Black and White Tuskegee Airmen Unveiled

20 Pages·2012·3.62 MB·English

Winter 2013/2014
Tuskegee  Airmen,  Inc.  
Newsle(cid:425)er  
Black and White Tuskegee Airmen Unveiled
President
Brig. Gen. Leon Johnson, USAFR (Ret.)

1st Vice President More than 100 people were on hand to The project was sponsored through the
CMSgt. John B. Patterson, USAF (Ret.)
witness the unveiling of sculpted busts of generosity of the Kentucky Department of

2nd Vice President General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., and Veterans Affairs.
Brig. Gen. Stayce Harris, USAF
Brigadier-General Noel F. Parrish, both

Immediate Past President iconic Tuskegee Airmen commanders during
Lt. Gen. Russell Davis, USAF (Ret.)
WWII. The event, which was held at the
Financial Secretary annual meeting of the Aviation Museum of
Mr. Stephan Wilkinson
Kentucky (AMK) on December 7, 2013, was
Treasurer
orchestrated by Ron Spriggs, Executive
Ms. Rosario Biggs-Dickerson
Director of the Ron Spriggs Exhibit of
Parliamentarian
SMSgt Tyrelle Felder Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and member of the
AMK board of directors.
Public Relations Officer
Ms. Sandra Campbell
The busts were designed and sculpted by

