The Tuskegee Airmen “Red Tails” Day

WHEREAS, true American heroes, the Tuskegee Airmen are internationally recognized for their inspiring displays of bravery and heroism during World War II; and

WHEREAS, African Americans were forced not only to fight enemies abroad during World War II, but a culture of intolerance that extended into the United States Military; and

WHEREAS, as World War II continued to take its toll on Allied Forces, the Tuskegee Airmen were given the chance to prove themselves and forever put to rest misplaced beliefs about African American fighter pilots; and

WHEREAS, “Red Tails,” a George Lucas Film debuting nationally on January 20, 2012, is the epic story inspired by the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all African American Aerial Combat Unit; and

WHEREAS, with a distinguished war record of over 1,000 individual awards and decorations, as well as a Congressional gold medal, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 missions and 700 bomber escort missions, while withstanding minimal losses to enemy fighters, a record unmatched by any other fighter group; and

WHEREAS, on November 6, 1998, Congress recognized the contributions of these men and women by establishing the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field, the only primary flight training facility for African America pilot candidates during World War II, as a unit of the National Park System; and

WHEREAS, as “Red Tails” premiers nationally, it is important to salute and recognize the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, their support personnel and their flight instructor, C. Alfred “Chief” Anderson, for their contributions to the Allied Forces’ World War II victory and their prominent role in American history:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2012, as

The Tuskegee Airmen “Red Tails” Day

in the State of the Alabama.

     

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 20th day of January 2012.

 

                                                                           Robert Bentley, Governor