STUDENTS LEARN STORY OF BRAVE WWII TUSKEGEE AIRMEN.Byline: Amy Raisin raisin, in botany and cooking raisin, dried fruit of certain varieties of grapevines bearing grapes with a high content of sugar and solid flesh. Although the fruit is sometimes artificially dehydrated, it is usually sun-dried. Staff Writer VALENCIA - A World War II veteran representing the efforts of World War II's African-American pilots dedicated a Tuskegee Airmen Tuskegee Airmen Black servicemen of the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) who trained at Alabama's Tuskegee Army Air Field in World War II. They constituted the first African American flying unit in the U.S. military. framed poster Thursday at Valencia High in support of the school's stand against racism. Edward Brantley, an active member of the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen and a former Air Force crew chief, spoke to students about the lasting effects the famed African-American pilots have had on racial discrimination in America. ``These fighter pilots protected the bombers on their missions against the enemy,'' said Brantley, 75. ``A lot of the (white) bomber pilots refused the escorts, but they realized the men of the 332nd were saving their lives. ``They went from the most ignored, most denigrated group of men to the most requested.'' Brantley explained that the white bomber pilots were usually rotated rotated turned around; pivoted. rotated tibia see rotated tibia. after 50 missions, but the picture of the man on the poster - Col. Lee ``Buddy'' Archer - was taken moments after he completed his 100th consecutive mission. Assistant Principal Les Luxmore made sure the students understood the significance of the frame before the poster was hung in the campus library. The black frame represents African-Americans' pride in their ethnicity ethnicity Vox populi Racial status–ie, African American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic , he said. The red matting honors the blood they spilled for their country, and the green matting honors the youths who fought and died for the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Brantley's nephew, 16-year-old Valencia student Chris Hightower, said he was raised on stories of the Tuskegee Airmen but was happy to listen as his peers learned some history. ``It helps them understand more about their country and how good we have it nowadays,'' the 10th-grader said. ``And I don't just mean black people or white people, but everybody.'' Luxmore explained the school's movement to address student bigotry Bigotry See also Anti-Semitism. Beaumanoir, Sir Lucas de prejudiced ascetic; Grand Master of Templars. [Br. Lit.: Ivanhoe] Bunker, Archie middle-aged bigot in television series. and said Brantley's appearance reinforced the historic examples of peace and unity. ``We're looking at all the different flavors of bigotry expressed at this school. Were not going to have the awesome privilege of having the Mr. Brantleys much longer, so it's important that our generations today and tomorrow understand the significance. ``This did not come easy for anybody, and we can't take for granted the doors that were opened by men and women like Mr. Brantley,'' Luxmore said. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Veteran Edward Brantley presented this poster to Valencia High School Valencia High School may refer to:
David Crane/Staff Photographer |
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