They were told they couldn’t fly and it took an act of congress to get them in the air. They turned out to be one of the greatest combat units of World War II and are being remembered as Veteran’s Day approaches. The Lima Kiwanis club hearing from the Ohio Memorial Chapter of Tuskegee Airman. They were a group of African American military pilots of both fighters and bombers. It was the “Appropriations Bill Public Law 18” passed on April 3rd of 1939 that approved the training of these pilots through civilian flight schools willing to train black Americans. While the Tuskegee pilots faced segregation at home and in the service one man told Courtney Gaiter he was treated better as prisoners of war than he was treated back home.

They are the airmen that took to the skies when they weren't always accepted and a little light was shone on their contributions to the nation Tuesday.

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.

Residents flying high with excitement at Primrose Retirement as they reminisce about some heroes of World War II.

The Tuskegee Airmen was a group of military pilots who defied their limits -- becoming the first African American aviators to fight in United States armed forces in World War 2.