Central Region President Bobby Scroggins, Associate Art Professor
MSgt. Marv K. Abrams, USAF (Ret.)
with the University of Kentucky, who is also
ECaMsStgetr.n Q Ruiengciyo Mn aPgrweosoidde, nUtS AF (Ret.) an AMK board member. Ron Spriggs poses between the busts of Gen. Benjamin O.
Davis, Jr. and BGen. Noel F. Parrish during the unveiling
Western Region President
and installation ceremony.
Mr. Larry Jackson
General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was commander of the black 99th Fighter Squadron, the
332nd Fighter Group in Italy, and later the 477th Composite Group assigned at Godman
Field near Louisville, KY. Gen. Davis was born in Washington, DC in 1912, and followed
Inside this issue:
in his father’s footsteps to become a second generation member of the U.S. Army. His
father, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., was a Buffalo Soldier and climbed the ranks from enlisted
to America’s first black General Grade officer. In spite of the shunning he endured during
President’s Message 2 & 12
four years at West Point, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. graduated 35th in a class of 276 in
1936. As a Captain, he joined the first class of 13 cadets at Tuskegee in 1941. He
qualified as a pilot and was one of five pilots who graduated in Class 42-C-SE, and the
TAI Code of Ethics 5 first black to become a General Grade officer in the new United States Air Force. He
ended his career as a Lieutenant General. In 1995, he was called out of retirement and
advanced to the rank of General by President Bill Clinton. Davis died in 2002.
2014 Elections 6
2014 Convention 7
Registration
Brigadier General Noel Francis Parrish was one of a handful of whites who participated in
Spotlight on DOTAs 10 the Tuskegee Experience (1941-1949). He was born in Versailles, KY in 1909, moved to
Waco, Texas, where he studied at Rice University, entered the Army Cavalry (with real
horses) as a Private, and later became a pilot. He was assigned as Commander of the
cadet training program at Tuskegee Institute. His name was chartered in 2007 as the
Salute to America’s 11
Brigadier General Noel F. Parrish Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., in Lexington, KY. Due
Heroes to his efforts to desegregate his troops, reduce over-crowding, and improve morale and
relations between Tuskegee residents and inhabitants on the nearby military base,
Announcements 19 Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. established the prestigious “Brigadier General Noel F. Parrish
Award” in his honor. Brigadier General Parrish was inducted into the Aviation Museum of
Kentucky’s Hall of Fame. He died in 1987.
SAVE THE DATE -- TAI 2014 Convention -- July 30 - August 2, 2014 - Orlando, Florida (Page 7)
From the Desk of the National President
Fellow Members of TAI,
As we finish out the end of 2013, I want to share with you my priorities for the
upcoming year. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. has been challenged this year by the
economic situation affecting our Nation. Our convention in St. Louis saw a 60%
decrease in attendance due to the impact of sequestration on the ability of our
military members and supporters to join us. A number of sponsors including the
Department of Defense were not able to provide the fiscal support that had
been available to us in prior years. The bottom-line is our overall cost of doing
business exceeded our revenue flow. The projection for 2014 is not great but I
think that there are some actions we can set in motion now, which can get us
started on a road to a positive revenue flow, such as a TAI Aviation Summer
Camp, community partnerships, corporate partnerships, and better engaging
our membership at large.
The first area that can make a difference is increased membership designed
to attract rather than detract from our organizational objectives. At our November Board of Directors meeting, I
charged the Region Presidents to achieve a 15% increase in our membership which reflects an increase of 100
adult members in each of our 3 regions. The Chair of our Membership Committee feels that this goal is
attainable and can easily be exceeded.
In a previous letter I mentioned that each of us knows someone who was previously a member of TAI. It is
important that each of us contact them and see if we can bring them back to TAI. In our daily interactions we
encounter individuals who may be good candidates for membership. Please give them information about who
we are, our mission, and goals. As I travel the country, I find that many people don’t think they can be members
of TAI. They think anyone interested in membership has to be a Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen, in the
military or African-American to join. They are often surprised to learn that TAI is an open membership
organization which anyone who supports our mission and goals can join. Obviously, someone with certain criminal
offenses would not be eligible for membership.
If each one of us makes it our duty to recruit just one member between now and 31 January 2014 we can double
our numbers. This can accomplish a number of things. It will bring individuals with new ideas to TAI, it can give us
additional resources for our programs, and it will give us new members to hold positions within our organization.
The second area that can make a difference is the TAI-USAA credit card. Currently there are approximately 700
cards in circulation which have generated $5,860 in revenue to TAI in 2013. A total of 123 new cards were
approved and issued this year. USAA has creatively worked to get more applications for the TAI-USAA credit card.
Increasing our organization’s membership has the potential to increase more membership applications for the USAA
credit card.
One of the things USAA has done and continues to do is provide brochures to TAI that advertise the credit card.
Copies of these brochures have been sent to each Chapter for distribution at events. More can be obtained upon
