CAF RISE ABOVE® Inspiring young people to RISE ABOVE adversity using the lessons and stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) RISE ABOVE Squadron has launched a new program featuring the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), focused on the social-emotional health of students as they begin the next school year during this worldwide pandemic.
The RISE ABOVE Back-to-School Campaign will provide free electronic resources to support and inspire educators and students to Triumph Over Adversity and work together Photo courtesy Alan Miller to persevere through their challenges. School kick-off resources and “flight plans will be available for PreK, In This Issue - July 2020 primary, elementary, middle, and high schools. Inspiring short videos about WWII Tuskegee Airmen and Women • Tour schedule at a glance Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) are also included to help • Greetings from the educators and students “rise above” crisis challenges. Ambassador team Teachers can use these resources to provide help to • Volunteer Spotlight students setting personal achievement goals for the year. • Tuskegee Airmen: Did you “From its inception CAF RISE ABOVE has been about inspiring young people using the know story of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP,” says Squadron Leader Doug Rozendaal. • Tuskegee Airmen: Quote “This campaign provides us with the opportunity to dramatically expand our reach of the month and carry the message of Triumph Over Adversity through these great examples. We • Our mission in action are proud to be a part of this collaborative educational effort and excited about the program launch.” • Educational resources • Tuskegee Airmen Profiles: The program is sponsored by The Institute for Performance Improvement (TIFPI), a James Everett Bowman performance improvement specialist group dedicated to developing, certifying, and • And then there where supporting school improvement facilitators at state and local education agencies and women! Elizabeth T. at school levels. Other collaborators include Quigg Associates, the Schlechty Center, Hale Associates, Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB), Iberian Consulting, Dozier Mercer University School of Medicine, and the Georgia Rural Health Information • Tuskegee Airmen: Virtual Center. Redwood Educational Technologies provided original content in support of Museum artifact spotlight the initiative. • Shop with a purpose • Join the Top Flight Club • Tuskegee Airmen: Archive photos • WASP Profile: Bernice (Falk)Haydu • WASP: Did you know • WASP: Archive photos • Thank you supporters • For more information
Be sure to watch the Back-to-School Campaign graphic novel that features video interviews with Tuskegee Airman Dr. Harold Brown talking to students about applying the Six Guiding Principles to their lives! In case you missed it!
The Facebook Live interview! CAF RISE ABOVE Leader Doug Rozendaal spoke with Tuskegee Airman Lt Col Harold Brown and WWII Veteran Captain Jack Wichser.
You can also check out conversations with original Tuskegee Airmen in on our webinars.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!! July 22 at 7pm Central
The CAF Red Tail Squadron is hosting another LiveFeed with Meet the CAF Red Tail Squadron Pilots
RISE ABOVE tour schedule at a glance
PLEASE CHECK OUR SCHEDULE ONLINE FOR UPDATES! DATE EVENT LOCATION July 31- August 2 Flying Legends of Victory Tour Sioux Falls, SD P-51C Mustang August 3-9 Flying Legends of Victory Tour Rochester, MN P-51C Mustang September 5-6 Kansas City Airshow New Century, KS RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and P-51C Mustang September 25 Arsenal of Democracy Fly-Over [Postponed from May 8] Washington D.C. P-51C Mustang October 7-11 Tri-State Warbird Museum Batavia, OH RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and P-51C Mustang October 24-25 Thunder Over the Rock Little Rock AFB, AR RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and P-51C Mustang Oct 28-Nov 1 BFTS Flight Museum Terrell, TX RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit November 7-8 Stuart Airshow Stuart, FL RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and P-51C Mustang November 14-15 Joint Base San Antonio Airshow San Antonio, TX RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit and P-51C Mustang
To book RISE ABOVE for your event contact Kristi Younkin, Senior Logistics Coordinator, at [email protected] or call (479) 228-4520
Page 2 GREETINGS FROM THE AMBASSADOR TEAM!
