December 2012 Newsletter - Tuskegee Airmen San Diego

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
Editor: Oscar D. Teel
President: Paulette Mello
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
President Paulette Mello
Greetings Chapter Members:
Happy New Year’s! Hard to believe 2013 is already upon us. It was great seeing those who
attended the Annual Meeting/Christmas Party
last month. The food and fellowship was great
and I have vowed to fast for the rest of 2013…
well, not really. 2012 was an interesting year
that had good and not so good times (speaking
on a personal note). The world did not end, we
kind of made it through the Fiscal Cliff (I am so
burnt out hearing that phrase), and we are
blessed to embark on a new year. Make it
count.
As you all should know by now, this will be my
last newsletter submission as President of our
chapter. My decision to step down came from
some “advice” from my teenage daughter (she
is wise beyond her years) who observed that I
was burning the candle at both ends. I am truly
thankful for the support I have received, and
also for the service you have indebted for me to
undertake. I have had the opportunity to have
met some wonderful chapter collaborators, supporters and even a few celebrities who
General
Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
Chapter
San Diego
San Diego, CA.
December 2012
acknowledged the significance of the Tuskegee
Airmen. I will continue to be an active member
of the chapter and I look forward to playing my
part as a volunteer to ensure the legacy of the
Tuskegee Airmen is sustained in San Diego.
They are and will continue to be my heroes.
I am pleased to announce that our new President (now former VP of the chapter) is Mr. Jeffrey Woodson. I consider Mr. Woodson as one
of my mentors as I admire his leadership and
ability to bring a team together. We all wish him
the best success in this role and I know he will
do great things as President. I look forward to
2013 being an exciting year, especially with the
future naming of a section of I-15 near MCAS
Miramar as the “Tuskegee Airmen Highway.”
What a great opportunity to honor and pay tribute to the Airmen.
Thank you for allowing me to share the respect
and admiration of the Tuskegee Airmen with
you. It is also nice to know there are a few of
you who share my love of the roar of an aircraft
engine and the smell of jet fuel!
It has been a privilege being able to serve you
as chapter President. I bid you adieu.
Respectfully,
Paulette Mello
We close this last newsletter of 2012 with
many thanks to our outgoing President,
Paulette Mello. Paulette worked tirelessly for
this Chapter by organizing a very successful
social at the San Diego Air Museum, being
present at ALL our events including Wing over
Gillespie, the Ramona Air show, Capt Rowe
being honored at Mt Soledad, taking care of
our equipment which included bringing it to
each event. We will miss her leadership, that
smile and those dimples as she, from the
head of the table, quietly performed her duties
as President.
Page 2
By Request
Capt. Claude Rowe Honored
With Plaque on Mt Soledad
By Request
Page 3
RAMONA AIR SHOW
The Annual Ramona Air Show was held
on 22 September 2012. Unlimited thanks go to
our Chapter President Paulette Mello and husband Joe Mello for getting out to Ramona at 6
AM and setting up our displays. This is the kind
of support and dedication we need from all of our
members. More on that subject in a letter to our
membership.
Paulette, ever the salesperson, was active
selling our wares. Her truck was lighter when she
returned home because she sold out portions of
our stock..
Chapter members present included Tuskegee
Airman Captain Claude Rowe who was accompanied by wife Winnie Rowe and daughter Dorothy
Rowe. Captain Rowe is to be commended for his
participation in our activities. Age-wise, he is our
senior Chapter member and always manages to
be available.. Many thanks to Arlys Erickson who
made stickers announcing our Tuskegee Airmen
Highway project and used them to solicit donations. She pasted the stickers on children and
anyone else who slowed down. Arlys had a container for donations to the Tuskegee Airmen
Highway project and It was not empty. Colonel
James Trotman drove over from Palm Desert accompanied by George Edwards a WWII Buffalo
Soldier. Captain Claude Rowe, Colonel Trotman,
who flew Air Force One, and DOTA Buford Johnson were the hits of the show.
Where else can you find Tuskegee Airmen accompanied by a pilot, African-American no less,
who flew Air Force One at the same show?
We appreciate Buford Johnson taking time
out of his very busy schedule to attend this air
show. He came and he is not even a member of
our Chapter. Nevertheless, he was kept busy
autographing books and anything else that could
be written on.
George Watson, our Immediate Past President, was present and working. He is currently
managing two airports, Ramona and Fallbrook
but he managed to make a lot of the announcements during the day since he was the Airport
Manager on duty.. He also flew his T-34 a couple
times. One other pilot from George’s flying group
also flew formation with George.
We would be remiss if we did not mention the
Tuskegee Airmen Motor Cycle Club San
Diego. This group of gentlemen with their colorful
jackets were not only a great addition to our last
Chapter meeting but came to Ramona on their
motorcycles and really added to the festivities.
This is the Mission Statement of the group:
Our mission as the Tuskegee Airman Motorcycle
Club of San Diego California (TAMCSDC) is to
enlighten the wise, emancipate the ignorant and
to continue to stimulate the consciousness of the
American people. We do this by honoring the legacy and contributions of the 332nd Fighter Group
known as the Tuskegee Airman.
