Thread: World War II's famed Tuskegee Airmen to get front-row seats at Obama's inauguration

This is just a wonderful gesture honoring these true heroes of WWII. The Tuskegee airmen never lost a bomber that escorted. They were incredible.

"My career in public service was made possible by the path [that] heroes like the Tuskegee Airmen trailblazed."
President-elect Barack Obama
WASHINGTON - It took 60 years for the Tuskegee Airmen to get a second invite to a presidential inauguration, and this time they'll actually be able to go.
"I've told everybody I want to go hop, skip and jumping in the parade, if they'll let me" to honor the first African-American President, said 92-year-old retired Lt. Col. Spann Watson of Westbury, L.I.
When President Harry Truman took the oath of office in 1949, the first inauguration after World War II, Watson and 11 other airmen from the famed all-black unit were limited to a flyby over the parade - and they never set foot in the still-segregated capital.
"Col. Bill Campbell had the lead plane, and I was the No. 2" in P-47N Grumman Thunderbolts, Watson said. Taking off from a suburban airfield, "We flew right down Pennsylvania [Ave.] and kept right on going" back to their Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio, he said.
This Jan. 20, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will be more welcoming to the estimated 250 surviving Tuskegee Airmen, all in their 80s and 90s, who are able to come.
The committee has upfront seats for all of them on the Capitol lawn for the swearing-in of Obama. Transition sources said that 1940s vintage cars also will be available to drive them in the parade to the White House, where they will take a salute from Obama.

World War II's famed Tuskegee Airmen to get front-row seats at Obama's inauguration

A well deserved honor for those who serviced our country.

EDIT: I had no idea there were 250 of them, much less 250 still alive! Wow. Wish they were a bigger part of the curriculum.

Originally Posted by Ronin Tetsuro

A well deserved honor for those who serviced our country.

EDIT: I had no idea there were 250 of them, much less 250 still alive! Wow. Wish they were a bigger part of the curriculum.

These guys weren't just military heroes. As a unit they were instrumental in breaking down the color barrier in the military and their legendary service was a principal motivating factor in Truman officially desegregating the military.

I'm really happy that they'll be able to attend and that they will sit front and center as honored guests.

Wow isn't that cute.....Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male

Now lets all sing "Its a small world".

Originally Posted by Bourne

This is just a wonderful gesture honoring these true heroes of WWII. The Tuskegee airmen never lost a bomber that escorted. They were incredible.



World War II's famed Tuskegee Airmen to get front-row seats at Obama's inauguration

So the SOS Democrats (Symbolism Over Substance) are going to play the race card first thing.

Are the Tuskeegee Airmen more or less important than any white guy that flew a mission over Europe or in the Pacific?

Is this empty parading of old war heroes going to somehow wash the stain of dishonor Obie covered himself with when he refused to visit wounded troups in Germany when he wasn't allowed to make a circus of it?

No.

Oh, and don't forget the other empty symbolism of that guy who's going to give a million bucks so some whinos can get good views of the inauguration of the Messiah, too. That guy knows how to buy publicity!

Originally Posted by Bourne

This is just a wonderful gesture honoring these true heroes of WWII. The Tuskegee airmen never lost a bomber that escorted. They were incredible.



World War II's famed Tuskegee Airmen to get front-row seats at Obama's inauguration

I think that's actually prety cool. Im a WWII Aircraft buff and a big fan of these incredible men.

Originally Posted by Freedom for All

Oh, and don't forget the other empty symbolism of that guy who's going to give a million bucks so some whinos can get good views of the inauguration of the Messiah, too. That guy knows how to buy publicity!

So over the top, it's unforgivable. I never want to hear another word about respecting the troops from you again.

Originally Posted by Freedom for All

So the SOS Democrats (Symbolism Over Substance) are going to play the race card first thing.

you are SO right! democrats are DEFINITELY the ONLY politicians to ever make symbolic gestures.

you really nailed that one FFA! you're on a roll!

Originally Posted by nickcuse

you are SO right! democrats are DEFINITELY the ONLY politicians to ever make symbolic gestures.

you really nailed that one FFA! you're on a roll!

I know the whole Reagan Funeral/Parade/Circle Jerk was about as dignified as a cross country idol worship circus can get!

Originally Posted by Freedom for All

So the SOS Democrats (Symbolism Over Substance) are going to play the race card first thing.

Are the Tuskeegee Airmen more or less important than any white guy that flew a mission over Europe or in the Pacific?

Is this empty parading of old war heroes going to somehow wash the stain of dishonor Obie covered himself with when he refused to visit wounded troups in Germany when he wasn't allowed to make a circus of it?

No.

Oh, and don't forget the other empty symbolism of that guy who's going to give a million bucks so some whinos can get good views of the inauguration of the Messiah, too. That guy knows how to buy publicity!

Congrats FFA. You've hit a new low on the full-of-shitometer.

And you wonder why your opinion is met with such contempt and disdain.