Normally this time of year, there is great excitement in the air as the days, hours and seconds are counted down to the start of EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. The anticipation of the event brings a sense of giddiness, reuniting with our friends old and new, from near and far, and surrounded by the joys of aviation, which for many, inspire dreams to take flight. It’s also that rare time when we are honored to host a couple of the Tuskegee Airmen for the week, and this year we would have an even bigger reason to celebrate, as 2020 would have marked our 10th anniversary at Oshkosh.
Though it’s not in the cards this year, it only gives us reason to be super excited for OSH21! Let the countdown begin to fantastic times ahead!
If you would like to join us at Oshkosh next year or at another event when Volunteer Coordinator the CAF RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit resumes our tour, or maybe you’d like Melanie Burden to help out right now from the comfort of your own home, we are always seeking volunteers to be a part of our team. Please reach out at cafriseabove. org and find out more about what we do.
“My experience as a volunteer with the CAF Red Tail Squadron RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit was very rewarding and it is a memory I will always cherish. I really enjoyed helping to share the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and showing how their strength of character, courage and ability lead to triumph over adversity. They truly serve as inspiration to others to overcome challenges in their own lives and ultimately accomplish their personal and professional hopes and dreams.
I would highly recommend that you experience this volunteer role, as I did. Your appreciation and respect for the Tuskegee Airmen will increase tenfold and you will be enriched by the interaction with the visitors who come to see the exhibit. Their passion and love for the Tuskegee Airmen will amaze you. This story must continue to be told and what better way than through the Traveling Exhibit. I plan to participate again during the next tour season and I would recommend that the same be done by others. It is an experience I will forever hold dear I would encourage everyone to volunteer at CAF Red Tail Squadron RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit.”
~Col Quentin Smith
Page 3 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Ken Mist
My first introduction to the CAF Red Tail Squadron took place at Oshkosh in 2012 through my friend and former Squadron Leader, Bill Shepard. As a Canadian history buff, I knew a little about the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and I was immediately taken by the drive and commitment of the whole team to carry their legacy forward to modern audiences through appearances by the incredible Mustang and the inspiring RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit.
In 2013 I joined the team in Dayton Ohio and began documenting their work through my photography, and one year later I was asked to become a volunteer ambassador, a position I happily accepted as I was just coming up on retirement. Since then I have attended many events across the US and Canada, assisting at the exhibit and crewing the aircraft. Thousands of miles and thousands of faces later, I am still honored to put on the team shirt and meet the public.
By far, our yearly visit to EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh is my favorite event on the calendar. Since 2015 I have had the great joy of acting as escort for the Tuskegee Airmen who we host. Whirlwind days and nights getting them from appointment to appointment, all the time seeing how much they are loved by the adoring crowds that line up to see them, is a true labor of love. I can hardly walk by the end of the day and I have no idea where men like Charles McGee, George Hardy, Harry Stewart and the others get their seemingly limitless energy. The last few years we have been situated at KidVenture which has been especially rewarding as we help EAA guide the next generation of pilots and aviation technicians towards their future. The addition of the story of the WASP is especially exciting.
It’s sad that COVID-19 has resulted in the cancellation of Oshkosh and so many other events on the calendar this year, but I await the call to get back on the road to share the Six Guiding Principles of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP.
AIM HIGH – BELIEVE IN YOURSELF – USE YOUR BRAIN BE READY TO GO – NEVER QUIT – EXPECT TO WIN
Note from the CAF RISE ABOVE team:
We cannot express our gratitude strongly enough for the many years of Ken’s dedication to volunteering and providing us with fantastic photographs!!!
Thank You, Ken!
Page 4 DID YOU KNOW?
On this date, the following Tuskegee Airmen events occurred:
14 July 1944: A “rest camp for colored enlisted men,” located between Termoli and Vasto, Italy, was expected to be in operation by 31 July 1944. (XV Air Force Service Command staff journal entry for 14 Jul 1944)
14 July 1948: Capt. Joseph D. Elsberry resumed command of the 100th Fighter Squadron, a position he had held in May. (100th Fighter Squadron lineage and honors history).
