Hometown Hall

“Tuskegee Airmen Parkway” was dedicated on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park (Camp Creek Parkway at Interstate 85).

The Georgia General Assembly passed House Resolution 1023 (sponsored by State Representative Bob Holmes, District 61 and several other members of the Atlanta-Fulton County Delegation) during the 2008 Legislative Session to name Camp Creek Parkway (from Fulton Industrial Boulevard to I-85) the Tuskegee Airmen Parkway.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first black pioneers of aviation. In March 1942, the first class of five aviation cadets graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Field (Alabama). By the end of World War II in 1945, some 994 aviation cadets had completed the program.

Among their many heroic exploits— first to shoot down a German Jet, sank a destroyer (ship) with only machine gun weaponry, distinguished record of never losing a bomber they escorted to enemy fire, and were the first United States Air Force “Top Gun” winners of the 1949 Worldwide USAF Conventional Class Aerial Gunnery Competition.

The ceremony on July 31st will include the President of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Lt. Gen. Russ Davis (USAF Ret.); Tuskegee Airmen “Top Gun” pilot and first black jet fighter pilot to fly missions over Korea, Lt. Col. James Harvey (USAF Ret.), a five minute clip of the March 2007 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda (Wash., DC) whereby President George W. Bush bestowed the Tuskegee Airmen its highest civilian honor, along with remarks by Georgia Department of Transportation Board Members, Dana L. Lemon and Emory C. McClinton.

In a Proclamation issued by Governor Sonny Perdue, July 31, 2008 is declared “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN DAY in Georgia”. We hope many persons will attend this event to show appreciation for the sacrifice and service of these American Heroes. For further information contact, Zellie Rainey Orr at (678) 662-1368.