway to contribute money to airfare and lodging for the vets…. I shouldnt be surprised that someone like Lee would post a comment. Lee, honorable me do not disparage others when they are ignorant with the situation. You were not there—you have never served our country and put your life on the line for our freedom. Little men denouce our veterans, men with small minds and petty thoughts. Men who can hide behind their computer…. Lee, you just remind everyone of how pathetic people can be. Good luck with your bitterness.
By Old Man Ribah
January 11, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
The Tuskegee Airmen were a major step in the fight for civil rights. During the civil war, black soldiers began the march to that mountain top MLK talked about. The Tuskegee Airmen were great PR for civil rights. That’s how insane racism is: A little woman on a bus, or a pilot in a plane: Their very existence brought us forward as a nation toward justice. Justice is close at hand, but now it’s more of a brass ring on the American Merry go Round of glass ceilings and gentlemen’s clubs. It’s also in the background radiation of fear that still permeates the universe thanks to hate, ignorance and ignorance.
did I mention the ignorance it takes to perpetuate racism?
By LT5000
January 11, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
Any veteran has my complete and total respect for their service. These men were truly role models
However, Obambi says to spread his message of change will be utilizing Rap Thugs Jay-Z and Ludacris.
http://hiphop.popcrunch.com/barack-obama-rappers-for-social-change-message-obama-to-use-jay-z-kayne-west-to-spread-message-of-social-change/
Has the Obama buyers remorse started yet? Then check out his amateurish appearance on This Week with Georgie Stephanopolous.
Obambi couldn’t even handle Georgie’s softballs. Of course Badie and the rest of the MSM will always be there to make apologies.
Blowbama is going to make Jimmuh Carter look like a real President.
LT5000
By BW
January 11, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
Man, oh man, some of the comments above just shows that some don’t understand “The times they are a changing”.
reader and nana, get over it, Memorial Day and Veterans Day cover our troops. You really want to honor them, push to bring them home from bush’s invasions.
President Harry S. Truman intergrated the military, I’m sure the Tuskegee Airmen had a lot to do with it.
Vote white next time and they can honor the WASP Brigade.
By fed up
January 11, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
What is with you BW there is nothing for me to “get over” you are one bitter, bitter Man??? Isn’t Memorial Day and Veterans Day for the Tuskegee airmen as well? Then why shouldn’t all veterans be included in the attendance of the inaugaration? Is there anyone you can get along with?
By fed up w/BW
January 11, 2009 12:36 PM | Link to this
forgot the end of my “by…fed up w/BW
By nana/fed up w/BW
January 11, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
Hey BW how do you know I didn’t vote for Obama. You make an awful lot of assumptions and always looking to pick a fight with someone. Go after Mark why don’t ya?
By "Charles", The Original
January 11, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this
Rick Badie’s article shows just how far the masses of people in America have fallen in the past forty years. The very thing that we think of as progress, integration etc, is the very thing that’s rendering most our children delusional if not dysfunctional.
Integration is the greatest variable that destroys community. It seeks to destroy the community of individual groups of people and merge them with the so-called larger community. And as integration has done to the masses of black people, illegitimacy, internecine strife, crime, drugs, and demonic possession, the New World Order integration will do to communities here and around the globe.
One of the greatest needs in a child’s life is community. It is the system that produces a vital environment that organizes and develops a child for the purpose of making him/her fully human. Without the black community, or other specific communities, nothing genuine can be born, love, happiness, trust, bonds, reason, human standards, etc… Do as thou will become the whole of the law.
I saw Bill Cosby, Adrian Fenty, Maxine Waters, and Alvin Poissant this morning on Meet The Press. I don’t know whether they are just plain ignorant or they exploit the masses of black people for gratuities or some secret ideology. They all agreed that the ills, illegitimacy, crime, drug abuse, etc in the “nonexistent” black community is two or more times the level of forty years ago, the advent of mandatory integration. And at the same time, they seem to accept the tradeoff if it can produce a so-called black president, Barrack Obama.
If the masses of black people and the masses of people in other communities, primarily the middle class, are not smart enough to put people of that persuasion in prison instead of on television, the suffering in each community will worsen with hired pundits pointing the masses of people to false causes and solutions.
By Mark
January 11, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
www.martinlutherking.org
Read about the real “Dr” King. Read it and weep. All truths, and all well documented. He was your typical racist black punk.
By reader
January 11, 2009 1:46 PM | Link to this
BW, was that an attempt to answer my questions? If so, you make no sense. No surprise.
By gravity gone awry
January 11, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
Yes Rick, there is a full moon scheduled tonight. That should explain everything.
By "Charles", The Original
January 11, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
At least Mike provides an answer for a serious problem in the United States. And there are areas in his presentation, www.martinlutherking.org, where I agree, but some I wholeheartedly disagree. He expressed what he believes and that has to be respected.
