Surviving SA Tuskegee Airmen open museum exhibit at Lackland

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio members of the Tuskegee Airmen recently opened a new exhibit at Lackland Air Force Base, chronicling their military service.

Slowly and carefully, the veterans made their way into the United States Air Force Airman Heritage Museum and Enlisted Character Development Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

The exhibit is one of a growing number of ways the military is making sure the rich history of this unit is remembered by generations to come.

Thomas Ellis is a proud member, noting he is an original member.

"In the air, they shot down 112 planes in the air and destroyed 150 on the ground, so Tuskegee Airmen destroy 262 German planes in WWII. That's something else I'm really proud of," he said.

Ellis and the other airmen want to share their experiences in hopes that the younger generation will take note.

"If you have the skills, take advantage of the skills. And take advantage of your opportunities and get a good education," Ellis said.

The new section at the museum offers a behind-the-scenes look at the heroes who kept the Air Force flying. There is a Tuskegee fighter pilot, chief mechanic and enlisted administrator. There are also dozens of archival photos of the airmen in action.

To get a tour of the new exhibit, contact the museum. Details can be found at MyAirmanMuseum.org.


About the Author:

Ursula Pari has been a staple of television news in Texas at KSAT 12 News since 1996 and a veteran of broadcast journalism for more than 30 years.