request from the National Office. Revenue to TAI is generated by the number of cards in circulation and the
purchases made using the card. If we double the number of cards in circulation in 2014 it will result in a significant
increase in revenue to TAI. Questions about eligibility come up frequently about the TAI-USAA credit card. While you
have to be a member of USAA to qualify for their insurance programs, that does not apply to its credit card and
other financial services. During the convention, USAA announced the release of an American Express version of the
credit card.
The third area is TAI merchandise on the Amazon.com website, which will enable us to reach the largest possible
audience with our “branded” Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. product offerings and process of putting our TAI merchandise on
the Amazon.com website. As announced at the convention, the goal is to increase the variety of items we have for
sale, using Amazon as our warehouse and fulfillment center. The team working the project plans to continue to have
2
‘members’ merchandise items as well as bulk pricing options for Chapters. They will be contacting Chapters soon about a
special offer on 2014 TAI calendars. Growth of the merchandise project has the potential to become the major revenue stream
for TAI.
The fourth area that can make a difference is donations. The Board of Directors voted to each make a $1,000 cash or in-kind
donation to TAI annually. The cash donations are targeted to and will be held in a special account for our Youth Program.
Each of us has a number of 501 (c) 3 organizations that we support during the course of the year. Some TAI members work
for companies that, within program limits, match monies donated by employees to a 501(c)3. As we approach the end of
2013, I ask each TAI member to join the members of the Board of Directors by making a small donation in supporting our
Regional and National Youth Programs. On the TAI National website (www.TuskegeeAirmen.org), there is a link in the top
right-hand corner for downloading a pledge form that can be mailed to the National Office with your donation.
2014 is an election year for National Officers, Region Presidents and Board Representatives for TAI. We need to have
competitive elections which can only happen if we have members willing to participate in the process as candidates. Please
review the National Bylaws to see the duties of the various positions and the requirements to file for the positions. To vote in
the election via absentee ballot or at the convention you must be dues current. Our National Bylaws state that membership
renewals must be submitted to National no later than the 31st of January of each year. In the past we have had problems with
the flow of the Form 2 and payments from the individual member through the Chapter to National.
To help address some of the issues associated with this, our Board of Directors has moved the responsibilities associated with
membership from the Financial Secretary to the National Office. All checks and Form 2’s should be sent to the National Office
at PO Box 830060, Tuskegee AL 36083. Our goal is to shift the entire membership process to a web- based platform in the
future.
In my visits to various Chapters I’m often asked about my vision and goals for TAI. These were expressed in a letter to you
that went out 16 May of 2011. What I said then is still applicable, so I’m repeating it here.
Here are my short and long term goals for TAI:
SHORT TERM GOALS (0 to 3 years)
 Transition TAI from spending in arrears to a funded budget based organization
 Create a line of TAI branded merchandise (TAI Logo and Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.) that we, TAI, market to the public.
 Allow Chapters to participate in this branding by mirroring the National merchandise plan using their chapter logos
 Expand the National sales of the TAI Logo merchandise to new partners like Tuskegee University, Army Air Force
Exchange Service, National Park Service, the original Tuskegee Airmen units in the Air Force today (332nd Wing,
477th Group, 99th, 100th, 301st, and 302nd Squadrons) etc.
 Establish economic relationships with companies like USAA that will provide revenues to TAI
 Transition TAI National Office to a permanent location
 Expand the Youth Programs at both the National and Chapter levels within the funding available
 Establish a repeatable National Convention footprint
 Revitalize the role of Heritage Members within TAI
 Make the necessary changes to the TAI Bylaws to add corporate members to the Board of Directors
 Revitalize the 3 way partnership with the National Park Service and Tuskegee University to assure timely completion of the
Tuskegee Airmen National Park
 Simplify the TAI membership processes
 Establishment of an “At-Large” Chapter
3
LONG TERM GOALS (3 to 5 years)
 Grow TAI membership to over 4000 in 5 years
 Establish a $10,000,000 endowment
 Establishment of TAI Youth Aviation, Aerospace, Transportation and STEM Academy
 Staff the National office to properly support TAI activities
 Change the TAI Bylaws to allow the “Body” to vote on Resolutions outside of the convention
 Change the TAI Bylaws to allow for vote on Resolutions that are presented at convention by the “Body” who are not in
attendance at the annual convention
This is the big picture as I see it for the short and long term. The long term is hard to gauge since so much is dependent upon
us getting our financial house in order in the short term to have the necessary base to support the long term.
Since I wrote the above in 2011, we have finalized a new Strategic Plan. Here is what the executive summary says
about our focus areas:
TAI’s 2012 – 2015 Strategic Focus Areas
Based on our findings, the TAI 2012 – 2015 strategic plan identifies four strategic focus areas to serve as our
core goals for the next three years: (1) engaging members; (2) fund/friend raising; (3) branding & marketing
TAI; and (4) development of a strong National, Regional and Chapter infrastructure.