But gravity gone awry has provided no answers for the reader to ponder. He/she like most integrationist, attempts to play on the emotions of the ignorant; the ignorant includes many of the so-called educated and the unlearned.
By "Charles", The Original
January 11, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
Oops, forgive for the error Mark. I referred to you as Mike.
By hg
January 11, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
We honor the Tuskegee Airmen at Inauguration because it’s symbolic, ya dipshyts!
They served the country when our country would not serve them. They behaved with dignity and valor in a situation where everyone destined them for failure.
They raised the consciousness of the military to allow for African Americans to serve alongside of any other soldier in the US.
I’m proud of them, the country is proud of them, they deserve this honor.
By "Charles", The Original
January 11, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this
I happen to think that Martin Luther King Jr. was essentially a good person. Like all leaders, Moses, Jesus the Christ, Muhammad, and the founding fathers, when they die, criminals, thugs, prostitutes, and miscreants gets to speak for or misrepresent them.
I don’t believe Martin Luther King Jr. would agree with anything that’s been done in the United States since his death. After all, he was murdered primarily by black integrationist for the purpose of altering his message to mislead the masses of black and white people.
If Martin Luther King Jr returned from the grave, and told me that he agrees with the things that’s been done in his name since his death, I would shoot him again. And I’m a non-violent person.
By Bubba
January 11, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this
I don’t know why the color of a man’s skin makes a difference. But it does.
I don’t know why the religion that one practices makes a difference. But it does.
Recognition of groups like the Tuskogee Airmen needs to be commemorated, if for no other reason than to remind us all that we, as a human race, have a long ways to go with regards to how we treat one another.
Race is a physical identifier that we can put to as a means to signify that they are different. This difference affects all people, which means that all of us, in some shape or form, are subject to the biases that are, individually, affected by our fears and persecutions and that are, collectively, a fuel for perpetuating an ease and insecurity that grows with our migration to cities and social groups.
Recognizing groups like the Tuskogee Airmen reminds us all of what we are capable of accomplishing. It isn’t about who did more with what. It is about what we can do if we try.
Whether or not Obama will be a good president will have nothing to do with his race. Honoring a group like the Tukogee Airmen serves to remind us that all men should be given the chance to succeed, to achieve, and to be heroes.
Failure, as well as success, has nothing to do with race. Nevertheless, we all need to be reminded that all people can be heroes, just as all people can succumb to the frailties of life.
By nana
January 11, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this
very well said Bubba
By Michael H. Smith
January 11, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
And race Bubba has nothing to do with color of skin, religions beliefs or origins of ancestry. Race, as America defines it, exists only in the prejudice of the mind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrial_Eve
By "Charles", The Original
January 11, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
Japan is almost a homogeneous society, comprised of Japanese people. And they produce much of their food, clothing, and shelter. Japanese have the power to service the basic needs of their people. And I’m sure people will tell you that success in their country has a lot to do with bloodline, class, and so forth.
Those people don’t want to be integrated with anyone. They have enough problems of their own without taking on the burden of other people. And no sensible people should expect another group of people to be responsible for their physical existence. You would have to be a human being to experience shame.
Looking back at history, I think The Tuskegee Airmen were insane. They were already free people. But it would take tremendously hard work to lift themselves and black people up by the sweat of their brow. I guess freedom was too hard. To this very day, integrationist black people practically beg white people to re-enslave them via integration. We are talking about natural born slaves cloaked in education, talent, and other skills.
I can’t blame anyone but integrationist black people for the genocidal conditions black children face today in the non-existent black community.
By BW
January 11, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this
Hey reader grab a clue, “President Harry S. Truman intergrated the military, I’m sure the Tuskegee Airmen had a lot to do with it.”
Think about it, the Tuskegee Airmen could fight the same as any other airman, they just couldn’t eat at the same mess hall, sleep in the same barracks or march with the others.
The Tuskegee Airmen were never invited to the ball during the war, now it would be unfair not to invite everyone who ignored them?
By Bubba
January 12, 2009 1:39 AM | Link to this
My point is that no one should be recognized for heroism simply because of their race, or their religion, or whatever.
When one engages in an act of heroism, his “caveats” don’t apply. The hero isn’t Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist. The hero isn’t Anglican, African, Slavic, Japanese. The hero does what he does because it is right to do so.
It is this trait that we admire. And it is unfortunate, for us as human beings, to have to classify heroism according to race, religion, creed, what have you. That’s all.
It shouldn’t matter how we choose to honor heroism, but it does.
By BW
January 12, 2009 3:19 AM | Link to this
My point is the Tuskogee Airmen or any other Black soldiers of WWII were NOT allowed to march in any of the Victory parades when they returned.
To be awarded this honor is only fitting for the Tuskegee Airmen to witness another first, seeing President elect Obama sworn in.