We ride as a reminder of each and every Tuskegee airman who had to overcome great adversities and unconscionable challenges presented
before them. We ride in spirit of our airman and
their tenacity to see their dreams and admirations
com e true. We ride to educate, stimulate the
thoughts of future airman regardless of race or
gender.
The roar of their motorcycles as they left was
very loud and dramatic. If they can be encouraged to join our Chapter, they will be a great addition. Please visit their web site
www.tamcsd.com.
Chapter President Paulette Mello and
Colonel James Trotman
Page 4
By Request
Christine Robinson with son Wesley and
DOTA Buford Johnson
Winnie Rowe, Captain Claude Rowe
and Dorothy Rowe next to an AT-6
A family visits with Chapter President Paulette Mello
Members of the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club
San Diego
Craig (Show Me) Bonner, Marcus (Gunner) Creighton and
Tony (Ace) Williams
Linda Stull and Vicki Moen
Both are members of the Commemorative Air Force
from El Cajon great supporters of our Chapter.
Colonel James Trotman and DOTA Buford Johnson. Trotman flew Air Force One. Johnson was Intelligence
Officer in the 332nd.
By Request
Page 5
Winnie Rowe, Alrys Erickson (Chapter Treasurer)
standing in back of Captain Claude Rowe and
George Edwards
Rachel Carter with Anne Marie Richardson with children
Harmony, Prince and Lyric. Rachel Carter holds the record
of being the youngest female pilot to fly to NY and back in
1994.
Alex Harris, VP of the Tuskegee Airmen
Motorcycle Club
Immediate Past President George Watson with Air
Traffic Controller Morgan Helmstetler
Joe Mello (Not a
Chapter member
but a really hard
worker) with
Winnie Rowe
Everybody
get a
lunch
break
Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club member Craig Bonner
and wife Hilda.
Page 6
By Request
and knowledge as a member of NABVETS Chapter 67 and
the Veterans Claims Division of BLC72. His comprehensive knowledge regarding these important initiatives is
valuable to NABVETS mission.
Better Life Chapter 72
Better Life #72 is a team of veterans that on December 18,
2010, received its charter becoming the nation’s 72nd chapter, as an extension of a National Veterans Service Organization that began as Interested Veterans of Center City
(IVOCC), founded in 1969 Milwaukee, Wisconsin by
seven veterans. Effective April 2, 1998, the Veterans Administration designated NABVETS as a chartered veteran’s
services organization.
The Former Commander of
BLC#72 is Master Chief Othan
“Nate” Mondy, USN, (Retired).
Master Chief Mondy is the first
Black Master Chief of Naval Air
Force Pacific. BLC#72 is a not for
profit 501c (3), whose mission is to
assist the Department of Veteran
Affairs in finding creative ways of
addressing the growing needs of an
estimated 190,000 Black veterans’ in California. San
Diego has the nation’s largest military installation.
On February 4, 2012, Master Chief Mondy was installed
as the Commander of the California State Command
Council. His commitment is to increase membership state
-wide, communicate and assist in the development of the
existing California State Chapter Commanders by guiding
and communicating the principles and mission of NABVETS, Inc,. State Commander Mondy brings a wealth of
experience and knowledge that he intends to utilize on
developing California into becoming a model example
that will be used throughout the NABVETS, Inc., organization.
Former Commander of
the California State Command Council, McCail
Smith, Jr., stepped down
and is now serving as the
Veterans Service Officer
for BLC 72. Former
Commander Smith utilizes his experience
NABVETS, Inc., as a Veterans Service Organization, utilizes the customer service model, a quality approach, providing technical assistance, bridging the void for mainstream services to all veterans, and bringing health and human services.
Phillip J. Harris, Sr., USN
(Ret.) is the first Secretary of the California
State Command Council,
National Association for
Black Veterans becoming
a member of NABVETS
in October 2010. Phillip’s
tours of duty included the
West Coast, Newport, RI,
the Pentagon and was
appointed to serve as a member of the 1981 Inaugural
Committee for President-elect Ronald R. Reagan. He completed his Masters Degree in Human Resources Management. He developed strategic programs for geriatric and
indigent residents of HUD’s Suburban Chicago residents
and received an appointment in 2000 with the Department
of Agriculture’s Bureau of the U.S. Census, where he managed the State of Wisconsin’s Census Operation. Phillip Sr,
also retired as a Commissioned Sales Associate with JC
Penney and is a Professional Stock Photograph Model.
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
42nd National Convention
July 31 - August 3, 2013
Millennium Hotel St Louis
200 South 4th Street
St Louis, MO 63102-1804
By Request
Page 7
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
In order to continue to preserve the Tuskegee
Airmen legacy, the "Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation" (TASF) was established in 1979
to serve as a vehicle to provide annual scholarships to outstanding young people in their academic quest for excellence. For more information
visit taisf.org.