If you have not reviewed the new TAI Strategic Plan, I encourage each of you to do so. It should help to answer questions
about what direction our organization has selected. An electronic version was recently sent to each chapter via the
Region Presidents.
The role of our Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen (DOTA) is vital to our organization and they are why we exist.
We must do everything we can to honor and preserve their ‘Heritage and Legacy’. One of the prime ways we can do
this is to use correct terminology. The only members of TAI who are Tuskegee Airmen are the DOTA’s. The rest of us are
simply members of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
The official opening of Hangar 2 at the National Park in Tuskegee, AL was impacted by the shutdown of the government.
The National Park Service is looking for a new date in the first quarter of 2014. We are in negotiations with the Park
Service about moving our National Office into one of the buildings in the park and will update you on the outcome of our
discussions.
Ms. Rita and I want to send our best to you and your families as we embark on 2014. Thank you for all you do for our
Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen and TAI.

Sincerely,
Leon A. Johnson

Leon A. Johnson, National President
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

4
TAI CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated (a/k/a TAI) and its affiliate Chapters (hereinafter collectively referred to as
“TAI”) are committed to complying with all governmental laws, rules, and regulations. Even where the law is
permissive, TAI is committed to conducting its affairs to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, honesty,
fairness, and professionalism, without exception and at all times. TAI’s Mission, Vision, and Values serve as the
foundation for this policy. The behavior of each member, director, officer and employee will be guided by
this policy.
This policy is intended to be a guide for TAI members, directors, officers, and employees on how to deal with
each other, youth, media, vendors, and local, national, and international communities. This policy applies to all
associates and individuals who enter into relationships with TAI for any specified period of time, such as
members of an organization, contractors, volunteers, visiting fellows, and interns (collectively referred to as
“status associates” for reference purposes only). It does not address all possible situations that may arise, but it
is a set of principles designed to guide members on acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
Personal and Professional Behavior
 TAI members, directors, officers, and employees are placed in a position of trust and are expected to be
honest, ethical, and fair, and act professionally when carrying out their duties. This trust is placed at risk
when employees fail to recognize and avoid conflicts involving their private interests and their employment
responsibilities, including situations where there is a reasonable basis for the perception of such a conflict.
Employees should always look to TAI’s Mission, Vision, and Values to guide their conduct, provide
guidance, or address questions regarding actual or potential conflicts of interest.
 Members, directors, officers, and employees are expected to safeguard the image of TAI in their personal
and professional endeavors.
 Members, directors, officers, and employees are expected to protect the best interests of TAI at all times
by reporting any situations that conflict with this policy to their Chapter President, Region Representative,
President or 1st Vice President.

Process for Determining Whether a Breach of the Code Has Occurred
An essential part of developing and maintaining a safe and fair business environment is ensuring that
individuals with concerns are encouraged to come forward in the knowledge that TAI will:
 Consider and investigate, if appropriate, allegations of behavior that may breach the Code or other TAI
policies.
 Take all reasonable steps to protect a member, director, officer, and employee who makes a disclosure in
good faith about conduct that is inconsistent with this policy. There will be no unlawful retaliation against
any employee for making a good-faith report about alleged violations of TAI’s policies.

Resolving Issues Under the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Policy
As a general principle, and wherever it is possible to do so, members, directors, officers, and employees
should attempt to resolve an issue at the lowest level. This may involve a member, director, officer, and
employee discussing the matter directly with his or her Chapter President, Region President, President, or 1st
Vice President.

Board of Directors, Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
National President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Immediate Past President
Executive Recording Secretary Treasurer Parliamentarian Financial Secretary
Historian (nonvoting) Public Relations (nonvoting) Western Region President Central Region President
Eastern Region President WR Board Representative WR Board Representative WR Board Representative
WR Board Representative CR Board Representative CR Board Representative CR Board Representative
CR Board Representative ER Board Representative ER Board Representative ER Board Representative
ER Board Representative
5
2014 NATIONAL & REGIONAL NOMINATIONS
TAI NATIONAL POSITIONS OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS:
-President -Financial Secretary -First Vice President -Treasurer
-Second Vice President (appointed position only) -Parliamentarian -Executive Recording Secretary

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Nominees must submit the following Nomination Packet items for the 2014 TAI National Convention Election to include:
 A written Letter of Intent (LOI) to include a statement that the candidate will serve in the office sought, if elected
 A biography not more than 200 words indicating qualifications and experience. Biographies should also describe
individual experience in Finance, Previous Leadership Positions, and Accomplishments especially in TAI if available.
 A current passport size photo. Candidates not submitting a photo in their Nomination Packet will not be disqualified.
If a candidate does not submit a photo, it will be listed in the National Newsletter as “photo unavailable.”

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
 Candidates must be a TAI member for at least two (2) years. (Confirmation by Financial Secretary)
 Candidates are required to have held an elected Chapter or Regional position prior to running for a TAI National
position. (Confirmation by TAI Form 5, or Chapter/Region Minutes)

NOMINATION PROCEDURES:
The Regional Presidents and Regional Board Representatives are self-nominated or nominated in their respective
Regional Caucuses at the TAI National Convention. All Regional President and Representative candidates are also
required to include a written Letter of Intent (LOI), biography to include their experience in the areas of Finance,
Leadership, Previous Leadership Positions, Accomplishments in TAI, and a current passport size photo.