Remember every one of our services will be sending their finest to march in the parade welcoming their new Commander In Chief, no one is being left out.
By Michael H. Smith
January 12, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
It is unfortunate, for us as human beings, to have to classify.
That piece would have been sufficient right there, as is Bubba. Where we as a nation of one people get into to trouble with ourselves is when we invent the categories that don’t exist. The unfortunate part is that we have to call something a race that is not a race.
Look up the word color in the dictionary: A visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect. Where is a race in that definition?
Look up the word skin in the dictionary: A natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch. Where is a race in that definition?
Put the two separate definitions together of skin and color: A natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch, a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect. Where is a race in that definition?
Amazing how only in America we defy science and a dictionary because the prejudice in our minds refuse to accept what both tell us about ourselves. We cannot find race in the word color and we cannot find the word race in the word skin but curiously when it comes to the word race we combine them to define them to mean skin color.
To justify this misguided magic we even go so far as to redirect, rewrite even write–out certain skin colors from the pages of history to protect the prejudice of our misguided definitions.
Hall hopes he doesn’t get an overflow crowd on Jan. 22, and emphasizes that the Tuskegee exhibit will be on display through Black History Month.
Perhaps congratulations are in order, it looks as though some 230 years of American history that was intentionally written-out (left-out) and too often written-off is going to get a few more weeks added to a month.
The Tuskegee Airmen aren’t receiving any special treatment. They are only now receiving what so many blacks, who served our country with dignity, honor and pride should have been given long ago, instead of being forced to stand alone on a podium of national rejection.
By Mark
January 12, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
MLK couldn’t even think for himself. That’s why he had his “posse” of Andy Young, Lowrey and the like. Hell, he even plagarized his college thesis. He was only a somebody to the nobodies.
By reader
January 12, 2009 5:49 PM | Link to this
Hey, BW, get a clue. I only asked why the rest of the WW2 vets weren’t invited. I did not ask why the Tuskegee Airmen were being honored. You make too many inferences to others’ posts.
By reader
January 12, 2009 5:52 PM | Link to this
Bubba: Great posts. Enjoy following your thought process.
By Michael H. Smith
January 12, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
I do agree reader, Bubba does bring some good thoughts to fore. I agree with more of them than disagree. My only real regret is that we can’t afford to build a bigger Veterans Memorial Museum right next to the Fallen Heroes Memorial. I’m sure some would object to the county funding that too but somethings in life are just too important to be forgotten, in my opinion. All Veterans really do deserve to be remembered every day.
By Analchord
January 12, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this
The Tuskegee Airmen were a major step in the fight for civil rights. During the civil war, black soldiers began the march to that mountain top MLK talked about. The Tuskegee Airmen were great PR for civil rights. That’s how insane racism is: A little woman on a bus, or a pilot in a plane: Their very existence brought us forward as a nation toward justice. Justice is close at hand, but now it’s more of a brass ring on the American Merry go Round of glass ceilings and gentlemen’s clubs. It’s also in the background radiation of fear that still permeates the universe thanks to hate, ignorance and ignorance and ignorance.
By BW
January 12, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
reader, please tell me one President that invited all veterans of WWII to attend?
reader, “You make too many inferences to others’ posts.”, I hope that is just your opinion and not a rule I missed along the way.
By reader
January 12, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this
BW: Give it up. You try to make an argument out of nothing. All I asked is why all WW2 vets were not included in the invitation and why all not honor all vets, from every era, at the inauguration. Fair questions. Nowhere did I ask for justification for the honor and distinction to be recognized in regards to the Tuskegee Airmen at the inauguration. If you’re going to address my questions, stay on topic. You rant and rave and dance around the questions. Learn how to make an argument that makes sense and post like an adult. Do you even know what it means to make an inference?
By LT5000
January 12, 2009 11:44 PM | Link to this
Reader,
Lay off BW aka Brucie the dumbass.
He’s been upset since he heard that there was going to be a surge of deportations at the Gwinnett County Detention Center.
He can no longer cruise the local Quik Trips for his daily dose of Illegal Mexican chorizo with extra salsa.
LT5000
By BW
January 13, 2009 12:41 AM | Link to this
reader, it’s clear you cannot answer the simple question. NO President invited all veterans of any war to the inauguration.
It would seem the only reason you have your panties in a wad is it’s because the Tuskegee Airmen are the guests, typical Southern Mentality.
By BW
January 13, 2009 1:08 AM | Link to this
“Give it up. You try to make an argument out of nothing. All I asked is why all WW2 vets were not included in the invitation”, I attemped to make it as simple as I could reader. All WWII veterans had victory parades, except the Blacks, they were not allowed. I cannot make it any more simple for you.
“Do you even know what it means to make an inference?”, yes.