—
Thirteen San Marcos Academy students had a close encounter with some World War II aviators and got an up-close look at Air Force trainer jets and other aircraft during a summer field trip to San Antonio July 31.
The Youth Day program was sponsored by the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI), in conjunction with their national convention. TAI member Frederick Rucker, membership sales manager for the San Marcos Air Evac Lifeteam, helped make the arrangements for the SMA students to participate.
For the first half of the day, the students joined about 50 other youth for a tour of Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. Randolph is home to the 99th Flying Training Squadron, which has its roots in the 99th Fighter Squadron, one of the four Tuskegee Airman squadrons that were part of the 332nd Fighter Group.
The tour featured a static display of the base's trainer jets and other aircraft, including an F-16 with the distinctive “Red Tail” that pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen. Students also viewed a film about the Tuskegee pilots and saw photos and other memorabilia.
“I really liked meeting the different pilots and instructors at Randolph Air Base and hearing about their experiences and their love for flying,” Alec Patton, who will be a junior at SMA this year, said. “Learning about the Tuskegee Airmen and their struggles and triumphs was also a great experience.”
Estevan Gutierrez, a sophomore at SMA, talked at length with several pilot instructors at the base during the tour. “I liked this experience because I now have an idea of what I want to do with my life,” Gutierrez said.
Following the tour, the students had lunch at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the site for the TAI convention. The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team gave a demonstration at the luncheon, spinning and hurling their bayonet-tipped weapons over and around their stationary drill commander.
“I still cannot believe that I got to see the Air Force Honor Guard in person,” Zack Middleton, an Academy senior who will serve as the JROTC Battalion commander this year, said. “Their performance was amazing.”
For most of the students, the highlight of the day came after the luncheon when they had a chance to hear several of the original Tuskegee Airmen talk about their training and service in the Army Air Corps during World War II. “It was a really great experience to be able to talk to the Tuskegee Airmen,” said Donovan Jackson, an Academy eighth grader. His brother, ninth grader Desmond Jackson, said, “It was a life-changing event that gave me knowledge I would not have gained otherwise. I am thankful that I had the chance to experience this.”
SMA junior Adam Rollins said, “I was deeply honored to meet and talk to these living legends. The stories of their troubles and achievements moved me.”
About 1,000 African-American pilots graduated from the Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) in Tuskegee, Ala. from 1941-1946. Many other African-Americans were part of the air crew, ground crew and operations support. Those still living today are in their 80s and 90s. To ensure that the legacy of these individuals is not forgotten, the TAI was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1972 to honor all those who were part of the Tuskegee program.
“I didn't expect to be so blown away by the useful knowledge that the Tuskegee Airmen gave us,” Shane Boyer, an SMA junior who will be the command sergeant major for the JROTC Battalion this year, said. “I believe this was a great experience for both me and my classmates. Because of this, I definitely have a deeper appreciation for those serving our country.”