Members interested in holding an elected position at the TAI National or Regional level must submit their Nomination
Packet (electronic preferred) to be received no later than April 2, 2014. If possible, please send the Nomination Packet
by email to [email protected] or by United States Postal Service to:

Marvin L. Williams, TAI Nominations Chair (Acting)
TAI National Committee on Nominations
P.O. Box 9573
Columbia, SC 29290-0573

Submit Nomination Packets as early as possible to allow candidates to be submitted to all of TAI National membership.
Although a candidate may be nominated from the floor (or caucus for Regional positions) at the TAI National Convention,
Nomination Packets must contain all submission items listed above. Packets must be submitted to the Nomination
Committee the same day the candidate is nominated from the floor (or caucus) before their name can be added to the
Election Sheet.

VOTING:
Any member in good standing is entitled to vote and may request in writing to receive an Absentee Ballot for any
elections held at the 2014 TAI National Convention. Members requesting an Absentee Ballot must ensure that their
annual dues are paid and processed by National no later than April 15, 2014. Absentee Ballot procedures/instructions
will be posted later on the TAI National Website and Newsletter.

2014 NOMINATION TIMELINE:
January 31, 2014 Distribution of information to TAI National membership VIA Email and/or US Postal Services
April 2, 2014 Nomination packages must be returned to Nomination Committee
April 3 -13, 2014 Nomination Committee meets to review Nomination Packets
April 15, 2014 Final Nominations slate will be listed in the TAI National Newsletter

All Board members, if elected, are requested to donate $1,000.00 or provide an in-kind donation of the same amount
(pending Board procedural approval). If you have any questions, please call Marvin L. Williams at [phone].
6
2014 CONVENTION REGISTRATION
7
2014 CONVENTION
8
2014 CONVENTION
9
Spotlight on DOTAs
DOTA Walter Crenshaw celebrated his 104th birthday on October 27, 2013 at the Veterans Homes of Greater Los
Angeles Main Dining Hall (Jeanne Bonfilio - Public Information Officer, LA Chapter)
DOTA Clarence Huntly celebrated his 90th birthday on October 20th 2013. He is the uncle of Craig Huntly, historian,
Tuskegee Airmen researcher, past historian for the LA Chapter, and former member of Harry Sheppard Research Committee.
(Source: Sunnye Simpson, !TFAM)
Save the Date…

July 30—August 2, 2014
Rosen Centre, Orlando Florida
DOTA Lt Col (ret) Eldridge Williams celebrat-
ed his 96th Birthday. (Source: Richard Hall,
Miami Chapter TAI president)

Lonely Eagles
Claude Robert Platte, Jr., 92, passed away September 27, 2013 in Fort Worth, TX. He was born March 16, 1921 in
Denison, Texas and earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering/minor in aeronautics from Tuskegee
Institute. While at Tuskegee, he earned a private pilot's license and later a Certified Flight Instructor rating. He trained
pilot cadets at Moton Field and earned the rank of Captain with the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged in
1965 after 18 years of service and founded the Claude R. Platte Chapter TAI.
Charles A. Lane, Jr., a Redtail pilot and member of the Alfonza W. Davis Chapter passed away November 9, 2013.
In remembering DOTA Lane, the president of the Alfonza W. Davis Chapter remarked that “Charles Lane was one of
the people I always looked for when I arrived at convention. Mr. Lane and his wife would throw open their arms and I
would walk into a welcoming embrace. He was so cute with his mischievous smile. Seeing them made me
happy.” (Source: Robert D. Rose, Alfonza W. Davis Chapter Pres.)
Ann S. Roberts, 91, widow of the late DOTA Lt. Col. Leroy Roberts, Jr. and mother of Sam Bruce Chapter vice
president, Karen Robinson, passed away in early November 2013. A Funeral Mass was held November 11,
2013, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Tacoma, Washington. See the obituary at the following link: http://
pipermorleymellingerfh.com/book-of-memories/1711020/Roberts-Ann/obituary.php
William L. Booker, 90, former president of the Sam Bruce Chapter, passed away November 30, 2013. Services were
held December 14, 2013, at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Seattle, Washington. DOTA Booker was one of the last
original Tuskegee Airmen in the Puget Sound area, serving as a flight engineer and navigator with the 477th
Bombardment Group based at Godman Field, KY. He graduated from the University of Denver, was an electrical
engineer, worked for Boeing Aircraft Company for 34 years, and invented an electrical aircraft component that was
patented in 1987.
10