Archer-Ragsdale AZ Chapter

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Phoenix, AZ www.aractai.org

MINUTES: ARAC MONTHLY TELECONFERENCE June 27, 2020 2:00 PM Arizona Time

I. CALL TO ORDER: At 2:05 PM, President, Dick Toliver called the meeting to order.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGANCE: Iain Lanphier

After welcome remarks, the President introduced the great grandson of Brig. Gen. Charles McGee and ARAC youth member, Iain Lanphier, to lead the chapter in the Pledge of Allegiance. Iain did a super job! It is noteworthy that Iain, his mother, Erin, and grand aunt, Dr. Charlene McGee-Smith, had the honor of joining Gen McGee in the Oval Office as the President pinned on the rank of Brig. Gen. This memorable occasion took place in the afternoon of Feb 4, 2020, where later that evening, the McGee family were gallery guests at President Trump's State of the Union Address.

III. MOMENTS OF SILENCE: Dick Toliver informed us of the passing of Ivie Giles on Sunday, June 7, 2020. Ivie Giles, a DOTA and a retired USAF Pilot, was born on December 15, 1925 in Oklahoma. He entered the Army Air Corps in January 1944. After Basic Training, he was assigned to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama for Flight Training. He completed the training in Class 45 D and attained the rank of Flight Officer. Ivie was discharged in 1946 after WWII ended. Upon returning to civilian life Ivie attended college and received a BS degree and license in Pharmacy in 1951. Ivie reentered the Air Force as an officer/pilot and served during the . Ivie and his wife Barbara had four sons and was pre-deceased by his wife and son Gerald. Ivie's ashes will be inurned Jul 20, 2020 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Cave Creek along with his wife Barbara. Dick will advise the ARAC regarding the Giles' family requests.

IV. INVOCATION/REPORT ON SHUT-INS: ARAC Chaplain, Pastor Jim Porter, was not present for the meeting as he was officiating a funeral. Bill Norwood was asked to give the invocation.

V. PRESIDENT REMARKS: Dick Toliver stated that due to the pandemic, ARAC will be a virtual organization until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

VI. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA: A motion was made and seconded to accept the agenda with a minor addition James Modeste and Dave Toliver, respectively.

VII. OFFICERS REPORTS:

A. President: Dick Toliver reported that the ARAC BOD and various committees will continue to meet via teleconference as the "new normal." The resetting of ARAC, selection of committee chairpersons, and committee members will continue and make timely reports accordingly. The President was pleased to announce the position of Vice President was filled when the BOD selected James Modeste.

B. Vice President: As the new Vice President, James Modeste brings a wide range of experience to leadership of the chapter. The following is a brief snapshot of his ex

- Over 40 years of schooling and aviation experience and is currently President & CEO of TeeBird Air, Inc, Phoenix. Mr. Modeste is a recognized expert in aviation with a BS in Aeronautical Science from Embrey-Riddle. In his early aviation years, James flew in the US Navy and afterwards was the leading Multi-Crew Flight Training Instructor with Lufthansa and Pam Am International Flight Academy, Phoenix. Currently, James is Chief Training Officer for Airgo Flight Training Flight Training Academy and its FAR Part Chief/Asst Chief Flight Instructor.

C. Secretary: Dave Toliver announced the addition of new individuals to our membership: Steve Campbell and Carl Drummond as Heritage members; Brandon Gipson and Christine Martinez as regular members.

- Dave also gave a brief update of the tragic shooting that critically wounded his grandson (Darian) and his fatally wounded his girlfriend (Isabella Thallas) on Jun 10, 2020. The two were walking Darian's dog near the Coors Baseball Field in Denver, CO. Witnesses were able to aid law enforcement in apprehending the shooter, who is awaiting hearings.

- Darian's health is upgraded to serious, while Dave's son, Eric, is readying Darian's apartment to accommodate his recovery. Darian also sends many thanks for well wishes. Eric was able to trace and retrieve Darian's dog from a local pound several days later. Dog, Rocco, and master are back together again.