Capt. Joseph D. Elsberry
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“It’s never too late for your country to say that you’ve done a great job for us.” ~ Tuskegee Airman Col. Elmer Jones Photo courtesy John Burley Page 5 OUR MISSION IN ACTION Students who have visited the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit share their letters of thanks to the Tuskegee Airmen.
L-R Tuskegee Airmen Harry Stewart, Oscar Lawton Wilkerson, Lt. Col. Robert "Bob" Friend, Hillard Pouncy, Charles McGee, Harold Brown. Photo courtesy Marsha Bordner Page 6 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Check out our new web site!
The CAF RISE ABOVE website has a wealth of information about the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP and offers resources for educators, youth leaders, parents and students. Check both RISE ABOVE Resource Kits!
Our free, downloadable RISE ABOVE Resource Kits provides users access to posters featuring the Six Guiding Principles, PowerPoint’s, classroom activities and a wealth of material about the Tuskegee Airmen or the WASP.
What teachers and parents have to say: Question How did the materials from CAF RISE ABOVE Resource Kits or visiting the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit benefit both you as a teacher and your students?
Answer I am looking forward to using this material because the story of the Tuskegee Airmen is significant for students to understand their contribution to WWII
The story of the Airmen combines a great story of history with character traits that are exemplified by these posters!
-Greg Cabana Gunston MS Arlington, VA
Page 7 WE NEED YOU!
If you believe, like we do, that the lessons and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP are relevant and important for young people today, we would appreciate your comments and suggestions about the program you have to offer.
“The CAF Red Tail Squadron is one of the few organizations that has a hands- on approach to opening peoples’ eyes to aviation and the history of the Tuskegee Airmen. The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit gives young people the opportunity to find out things that they may never have been exposed to.”
~Tuskegee Airman Leo Roger Gray May 30, 1924 – September 23, 2016 Unit: 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group
Make a one-time or recurring donation to help us ensure that the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP is passed on to future generations, so that their strength of character, courage and ability to triumph over adversity may serve as a means to inspire others to RISE ABOVE obstacles in their own lives and achieve their goals!
Give online, by calling 888-928-0188, or by mail at:
CAF RISE ABOVE 971 Hallstrom Drive Red Wing, MN 55066
The CAF RISE ABOVE® is an educational outreach program of the Commemorative Air Force, (CAF) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax deductible less the value of the benefits given in return for your contribution noted above, if any. CAF FEIN # 74-1484491
Page 8 TUSKEGEE AIRMEN PROFILES: James Everett Bowman Class 44-K-SE 2/1/1945 Flt. Officer T68699 Des Moines, IA
1922– January 13, 2014
Dr. James Bowman graduated from North High school in Des Moines in 1940. As a young man Bowman had only traveled as far as Minnesota. Little did he know he was about to have the experience of a lifetime and live the story that many Americans still want to hear about over 70 years later.
This story however doesn’t have the easiest of beginnings. In the 1940’s racism was alive and well in the United States and young African Americans were still proving their worth as members of the armed forces.
Like all young men at the time, Bowmen registered for the draft. However, when the board president found out he was enrolled in college, he was told to go back to school. “The head of the draft board asked if I was in school and he said we didn’t have many Negroes in college. As far as he was concerned, as long as I was keeping my grades up, he wasn’t going to send me to the war,” says Bowman. So, he continued on with his degree in Biology and lived his life like any other college student. There was something nagging in the back of his mind though. He remembers the exact moment he heard about the Perl Harbor bombing. “I was at the library on Iowa State University campus when I heard Pearl Harbor had been bombed. At the time, I thought what a lot of us thought, ‘What’s Pearl Harbor?’”
America was now a part of the war. Though the draft board told him he would not be drafted to serve, Bowman still felt the need to serve. “I’d go to church and see my friends’ parents and they’d say ‘Jimmy what are you still doing here? My son is over there getting shot at.’ Well, I got to thinking about that and decided I wanted to carry my load. I was thinking ‘well, I do want to fly an airplane’,” he explains.
That inkling of an idea became a dream and soon Bowman answered his call to duty. He entered the Army Air Corps in 1943 at Camp Dodge, Iowa and was sent to Biloxi, Mississippi for his initial training. He had the dream of flying and the restrictions of racism following him the whole way.
