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Tuskegee Airmen, other veterans recall military experience

How would you like to try to land a jet fighter plane aboard an aircraft carrier at night? Or can you imagine being shot down over southern France and captured by the Nazis during World War II?

TUSKEGEE TALES: Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col.
Alexander Jefferson recalls his experiences
during World War II. In 1944, during his 18th
misson, he was shot down over southern
France and was taken to Stalag Luft III, a
prisoner of war camp in Poland.

Those were just two of the vivid images shared by three American veterans who spoke on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) to a large audience in the Student Center. The three told stories of their service while noting the valor and challenge of military service.

The keynote address was part of a week of activities on campus that honored veterans. Earlier that day, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of EMU's Veterans Service Office. Other events included an item drive, a letter-writing campaign and a flag-raising ceremony at Westview Apartments.

Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, who turned 88 last weekend, earned his pilot wings at the famous Tuskegee Airfield. He and his fellow African-American pilots gained fame for their proficiency and skill in escorting bombers to targets.

Their efforts flew in the face of grossly flawed, racist notions about what African-Americans could accomplish as soldiers, and served to help integrate the armed services and advance civil rights.

"We had to fight for the right to fight for our country," Jefferson recalled.