Tuskegee Airmen Story Told at Peachtree City, GA Hangar May 20
PEACHTREE CITY, Georgia. (May 15, 2017) – The renowned Tuskegee Airmen and their successors in the U.S. Air Force broke many barriers on their way to aviation history. Researcher/Historian Zellie Orr and a panel of Tuskegee Airmen and successors will discuss the stories of this famed group at the May 20 Living Aviation History program, presented by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing Museum. The program will begin at 11 a.m. in the museum hangar located at 1200 Echo Ct., Peachtree City, Georgia. The building is adjacent to Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field. General admission is $10, veterans and those serving in active military service will be admitted for free.
Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. discusses a just completed strafing mission with two of his pilots. U.S. Air Force photo
Originally aided by Eleanor Roosevelt and others who supported the aspirations of African-Americans to fly in the military, Tuskegee Airmen went on to set many types of combat and other records during World War II. Struggles awaited after the War, in spite of the obstacles, the next generation of airmen continued to shatter barriers. Orr will tell the story of how the 332nd Fighter Group won the first USAF Worldwide (Conventional Class) Aerial Gunnery Competition in 1949, and how 55 years later, she located the “missing” (three-foot high) trophy presented to them. Panelists will discuss their aviation experiences and stories to round out this discussion.
"Zellie Orr has done years of detailed research in developing the narrative she will portray at her Living History Series presentation, said program moderator Rick Ector. “The result of her work is a totally engaging story that she presents with enthusiasm and passion. It's a story history enthusiasts won't want to miss."
For more information about Living Aviation History Days or the CAF Dixie Wing Warbird Museum, please go to www.dixiewing.org.
About the CAF Dixie Wing Warbird Museum
The CAF Dixie Wing, based in Peachtree City, Ga., was founded in 1987. The Wing, one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force, maintains and flies seven WWII aircraft including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair and rare types such as the SBD Dauntless dive bomber and P-63A Kingcobra. The Dixie Wing organizes two large events a year -- WWII Heritage Days and the Atlanta Warbird Weekend. The unit, composed of 300 volunteers, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that relies on contributions of time and funds to carry out the mission of the CAF. For more information, go to www.dixiewing.org.
The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Dallas, the organization has more than 11,000 members and operates a fleet of more than 166 WWII aircraft. www.commemorativeairforce.org
Contact:
Steve Forsyth
Public Information Officer
CAF Dixie Wing
770-714-7750 (C)