As he was headed to Biloxi, he had a layover in St. Louis. He and his white traveling partners got off of the train and when he went to go re-board for the next leg of his journey he was not allowed to board at the same place as the whites. Trains were segregated starting in St. Louis and as a black person I could not get on the train where the white people were getting on. I had to get onto the ‘Jim Crow’ car that was up close to the coal car and locomotive. The coal dust would blow off onto the black folks,” he explains. ‘Jim Crow’ was the name of local laws in the United States enacted between 1876 and 1965. They mandated segregation in all public facilities in southern states with a supposedly “separate but equal” status for African Americans.
Like all other facilities in the south the military training areas were segregated. Not only was the government still limiting access to facilities but Bowman’s fellow Soldiers made him aware of where he stood in the ranks...in the back. Upon arriving in Mississippi, Bowman had to wait to get onto the troop carrier until all the white troops had gotten on. “I had to walk through all of them to go to the back because blacks had to be in the back.Some of them got smart with me and were pushing and shoving me. I couldn’t do anything
Page 9 because there was one of me and what seemed like a hundred of them,” Bowman explains his first memory of being in Mississippi.
During his training he learned how to fly and fight as a member of an all African American team. Though the military allowed African Americans in, they still segregated the missions, facilities and units. Bowman finished his training in January 1945. He got his wings and became an officer and fighter pilot. Something that was unheard of only 3 years earlier. The war was over only months later and Bowman never saw battle, but he still experienced the opportunity of a lifetime and proved that he and other African Americans were more than capable of piloting aircraft in the US Army Air Corps.
Lt. Col. Grant ‘Goo’ Gooch, 132nd Fighter Wing, Operations Support Commander and F-16 pilot is just one of the many young African American pilots in the U.S. military today. Bowman, and others like him, paved the way for Gooch and fellow aviators. “They laid the path for others to say that it’s something that can be done by an African American. They showed us that anybody regardless of race, creed and religion can do anything if they set their mind to it.” Though the civil rights movement has progressed leaps and bounds since the 1940’s, Gooch says that there is still a stigma associated with the elite status of a pilot in the military. He says that many youths of today don’t know any pilots so it is hard for them to understand that it is even a possibility for themselves.
“The sad part is that there are not more African American pilots in the Air Force today. When I talk to schools, they are surprised to know that being a pilot is even something that can be a goal. They only know their own environment or situation. We need to continue to let young African Americans know that this is something that can be achieved,” explains Gooch.
Bowman started his life in a small town in Iowa during the Great Depression. He set his goals high and achieved them. After retiring from military service, Bowman returned to the Des Moines area and attended Drake University, gaining his BS at Drake. From Drake, he went to Texas where he taught education and psychology at Wiley College, Marshall, Texas, in concert with obtaining his Master’s at Wiley. After his time at Wiley College, he returned to the Des Moines area and taught science at Nathan Weeks Middle School for nine years. Eventually, Dr. Bowman entered administrative roles in the Des Moines educational community, advancing to Assistant Superintendent of Instruction for the Des Moines Public Schools.
Dr. Bowman was an active leader in various civic and community organizations. He lectured nationally on multi-cultural educational issues, black history, and his experiences as a “Tuskegee Airman.” Locally, Dr. James E. Bowman was one of the founding members of the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center’s board of directors.
Listen to retired Tuskegee Flight Officer Dr. James E. Bowman share a few of his memories.
Sources: • AAREG • Vimeo • North High Hall of Fame • Des Moines Register
Page 10 AND THEN THERE WERE WOMEN! Elizabeth T. Dozier
Just like all the other Tuskegee Army Angels of Mercy, Elizabeth T. Dozier arrived at Tuskegee Army Flying School (TAAF) as a second lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps in 1942. Unlike most of her nursing sisters, she was a widow and one of the older nurses - about 35-years-old. She was born in South Carolina around 1907. Before coming to TAAF, she served as a supervisor of nurses at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. In the 1940 census, Dozier was listed as a graduate nurse at Grady Hospital. This public hospital had the first training school for nurses in the state of Georgia.
