Ohio Tuskegee Airmen Day will be commemorated for the first time March 29.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American fighter pilots to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Overcoming the great barriers of segregation and discrimination, they became one of the best fighting groups in the history of World War II.
Many years ago, my wife and I had the privilege of befriending a Tuskegee Airman, Major Herndon “Don” Cummings. Major Cummings was exceptional in personality and ability to weave engrossing recounts of his experiences during the war. We met Major Cummings when we joined a team to help with the maintenance and refurbishment of his home with a program known as Rebuilding Together. Throughout the day while we were painting, we learned about the Tuskegee Airmen.