Fathom Events and Bryton Entertainment are proud to bring In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen – The 75 Anniversary to select cinemas nationwide for a special one-night event on Tuesday, March 29.
SobeSavvy.Com headed to the movies to celebrate the historic heroes in this exclusive documentary event, which featured a panel discussion captured at the National Air Force Museum with Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. George Hardy, Former Administrator of NASA Col. Fred Gregory, as well as the producer Bryan Williams and director Denton Adkinson.
In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen – The 75th Anniversary features 16 Tuskegee Airmen as they recall their incredible experiences through emotional interviews, rare photographs, archival footage and computer-generated recreations. Experience the tales and exploits of America’s first African-American fighter pilots who, by flying the skies of the European Theater during World War II, broke racial barriers stateside.
I watched as the Airmen remembered being some of the first to begin the civil rights movement and living long enough to see the changes that would continue to resonate today. What made this special was that first person account of how many obstacles all of them had to overcome to earn their wings. Racist superiors who thought they were not brave or smart enough to be fighter pilots. In a twist of fate, no other than the first lady Eleanor Roosevelt also helped to advance their cause when she choose to actually be flown by one of the airmen. Perceptions changed, albeit slowly.
Most of them were tasked with being bomber escorts on missions. Protecting and making sure B-52’s delivered their bombs on target was essential for winning the war. The bomber crews were always happy to see the airmen who painted their plane tails red, so everyone called them the “Red Tails”. They proved their mettle to the nation only to come home after the war and still face the virulent racial injustices that was still prevalent.
These patriots paved the way for black aviators of the future. They are true American heroes. Great story and great documentary.
Check out “In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen Trailer” on YouTube
Photo Credit: Fathom Events
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