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION GALA
On Thursday evening, October 4, 2012,
the Tuskegee Airmen
Scholarship Foundation
held its Gold Medal
Gala at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA. Thirteentime Emmy Award winning KABC News Anchor David Ono served
as Master of Ceremonies. Jazz Legend Barbara Morrison and the
Farrell Chiles
Vice President Tuskegee Charles Owen Band
Airmen Scholarship
provided outstanding
Foundation
musical entertainment. National Aviation
Hall of Fame pilot, Clay Lacy, Founder and CEO
of Clay Lacy Aviation, served as the Honorary
Chair.
The Gala's deserving honorees were SpaceX
CEO Elon Musk, who received the Distinguished
Achievement Award; Caltech President Dr. JeanLou Chameau, the Gold Medal Education Award;
and NASA Administrator Major General (Retired)
Charles F. Bolden, received the General James
H. "Jimmie" Doolittle Memorial Award.
In attendance at the gala event were several
Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen (DOTAs),
to include Ted G. Lumpkin Jr., Leo Gray, Lowell
C. Steward Sr., Buford Johnson, Mitchell
L. Higginbotham, Elbert T. Hudson, Clarence C.
Finley and Levi H. Thornhill.
Left to Right) La Trycee Fowler, actress and
TASF National Spokesperson; Charles F.
Bolden; Lowell C. Steward, Jr., TASF Vice
President; and David Ono KABC News Anchor
and Gala Master of Ceremonies
DOTAs - Ted G. Lumpkin, Jr. and
Clarence C. Finley
TASF AND EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL
UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Beginning in 2013, the annual $2,000 scholarship is targeted for Embry-Riddle students enrolled in at least the sophomore year who exhibit
leadership qualities and show financial
need. The students must be enrolled full time at
the Daytona Beach campus in any of the degree
programs, including the aviation maintenance
program (A&P). The University scholarship selection committee composed of faculty and staff
Cont’d next page
Page 8
By Request
will review applications and make the final selections. The award will be used to pay for tuition,
textbooks, fees, and any other items included in
the cost of education.
"We are excited to partner with Embry-Riddle
by providing scholarships to worthy students in
pursuit of aviation maintenance careers and other
degree programs at Embry-Riddle. These scholarships pay tribute to the crew chiefs and aviation
maintenance teams who supported the pilots and
played an integral part in the success of the Tuskegee Airmen Experience." said Jerry Hodges,
President of TASF and a Documented Original
Tuskegee Airmen.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the
world's largest fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit independent institution offering more than 40 baccalaureate, masters, and PhD degree programs
in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation
Business and Engineering. (By Farrell Chiles)
Mrs. Zellie Rainey Orr was the panel moderator. She asked former members of the B-24
squadron to describe their treatment at Ramitelli.
One crewmember responded that living with the
‘colored’ troops changed his outlook forever.
Farrell Chiles, Vice President Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation, Zellie Rainey Orr, TAI Historian, and
Oscar Teel, representing the San Diego TAI Chapter
“TUSKEGEE AIRMEN:
HEROES AT RAMITELLI”
On November 17, Hilda and I attended the
8th Annual Tuskegee Airmen Celebration held at
the University of California, Riverside. Of great
interest was the discussion on the event of December 29, 1944, when a number of B-24s could
not land at their home base and landed at
Ramitelli instead. This event marked the first unofficial integration of the Army Air Corps. The B24 crew members, all 170, dined and bunked
with the Tuskegee Airmen.
Col. Charles McGee gave an overview of life
at Ramitelli. He said in May of 1944 he was in
his fifth month of combat flying P-40s.. Ramitelli
was a wheat field. The “runway” was 150’ wide
and 5500’ long with steel planking. The farmer’s
house was headquarters for the 332nd Fighter
Group. There were no beacons, no lights so no
night flying. The field was never attacked by the
Germans. The 332nd received P-47s hand-medowns from the 325th Fighter Group. In July
1944 they received P-51s. Each of the four
fighter squadrons of the 332nd Fighter Group
usually provided 16 aircraft for each mission. The
15th Air Force picked the Tuskegee Airmen to
escort B-17s and B-24s. .
Diane Esters-Rafalski, Western Region President
DOTA Colonel Charles McGee
By Request
Page 9
DOTA Buford Johnson, Inland Empire Chapter, and
DOTA Alfonso Harris and his wife Rose Marie..
CHRISTMAS MEETING/DINNER
Thanks to the efforts of Bill and Mary SnearMcNeil we were able to hold our annual meeting/
dinner at the Bernardo Heights Community Center. Particulars were covered in correspondence
mailed to all members on 22 December. Included
here are some photos taken my Mary SnearMcNeil on her IPad.
Two Woodsons. Seated is the mother of Jeff
Woodson, our incoming president, and standing
is Jeff’s wife, Paula.
Margaret Maxwell and her mother, Mrs. Jean
Maxwell. Jean Maxwell is the widow of our
longtime president, Bob Maxwell.
Welcome to 2013!
Four of the Chapter members who helped to
display the abundance of food. Hilda Teel,
Audra Kimble, Paulette Mello and Dorothy
Rowe.
We have work to do this year including finalizing the Tuskegee Airmen Highway project
which will include a ‘sign installation event’,
and a new project with the Mt Soledad Commission to install a plaque honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. Are you with us?
www.tuskegeesdai.org
17870 Frondoso Dr
San Diego, CA 92128