7Salutes: Tuskegee Airmen still inspiring youth across the country

WASHINGTON (7News) — More than 80 years ago, the Tuskegee Airmen overcame great odds to prove they were equal and capable of completing any mission just as good as their counterparts. Today there are numerous pilots in the skies and workers on the ground at Dulles, BWI and airports all around the country, all thanks to the Tuskegee Airmen.

Throughout World War II, more than 1,000 brave pilots saved lives while breaking barriers. The Tuskegee airmen escorted bombers on dangerous missions with great success. They had one of the lowest loss records among all escort fighter groups. These airmen achieved this in the face of severe discrimination and racism, not only in the United States but also thousands of feet in the air.

Many bomber pilots referred to them with slurs while the Tuskegee Airmen protected them. But the Tuskegee airmen overcame all obstacles and cemented their legacy in American history.

Today, that legacy lives on.

Yvonne McGee works with the East Coast Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated.

“They’ve thrown us a challenge to continue what they started,” she said.

Back in the 1970s, the surviving airmen established the national organization to pass on its heritage and inspire youth to join the aviation field.

There are more than 50 chapters across the country. The East Coast Chapter in Maryland happens to be the largest. Yvonne McGee leads the youth in aviation program.

“It’s a large torch they passed onto us,” said McGee.

She knows firsthand. Her dad was Brigadier General Charles McGee, a legendary and decorated Tuskegee airman who also served in Korea and Vietnam.

“You have a group of American citizens who were not welcomed into our democratic process or anything, and not only persevered but to a level of excellence that no one could challenge,” said McGee.

To that end, the East Coast Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen share those life lessons with young students and practical lessons in aviation, giving them flight hours.

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But not every student wants to be a pilot so they offer scholarships for students pursuing aerospace and STEM careers.

Veterans, like retired Air Force Major Tommy Herndon, work closely with these teens. Herndon is the president of the East Coast Chapter.

“A lot of kids are looking for guidance and I think this program, even though its small, it provides that type of guidance,” said Herndon.

When Courtney Walters was a teenager, he considered a future in landscape architecture.

But after joining the East Coast Chapter, he developed a passion for aviation and has now been flying for Delta Airlines for nearly 10 years.

“It changed my life in the best way possible, that’s for sure,” said Walters.

Many of other students are also pilots, and air traffic controllers and airline maintenance workersall thanks to the Tuskegee Airmen.

These are lessons that stick with Walters to this day.

“It really doesn’t matter if somebody tells you you can or cannot do something. If you are determined to do something, the determination really outweighs anybody’s opinions on what it is you can and cannot do,” said Walters.

Its been nearly 80 years since the Tuskegee Airmen took to the skies, and sadly most of them are no longer with us.

But thanks to this organization, their legacies will live on for generations to come.

These chapters are always looking for more students to mentor and people to partner with them. If you’d like to help out, click here.