Dozier worked as a surgical nurse on the base and was promoted to first lieutenant by 1946. According to one station hospital roster, she had transferred to Lockbourne Army Air Base in Ohio in 1946. In a nursing newsletter she wrote for the Lockbourne Army Air Base (LAAB), she was one of five nurses who reported from TAAF on May 3, 1946. She also wrote that she along with Beatrice Hill were the principal chief nurses during that year.
On a side note, in the March 15, 1946 issue of the base Hawk’s Cry “ LTs Dozier and Scott return to duty after brief illnesses.” Even the nurses had to nurse each other sometimes. (1942 yearbook, Family Search section at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, the 16th U.S. Census, Hawk’s Cry base newspaper, Lockbourne Army Air Base nursing article on March 15, 1947, Atlanta, Georgia City government website.)
Thank you to Pia Winters Jordan, Project Director of the Tuskegee Airmen Nurses Project, for sharing with us the incredible legacy of nurses who served alongside the Airmen. We are honored to feature their history and stories.
Be sure to visit Tuskegee Airmen Nurses Project for more information!
Pia Jordan, Project Director (Photo by Chris Levister)
Page 11 Visit Tuskegee Airmen Profiles and take a closer look at the lives and accomplishments of some of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. New profiles are added regularly and will grow as the staff and volunteers of the CAF Red Tail Squadron continue their tireless efforts to research and share the remarkable stories of these important American figures.
We invite you to share stories and photos with us to feature! Contact LaVone [email protected], by calling (888) 928-0188, or by mail at:
CAF RISE ABOVE 971 Hallstrom Drive Red Wing, MN 55066
CAF Red Tail Squadron Virtual Museum Artifact Spotlight
The CAF Red Tail Squadron Virtual Museum is a community collaborative effort, made up of photos and information of artifacts pertaining to the Tuskegee Airmen submitted from all around the country. Anyone with an item of significance to the Tuskegee Airmen, or has visited the location of a memorial in tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, can share their knowledge by submiting your own virtual artifacts.
Memorializations on Columbus AFB, Mississippi
Many of the buildings, structures and streets at Columbus Air Force Base are dedicated to an outstanding Airman for their brave actions in the line of duty. The hangars on base are no exception.
Here are a few dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen. • ALVA TEMPLE ROAD • TUSKEGEE AIRMEN DISPLAY • WALKER CENTER
Page 12 SHOP WITH WITH A PURPOSE!
Find great treasures AND honor the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and WASP! Visit our online store. Shipping is included for state-side orders!
For $99 you can join the exclusive ranks of the Top Flight Club!
When you join, you’ll get the special members- only Top Flight Club hat and annual pin. You will receive a different pin each year of membership.
You will also receive a Top Flight Club membership card giving you a 10% discount on all purchases.
Become part of this awesome collaboration with the CAF Red Tail Squadron to honor the Tuskegee Airmen!
Hear Brad Lang’s thoughts on the importance of joining the Top Flight Club!
Brad is one the CAF Red Tail Squadron P-51C Mustang pilots, and son of Tuskegee Airman, Donald Lang, Sr.
Photo courtesy Jeff Berlin Page 13 ARCHIVE PHOTOS - TUSKEGEE AIRMEN UNLESS NOTED ALL PHOTOS ARE COURTESY OF THE AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY, MAXWELL AFB, ALABAMA
The Class of 42-D, 2nd Lieutenants Clarence C. Jamison, Charles Dryden, and Sidney P. Brooks
Lawrence A. Brown Class 44-K-SE 2/1/1945 Flt. Officer T68700 Jamaica, NY
Clinton McIntyre-Class 45-E-SE 2nd Lt. 02075549 Bronx, NY
Class 42-E Top: Lee Rayford, George Knox. Bottom: James Knighten, Sherman White Page 14 WASP PROFILE: Bernice (Falk) Haydu Class 44-W-7
“Follow your dreams. There may be pitfalls along the way but just pick yourself up, dust yourself off and continue on your way.” Bernice “Bee” Falk Haydu (born December 15, 1920) was an American aviator and Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) in World War II. Haydu remained active in aviation and as an advocate for women pilots into her 90s.
