The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron and the Rise Above Traveling Exhibit are coming to the Liberty Aviation Museum (LAM) at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport in Port Clinton May 13-17. The Rise Above exhibit tells the story of the famed Tuskegee Airmen to young people all across American in an experiential way. “We are truly pleased to be hosting this fine event for the third year, and for the first time during an active school year,” said LAM President and CEO Edward Patrick. School children from Erie and Ottawa counties will have the opportunity to witness the inspirational documentary Rise Above and its story of how the Tuskegee Airmen overcame obstacles to be allowed to train and fight as U.S. Army Air Corp pilots. More than 10,000 other African-American men and women also trained hard to support these pilots. The courage and determination they exhibited then still means much to all Americans today. The movie also gives viewers a feel for what it’s like to be a pilot in a P51 Mustang.
Joining the exhibit will be local Tuskegee pilot Lt. Col. (Ret.) Harold H. Brown and a restored flying P-51C Mustang “Red Tail”. Harold will be on hand each day to meet with the school children and other visitors to talk about his experiences during those historic times.
“People think they have it tough now,” stated museum volunteer H. Havey Lembeck. “These guys had to fight two wars–the first, to win the right to fly and fight for their country; and the second, against the Nazi Fascists.”
The goal of the CAF Red Tail Squadron Rise Above exhibit is to teach the six guiding principles of the Tuskegee Airmen. Every youngster or school student who visits the exhibit and watches the Rise Above movie is given a free dog tag with these principles inscribed on it: “Aim high. Believe in yourself. Never quit. Be ready to go. Use your brain. Expect to win.”
Tuskegee Airmen traveling exhibit returns to Liberty Aviation Museum