D. Treasurer: Nate Carr gave an excellent account of the various ARAC accounts. Bill Norwood and Ron Hilliard motioned and second the report, respectively.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

A. Public Relations Committee: Chairman Joseph A. Olano announced the first bi-annual ARAC Newsletter mailed out the week of June 22, 2020. Joseph also announced the committee members: Ron Hilliard, Christine Martinez, and Patricia Arreola. Joseph gave a summary of his work experience and expressed a major outreach to the student group not targeted for aviation careers but more inclined toward professional trade jobs such as communications, first responders, electricians, construction, air conditioning, etc.

B. Heritage Committee: Chairperson Carol Gleed Weaver will be joined by other heritage members in the Chapter: Steve Campbell, Nate Carr, Carl Drummond, Erin Lanphier, Ron McGee, Lincoln Ragsdale, Kathryn Modeste, and others. One of the first tasks of the Committee is to create a book that will began with a focus on the seventeen DOTAs with ties to the State of Arizona, then widows and heritage members. It was mentioned that the Military DD Form 14 would be a great source with which to begin. The expected completion time for the book project is expected is nine to ten months.

IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

X. NEW BUSINESS:

- The President combined Agenda Item IX and X due to the need to get the Program Planning Committee (PPC) up and running. The duties of the PPC are to plan current programs and make recommendations for new programs and services for the chapter. The PPC, in conjunction with the Ways and Means Committee, will establish in an annual program with at least one fundraiser and/or one other social event per year.

- Our new vice president, James Modeste has expressed an interest in finding volunteers for this committee. Accordingly, members were encouraged to contact James Modeste or president as soon as possible to offer your services in these areas. Contact information for the President and Vice President in published in newsletter sent via email.

- Please be advised that the Project to Get A Local Road/Highway Named After the will be worked in this committee.

XI. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAPTER: There were no significant comments, so the President offered the following closing comments:

A. CLOSING COMMENTS: Dick Toliver

- Ladies and gentlemen, our communities and nation are desperately seeking answers to the persistent scourge of COVID-19 and the recent social and racial upheaval. Therefore, allow me to offer two great examples to consider: The Tuskegee Airmen and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

-- In 1945, a group of over 100 black officers boldly protested the racist military leadership at Freeman Field, Indiana thus, initiating the first nonviolent protest against a rigidly segregated and powerful military establishment. The so-called "Freeman Filed Mutiny" was a series of incidents in which members of the 477th Bombardment Group attempted to integrate an all-white officers' club. The mutiny resulted in 162 separate arrests of black officers, some of them twice. Three were court-martialed on relatively minor charges. One was convicted.

-- The mutiny is generally regarded by historians of the as an important step toward full integration of the armed forces and as a model for later efforts to integrate public facilities through civil disobedience. Justice was finally served when President Harry Truman ordered the desegregation of the armed forces in 1948 with the Executive Order 9981. Although many whites in the military resisted the order, this was a major civil rights victory for African Americans. It took decades before the Freeman Field charges were finally resolved.

-- Ten years after the Freeman Filed Mutiny, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched his Nonviolent Protest for Justice and Social Change in the "Cradle of the Confederacy." Many believed Dr. King considered, in part, the legacy of the Tuskegee airmen. However, the very core of his philosophy was based upon his great capacity to love and his foundation of faith.

- The Tuskegee Airmen's incredible legacy of service and Dr. King's legacy of faith, forgiveness, and love have stood the test of time and are still relevant today. As President of ARAC, I strongly encourage you to let us keep our focus on the stated missions of TAI and ARAC. Let us keep on doing what we have been doing, especially in reaching the youths across the valley, throughout the state, and throughout the Western Region. ARAC's contributions in scholarships in Arizona, the National Scholarship Fund, and Tuskegee University have been particularly noteworthy.

- I humbly submit that as we strive to accomplish our mission with determination, passion, and vigor, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITES BETTER PLACES IN WHICH TO LIVE!

XII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 PM

MEMBERS IN ON TELEPHONIC CALL

Patricia Arreola Ron McGee Benita Beckles James Modeste Nate Carr Bill Norwood Ted Dowd Dave Toliver Diana Gregory Gail Toliver Ron Hilliard Peggy Toliver Erin Lanphier Richard Toliver Iain Lanphier Valetta Toliver Christine Martinez Carol Weaver