Bernice Falk was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from high school there in 1938. While working as a secretary, she enrolled in aviation classes on weekends, because her brother Lloyd was in the Army Air Force and she found that she also liked flying. In 1944 she attended WASP flight training in Sweetwater, Texas.
After completing training in March 1944, Bee Falk was assigned to Pecos Army Airfield as an engineering test pilot and a utility pilot for the remainder of the WASP program. After the war, Bee Haydu ferried aircraft and opened a Cessna dealership. She owned a flight school with several other veterans, and worked for Indamer, a New York company that sold aircraft parts to India. She also participated in airshows, and in two Powder Puff Derbies. In 1971, she was seriously injured as a passenger in an airshow flight in Ottawa.
Falk was president of the Order of Fifinella, an alumnae group for WASPs, from 1975 to 1978; during her tenure WASPs were officially recognized as veterans by Congress and from 1978 to 1980 she was president of Women Military Aviators. She was one of the three surviving WASPs present in the Oval Office in 2009, when Barack Obama awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the WASPs for their service. In May 2000 Bee was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey, and in 2015 she received an honorary doctorate from Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.
Bee Falk married fellow aviator Joe Haydu in 1951. They had three children together, Joseph, Steven, and Diana, born in 1952, 1953, and 1954, respectively. She was widowed in 2001, and spent her later life in Florida. Haydu published a memoir of World War II, Letters Home 1944-1945, in 2008. She gave memorabilia and an oral history interview to the Library of Congress and donated other materials to the Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas. There is a plaque commemorating the work of Bee Falk Haydu at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey at Teterboro Airport, and her WASP uniform is on display at the National Air and Space Museum.
Sources: Women in Aviation Wikipedia
Bee dismounting a PT-17
Page 15 Visit WASP PROFILES and take a closer look at the lives and accomplishments of the Women Airforce Service Pilots in order to inspire others, especially girls and young women, to RISE ABOVE expectations and find a greater appreciation of their potential.
New profiles are added regularly and will grow as the staff and volunteers of the RISE ABOVE: WASP continue their tireless efforts to research and share the remarkable stories of these important American figures.
We invite you to share stories and photos with us to feature! Contact LaVone [email protected], by calling (888) 928-0188, or by mail at:
CAF RISE ABOVE 971 Hallstrom Drive Red Wing, MN 55066
DID YOU KNOW?
In February of 1944, the WASP were issued their distinctive blue uniforms. The shade had a particular name of Santiago blue.
Page 16 Check out the trailer from the CAF RISE ABOVE: WASP movie that will be shown in the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit!
Be sure to visit the RISE ABOVE: WASP area of the website! We invite you take a deeper dive to learn more about the remarkable WASPs, and be inspired to tap into the ability within yourself to overcome barriers and find success.
Download the free CAF RISE ABOVE: WASP Resource Kit For use by teachers, youth leaders and parents.
Upon submission of the form, you will receive an email with a link to access the materials.
Page 17 ARCHIVE PHOTOS - WASP UNLESS NOTED ALL PHOTOS ARE COURTESY OF THE TWU LIBRARIES’ WOMAN’S COLLECTION, TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY, DENTON, TEXAS
July 8, 1943
Dearest Sis, Kindly note change of address. I am so happy to be here and can hardly realize that I am actually a part of this marvelous new program. It was a real thrill when I first saw these tremendous air fields, the huge hangars, and the beautiful planes in the air; my heart simply started to pound.
Love, Spook Adaline Alma Blank WASP Class 43-8 Avenger Field, Sweetwater, TX
June 6, 1945 became a major turning point of WWII. Though WASP weren't allowed in combat, nor even outside the U.S. for their operations, they were there in spirit, because WASPs like Barbara Erikson London and Evelyn Sharp ferried aircraft like C-47s and P-51s, that would be used in the D-Day invasion. Page 18 Thank you to the donors who have joined us at the supporter level of $100 or more. Pledge your support and join the ranks! Names are listed in the online Honorary Flight Log.
