This update is from George Hart who pastors one of GCI’s churches in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.
As part of our celebration of Black History Month, Christ Community Church was visited by a true American hero—Mr. Leslie Edwards, one of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II fame.
Mr. Edwards was born in 1924 in Memphis and joined the military where he rose to the rank of staff sergeant and flight chief. He was part of a team handpicked to maintain planes used in night flight operations to train navigators. In 1945, while stationed in Seymour, Indiana he witnessed the so-called “mutiny” at Freemen Field. African-American officers tried to enter a whites-only officers club and many were arrested. Mr. Edwards insisted that it was not an act of rebellion, but an effort of African-American officers to stress the importance of a fully integrated military. Mr. Edwards said, “Sometimes you just have to do the right thing.”
Mr. Edwards is critical of the movies about the Tuskegee Airmen, even the latest, Red Tails, by George Lucas. He referred to these movies as “the Hollywood version of the story” that are full of inaccuracies, including the following:
- The Tuskegee Airmen did not receive inferior aircraft and equipment but were provided the best the Air Force had to offer.
- It is inaccurate to say the Tuskegee bomber escorts did not lose bombers. They did have the highest return rating but “no one went up against the highly trained Nazi pilots in superior equipment and returned with no loses.” They witnessed many young white bomber crews plunge to their death.
- The movies fail to mention the number of white military and congressional leaders and people like First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who fought for full integration of the military, or President Harry Truman who wiped out segregation in the Armed Forces by Executive Order in 1948.
- There is no mention of the many awards and citations the Tuskegee Airmen received including the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. In 2006 they were awarded the distinguished Congressional Gold Medal. Mr. Edwards brought his medal for the audience to see.
Mr. Edwards encouraged us to watch the soon-to-be-released documentary Double Victory, which more accurately portrays the Tuskegee Airmen story.
Mr. Edwards stressed that humanity, with its diversity, is better together than separately. He referred to segregation as an evil of our past that has hurt everyone in the nation. Several times his eyes welled with tears as he spoke of the hurt caused to both blacks and whites.
Mr. Edwards attended the recent inauguration of President Barack Obama. Of the thousands of Tuskegee Airmen who served as pilots, mechanics and ground crews, 187 were present. Most were in wheelchairs, though Mr. Edwards was able to walk out under his own strength. The airmen were recognized as a significant part of history that led to an African-American being elected president.
We have a copy of the first movie about the Tuskegee Airmen but did not like Red Tails……too much Hollywood. I look forward to watching Double Victory when it comes out. Their story is amazing.
Great article George, thanks for sharing Mr. Edwards’ story and for setting an example of how we can be creative in worship. Having Mr Edwards in for worship breaks down dualism and the idea we have to “do” church a certain way.
Good report George–reminds me of the Summer, 2008 issue of Reconcile where Tom Smith wrote up our Pittsburg Deacon, Mr. William Hicks, who was also a mechanic for the Red Tails. I hope he is still in good health.
Neil Earle
Wonderful inclusion to worship – all things for which we praise God for understanding he gives us and changes he works in our minds and hearts. Thanks George and thanks Christ Community and thanks Leslie Edwards.