This Black History Month the Lima area got the chance to experience history first hand with a group who paved the way for a full integration of the U.S. military.
They overcame prejudice and segregation and they later became one of the most respected fighter groups of World War II. They were known as the Tuskegee Airmen, an all African American pursuit squadron. We got the opportunity to speak with one of the last airmen alive. 88-year-old Donald Elder is welcomed with open arms to Lima's South Science and Technology Magnet School. The Columbus native enlisted and eventually became an aircraft maintenance specialist and crew chief of one of the Air Force fighter planes flown in combat. Elder said he grew up in a very integrated neighborhood and didn't get a true feel of segregation until he was off to war.
A Lima City School principal says it is important to bring people like Elder to our community to show the youth a piece of history and help spark what they can accomplish in their future. Elder said he had a successful and rewarding life, all because he was a Tuskegee Airman. The legacy of flying lives on in Lima. Last school year, South Science began an after school youth aviation program ran by local members of the Ohio Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. Meeting once a week, the students take field trips to the airport and get hands on experience.