* denotes a new Top Flight Club member of the CAF Red Tail Squadron Kenneth S Adams * Katherine Campbell Kathy Freeman William K Adams Aaron Carr Lois Gardner Arline L Akina Dale Carrison Keith L Garside Joseph W Albright Brenda Carroll Michael Gascon Jean Christophe Allaire Herbert & Jacqueline Carson * Dr. Hillary Gaston, Sr. Albert J Allen Oliver Champion Gerald Z Gibian Gerrit J Allen Arnie Chapman Clinton H Giles Michael Allen Clarence Childs Isaac T Gillam IV Rosenwald Delano Altheimer * Mitchell Christian William H Goines Todd & Teri Anderson Mary Lou Ciborek Catherine H Golden John Anderson Joyce Clay-Sanders Robert Granucci Mark W Ansbro Robert J Cochran Brenda S Grape Kenneth W Arinwine Enorris Conic James Gray * Lydia Arnold Victor Conti Thomas R Green Alvornia Ashby Garland Core Jr Corvan Greer Larry Askew Hilda Cox Deborah Greer Lonnell Autman Walter Cox Edward Greer John Ayres Lawrence Crawford Russell L Gregory Jr John Baker Carol Crenshaw James Thomas Grimes Jr Edward R Balotsky C Cullers James E Grogan Harris Barnes III Rial Cummings Raymond O Gross Mary K Barneyback James Custus Paul Guercio Frank Bell Mark Daly Edward Hadley Alan Belluomini Jay Davies Clara M Hall Christina Beltz Lula Davis Paul W Hanreeder Mary Beyer Gregory Dayne Lon Hanson Robert Birmingham James Diggs Kenneth Hanson Thomas Blalock Joseph A Dorn Robert Hatfield John Bloom Thomas A Drehs Benny F Hawkins Ted Boehlke Lucy Drulias Roosevelt Haywood III Samuel Boles Arthur Drye Ole Helgerson Eleanor F Bookwalter Marylouise Dunham John Hert * Kenneth Boyd John David Eads Jack Hickey Judy Bracken Robert T Eady Sr Yolanda Hicks Oscar J Brashear Irene Edge Claude Hildreth III * Carolyn Brooks Robert Elder Roland W Hill Dr. Stephen Brooks Michael W Everett Steven A Hillyard Willie R Brooks Jr Roger L Fahey Muriel N Hinkle John B Brown Allen Farrington Elbert C Hinkson Harold Brown Anna Marie Ferguson Russell W Hipplewitz * Col Simon Brown Gloria Ferguson Dennis Hobart Venice Brown Joseph Feskanin Bonnie House John L Bryan Sr Gregory Fields Ulysses Howard Sr John Buckley Sandra S Foley-Smith Thomas T Howard Michael Buckley Charles Ford Lynn Hughes John Burkes William Ford Peter Hutt Henry L Butler Verdis Ford Cynthia Irvin Sandra Butts Zenobia Ford Diane Jackson in honor of her Robert Caldwell Peter Forker father, Tuskegee Airman George I. Rohlann L Callender Edward France Smith, Jr. Donald Callender Elmer Freeman Page 19 Andrea Jackson Lucille Zenzele Magwood C L Riley Jr Avery M Jackson Heide Marie Vivian Ritter Dallas Jackson Irvin Marsh Charles Rivers Diane Jackson Richard Marx Stephen Robertson Evelyn Jackson Benjamin Mason Clarence Robie John Jackson Merylean Matthews Adam M Robinson Jr Robert Lewis Jackson Gloria Matthews Henry Romero Richard Jansen Alton Mattox Kathie Rones In honor of Elmer Mazie Jenkins Stanley E Mc Grew Embry Rones Farris T Johnson Richard F Mc Laughlin Wilbur Rouse Jacqueline Johnson Charles D McCarthy Richard Rozman Weyman Johnson Larry McEver Elizabeth Rucker Jerry Johnson Beverly McNair Floyd Ruff Julius Johnson Daniel McNamara Earl B Ruffner Charles Jonah Isa-Kae Meksin R W Russell David Jones Carol Meltz Gordon Rutledge Milton Jones Eugene Meyer William J Rutledge Ronald F Jones Carlton