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 | Tuskegee Airmen Inc.: Then and Now |
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Members List
Links Of Interest
President:
Bill McClary
Email Contact:
Rosalyn E. Peterson
Web Administrator:
Cynthia A. Taylor
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, INC. - NATIONAL WEB JUBILEE FESTIVAL OF HERITAGE LEGENDS OF TUSKEGEE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
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Chapter Mission
The mission of the Spann Watson Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated (TAI) is to bring together in a spirit of friendship and goodwill all persons who shared in the aspirations and success of the pioneering men and women in Black Aviation who were members of the Army Air Corps during World War II, and to inspire young people toward outstanding achievement and leadership through “real-world” and educational activities.Chapter History
The Spann Watson Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated (TAI) was chartered in February 12, 2000 honoring Lieutenant Colonel Spann Watson, a native of Johnston, South Carolina. The TAI Chapter in Columbia, South Carolina began as an initiative by the leaders at McIntyre Air National Guard Base in recognition of the Tuskegee Airmen who were the honored guests at the Annual Air Show in May 1999.
Members of the Spann Watson Chapter are active during the entire year visiting schools, churches, civic groups, corporations, and other organizations with the objectives of making people aware of Black accomplishments in aviation history, and inspiring young people to continue their education and seek opportunities in technology. In August 2006, two students from Columbia, SC, whose applications were submitted by the Spann Watson Chapter, were awarded scholarships. One student was awarded a $1,500.00 scholarship from Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and the other student was awarded $1,500.00 scholarship from Tuskegee Airmen Inc., in addition to a four-year scholarship from Pratt and Whitney, Inc. valued at $20,000.
Chapter Objectives
- To inspire and motivate young men and women toward outstanding achievements and leadership for careers in aviation, engineering technology and aerospace.
Chapter Membership Founding Chapter Members
Winnie Mitchell, a graduate of Richland County School District One’s C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, was selected as the recipient of a $1,500 scholarship from the Spann Watson Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
While attending C.A. Johnson Preparatory, Miss Mitchell’s activities included serving as flight commander in the Air Force Junior ROTC program.
Her selection marked the first time a winner had been selected from the Spann Watson Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and the first time a student from C.A. Johnson Preparatory had been selected as a recipient of this scholarship.
Joshua Cunningham, a Dreher High School graduate, received the top honor as the recipient of the Pratt and Whitney “Gold Eagle Scholarship.” This award entitled him to a $5,000 a year college scholarship, as well as an annual summer mentorship with the Pratt and Whitney Corporation, a pioneer in air travel technology.
While attending Dreher High School, Mr. Cunningham's activities included membership in the National Honor Society. He achieved the highest rank of Cadet Commander of the Columbia Composite Squadron, as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol and Company Commander of the Dreher Blue Devil Company in the Naval Junior ROTC.
Upcoming Chapter Events
Event:Warriors & Warbirds Weekend Celebration
Event:Tuskegee Airmen Presentation
Event:National Tuskegee Airman Inc. Convention
BLACK HISTORY EVENT
BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM
Event:Harim Mann Chapter, TAI. Annual Scholarship Banquet
Carolinas' Freedom Celebration
Columbia Tuskegee Alumi Association and Spann Watson TAI
BLACK HISTORY PROGRAMS:
Event: Black History Program Forum
Featured Guest Speaker: Master Sergeant (Ret.) William T. Simmons
The Women's Club of Columbia and The Celebrate Freedom Foundation will honor all who served in World War II at the rededication of the WW II Monument located at Saluda Ave & Blossom St. November 10th (Friday)
Lexington County Veterans Day Parade
Buffalo Soldiers Banquet
Spann Watson Chapter Polo Shirt Sale
Special Call Meeting:
When: April 27, 2009 (Monday)
Where: Richland Northeast Library, 7490 Parklane Rd., Columbia, SC)
Time: 7:00pm
Event:Tuskegee Airmen:Rememering the Legacy
Guest Speaker: William "Bill" McClary, President, Spann Watson Chapter, TAI
When: March 18, 2009
Where: WA Perry Middle School, Columbia, SC
Time: 6:15pm
When: April 17 - 19, 2009
Where: Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
Event: Spann Watson Chapter, TAI Veterans Award Banquet
When: May16, 2009
Where: Ft. Jackson NCO Club, Columbia, SC
Time: 7:00pm
BLACK HISTORY EVENT
What: Heros Among Us:"A Photo Exhibit in Honor of African American Soldiers and Other Notable Trailblazers"
When: February 5, 2009
Where: The State Museum
301 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Event:Columbia South Carolina Veterans Day Parade
When:November 11, 2008
Time: 10:00am
When:November 8 & 9, 2008
Where:Monroe Airport, Monroe. NC
Time: 9:00am-4:45pm Daily
When:November 18, 2008
Where:Sandhill Branch Library, Northeast Columbia
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm
When:July 17-20, 2008
Where: Philadelphia, PA
What: Heros Among Us:"A Photo Exhibit in Honor of African American Soldiers and Other Notable Trailblazers"
When: February 6, 2008
Where: McCrory Art Gallery
1276 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Time: 6:00pm
Event:African American Book Fest: Literacy - a Community Affair (Sponsored by 1st Book)
When:January 26, 2008
Where: Richland Northeast High School Science Building
Time:10AM - 2PM
Event:"The Tuskegee Airmen Story" - President Bill McClary will be the presenter
When: February 17, 2008
Where: I.D. Newman United Methodist Church
Time:11:00am
When: October 27th
Where: Walterboro, SC
Event: Veterans Day Celebraton
When: November 9th-11th
Where: Charlotte, NC
Event: Annual Christmas Fest
When: Decemaber 15th
Time:6:00pm
Event: President Bill McClary will be the Guest Speaker
When: February 6th
Where: I.D. Newman United Methodist Church
Time:10:00am
When: February 15th
Where:Davidson Hall @ Coker College, Hartsville, SC
Time:Contact Chapter President for times
CHAPTER PORTRAIT:
When: December 7th Meeting
Attire: Red Blazers or Class A Uniforms
Time: 7:00pm
November 6th (Monday)@ 10:30am: Master Sergeant (Ret.)William T. Simmons will the guest speaker at Jackson Elementary in Camden, SC. The topic for the morning will be "The Veterans Day Recognition Program".
November 5th (Sunday): The Spann Watson Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., will be honored as Co-Grande Marshalls along with the Hiram Mann Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., for the Lexington County Veterans Day Parade. The scheduled start time will be 2:30pm
October 21st(Saturday): Members of the Spann Watson Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., will attend the Midland South Carolina Chapter of the Nineth & Tenth (Horse) Cavalry of the Buffalo Soldiers' Second Annunal Banquet to be held at Shaw AF Base in Sumter, South Carolina.
The Spann Watson Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc, now has the navy blue polo shirts available for purchase by the membership. The cost is $30.00 per shirt.
