U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill on Saturday will participate in a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in honor of the Original Tuskegee Airmen. The fighter pilots, who served with great distinction during World War II, were the first African American pilots to ever serve in the United States Military. The squadron was established in Tuskegee, Alabama during a period of intense racism in America.
“I am so honored that these brave men and their families have invited me to join them for this special occasion,” said McCaskill. “No medal or award of any kind can ever thank them enough; not only for the combat missions that they flew so bravely, but also for the important lessons they taught this nation by toppling a racial barrier.”
The ceremony will be held at the St. Louis International Airport at 12 P.M. on Saturday, July 21, 2007. The presentation will take place in front of the “Black Americans in Flight” Mural, located in the East Wing of the West Terminal of the airport.