W Miller George Schaaf Pat Keefe William J Miller Gary Schoennauer Henry R Kelly Sr Herman Mitchell Bruce Schofield John Kemble Nina Mitchell James G Schuman Cora E Kendrick Billy J Moore Helmut Schwab Edward P Keough Leori Moore Ethel G Scott Herbert J Kessler Frank M Morales * Stephanie Secrease Allan Kiley Richard Moretto S J Sedita James King James Nafziger Matthew S Sena Paula Knickerbocker Bruce Nagle William A Shaver Ronald Knight Marina Z Nelson Jane Shedoudy Ernest W Kosty Frank Noonan Lisa Shirley Kyles Harry Oden Donnie Simpson Terry Lacrosse Gregory & Rhoda Olsen Jane A Sims Brenda Landman Beverly Olson Robert Sims Lynne Larkin Mark O’Malley Marcus L Sisson Terry Leack Robert E O’Rourke Lisa K Smiley Donald H Leavenworth Carole Page Charles R Smith Ralph V Lemes Helen H Page Gloria E Smith Dolores Leonard John E Paolo Frank Smith Edward Leonard II * Steven Palmer Sennie Smith Russell Letobar Glenn Parker Quentin J Smith Jr Linda Levine Kenneth M Parks Walter Smith Nathaniel W Lewis R W Perry Leroy F Spaulding Gregory Lincoln Robert A Peters Donna Sprott William Lindsey Mahlon Plowman Ross Staffhorst Craig Littlefield Roger Plummer William L Stebbins John Lloyd Richard E Poole Glandale Stewart Patricia J Logsdon Dwight Powell James O Suber Vondetta E Longus Milton D Quigless Jr Elmore Sullivan Billy D Louis Richard J Quirk Dorothy Swafford Thomas Luchka Sally Rajamaki in memory of Don Michael Sweet Gerald Ludwig Hinz Rita A Swensson Charles Lutz William Ramos James Tanksley Robert Lydon Carol Ramsey Zynobia Butler Tatum Barbara A Lynch-Freeman Robert Ratcliff A R Taylor Julius Lyons Ray Reid Gretchen Taylor Peter T Macy David Richardson Sanford Taylor
Page 20 Fred Terry Ricardo Vecchione Charles V Wilkins Bobby Thomas Wardella Velasco Vincent Wilkins Lillian Thomas in memory of Rose Donna Marie Verchio Douglas Williams Thomas Gregory L Wade Edith Williams Nancy Thompson Donald J Waldvogel Patricia Williams Patricia P Thompson Anita M Ward Philip Williams Pamela Threets * Mr. & Mrs. Lorenzo Washington Margaret Wilson John Toles Jr H Waters Ritchie Wilson Richard Tomasello Bobby L Watson Calvin Wims Walter Townsend Chester Weatherly Lee Worthen David Trotter John Weeks Edward Wright Mary Troudt Paul A Weiser Charles Yost Toni Tschampion Larry Welch Sheila Wynn Leonard A Tschirhart Otis Weldon Shirley Yost Cynthia A Tucker Harold E Wells David Zuck Janice Tucker Frank West African Methodist Episcopal John P Upchurch Lisa Weston Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate In Patricia D Usphs Richard White memory of Monroe Dixon Jr * Andrew Valentine David Whiting Harry Van Dusen William Whitney
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Please mail correspondence or To bring RISE ABOVE to For general inquiries, donations to our home office at: your event, contact: contact: CAF RISE ABOVE® LaVone Kay 971 Hallstrom Drive Kristi Younkin Senior Logistics Coordinator Marketing Director Red Wing, MN 55066 [email protected] [email protected] (479) 228-4520 (888) 928-0188
Doug Rozendaal Melanie Burden Squadron Leader Volunteer Coordinator [email protected] [email protected]
Kim Pardon Public Relations/Media [email protected]
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