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Tuskegee Airmen Visit Rockford

By: Nick McGill
Updated: February 9, 2013
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Cramming into veteran's memorial hall residents and former military alike gathered Saturday for a chance to meet two of the original Tuskegee airmen. The first African Americans ever to fly in the military, and pioneers in the civil rights movement.  and while both men spoke  at length  their message was simple. Airmen Virgil Poole told the audience ".there is nothing you cant do if you try hard enough--but one thing i want you to keep in your mind--stop trying to fight for equality--it was god given to you .."

 

 Poole does admit however, equality was exactly what they were denied, often given inadequate equipment or left out of missions entirely.  But despite going without their due credit for years, Poole   says he always considered himself lucky telling us "... I'm the grandson of a slave and I've been granted the privilege to live 92 years."92 years well lived

 

 Event organizer Leah Nelson describes the experience of being in the same room as the airmen as breathtaking. Telling us, its not everyday you get to meet real American heroes ".These gentlemen have changed so much for the better for us-- they stepped up and did the job."

 

A job the airmen say they'd gladly do again.

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