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6 - December 5, 2018 www.charlestonchronicle.net The Chronicle Hiram E. Mann Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Celebrates 20th Anniversary by Min. Anna Stevens Bright all photos by Mr. Herman G. Bright The Mark Clark Hall on the campus of The Citadel was the historic and elegant setting of the Hiram E. Mann Chapter of The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. 20th Anniversary Gala. Serving as the master of ceremony was Major General (USAF Re- tired) Harold “Mitch” Mitchell. Members of the R. B. Stall High School AFJROTC posted the colors. After the presentation of the national an- them, the Reverend Evon Robinson delivered the invoca- tion, and he later gave the bene- diction. Tony Clyburn, President of Audible Commu- nications, gave the welcome, history, and recognition of two Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen who were present for the event. One member of this docu- mented distinguished group of African-American pilots of WWII, attending the gala was Second Lieutenant (USAF) Eugene Richardson, Jr., Ed.D. Following his military service, he devoted his career to educa- Herman and Anna Bright tion-supporting and inspiring children in their journey to General Harris with Dr. Richardson and Colonel Hughes adulthood. It was in Walter- boro that Dr. Richardson white, he experienced the ef- medley, oven roasted herbed evaluation system for all Air learned to fly P- 40s and P-47 fects of racial segregation dur- red potatoes, tossed green Force nuclear and conven- aircrafts. He received his un- ing his time in the United salad, assorted desserts, and tional forces; oversees Air dergraduate degree from Tem- States Air Force. The iced tea. Force counterintelligence oper- ple University and both Tuskegee Air Force Base was The highlight of the evening ations; investigates fraud, master’s and doctorate degrees segregated; therefore, he could was the message from the waste, and abuse; oversees from Penn State. Presently, he not live on the base. As soon as keynote speaker, Lieutenant criminal investigations and resides in Philadelphia, PA and he completed his training tour, General Stacye D. Harris, In- provides oversight of com- regularly visits schools telling he had to get off the base be- spector General of the United plaints resolution programs. the story of the Tuskegee Air- cause he was white. Presently, States Air Force, Office of the General Harris is responsible men. he lives in Florida and is a Secretary of the Air Force, for two field operating agen- Lieutenant Colonel (USAF member of the General Daniel Washington, D.C., who was cies: the Air Force Inspection Retired) Robert “Bob” Hughes (Chappie) James Chapter of introduced by Major General Agency and the Air Force Offi- was the other documented the Tuskegee Airmen. Mitchell. In this capacity, Gen- cer of Special Investigations. original Tuskegee Airman who Following the recognition of eral Harris reports to the Sec- Prior to General Harris’ cur- was on hand for this celebra- Dr. Richardson and Colonel retary and Chief of Staff of the rent position, President Barack tory event. He was a former Hughes, James Hampton Air Force on matters concern- Obama nominated her to be aviation instructor who helped blessed the food. The succulent ing Air Force effectiveness, ef- promoted to lieutenant general to train the late Lieutenant meal was prepared and served ficiency, and the military and become the Assistant Vice Colonel (USAF Retired) by Flavours of Charleston. The discipline of active duty, Air Chief of Staff and Director of Hiram E. Mann and other audience feasted on lemon Force Reserve, and Air Na- the Air Staff for the U.S. Air Tuskegee Airmen at the parmesan chicken with white tional Guard forces. She also Force. The Senate confirmed Tuskegee Air Force Base in wine sauce, braised beef Sicil- provides inspection policy and the nomination, making her the Alabama. Although he is ian, fresh roasted vegetable oversees the inspection and first African-American woman Rev. and Mrs. Evon Robinson to achieve the rank of lieu- cations Net, 15th Airlift tenant general for the Air Squadron JBC, BOEING, Force. Experimental Aircraft Associa- In her message to the audi- tion, Air Traffic Control ence, she focused on a time in Tower CHS, Dr. Larry Fergu- history when women couldn’t son, DMD; USS Yorktown vote and when African-Ameri- Patriots Point, the Boy Scouts, can men could vote, but had and C- 17 Flight Simulator trouble trying to do so. She em- Group JBC. Kellye Whittaker phasized that it is now decades volunteered many hours assist- after the end of World War II, ing with the planning for the and more women than ever are gala. Dr. Ann Carmichael, “seated at the table,” letting Dean of the University of their voices be heard. General South Carolina, Salkehatchie Harris’ main three points upon Campus, was recognized for which she expounded were: her outstanding support of make sure your voice can be spreading the legacy of the heard-be “seated at the table”-if Tuskegee Airmen. Colonel you have earned it, find and fol- Terrence Adams, Commander low your passion in life, and ex- of the 628th Air Base Wing, pand your service through Joint Base Charleston, was Tuskegee Airmen Interna- also recognized. Closing re- tional. Before she concluded marks were made by Thomas her message, she mentioned Jackson, the president of the her most memorable moments chapter. in the Air Force: flying the C- The Hiram E. Mann Chap- 141, her role of the Mobilization ter was founded in 1998 and is Assistant Commander of the a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organiza- US Africa Command tion, currently serving Walter- (AfriCon), and visiting the boro, Charleston, and nearby World Trade Center and see- communities. In addition to its ing the Tuskegee Airmen. She work, preserving and sharing formed a bond with General the history and legacy of the Benjamin O. Davis, Lt. Col. Tuskegee Airmen, the chapter Hiram Mann, and Lt. Col. awards college scholarships to Leo Gray. It was from them high school graduates seeking R B Stall AFJROTC she learned the history of the careers in aeronautics. Other Tuskegee Airmen. officers in the chapter are Cor- As the program continued, nelius Plumber, vice-president; Cornelius Plumber gave the James Lynch, second vice- founder’s presentation. Colonel president; Vondeste Fish- Marsha Elam, one of the burne, secretary; Dorn Slaugh- founders of the Hiram E. ter, treasurer; James Hampton, Mann Chapter and the organi- financial secretary; Franklin zation’s first president, was on Smalls, parliamentarian and hand for remarks. Barron chaplin; Johnnie Thompson, Wilkins recognized the sup- historian; Eric Harris, public porters and sponsors: relations officer; and Barron College of Charleston Race Wilkins, immediate past presi- and Social Justice Initiative, dent. The Citadel, ACE Communi- Herman and Anna Bright with Dr. Richardson Hiram E. Mann Chapter Group and Colonel Hughes.

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