Tuskegee Airmen Gather at 40th Annual Convention

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles E. McGee Jr. smiles for a portrait shot before an interview with Robert Wynn of Lucasfilm at the Tuskegee Airmen's 40th national convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. The Tuskegee Airmen meet annually to mark their service to the nation. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.
  • An Air Force Honor Guard presents colors during the opening ceremony of the Tuskegee Airmen's 40th national convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. The convention honors Tuskegee Airmen through history displays, panel discussions, book signings, luncheons, a youth day, a military day and a fly over. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airmen Erik Cardenas
  • Air Force Master Sgt. Toby Mitchell lights a candle for the opening ceremony of the Tuskegee Airmen's 40th national convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. The candle was lit in memory of the "lonely eagles" ceremony, honoring fallen Tuskegee Airmen of the past. Mitchell is assigned to the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Honor Guard. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airmen Erik Cardenas
  • An Air Force Honor Guard drill team perform during the 40th Tuskegee Airmen national convention Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. The convention honors the African-American aviation pioneers with historic displays, discussion panels, and guest speakers. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder
  • Jerry Hodges, an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen, listens to guest speakers during the opening ceremony of the Tuskegee Airmen's 40th national convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. Hodges joined the military on June 12, 1944, and was assigned to the 617th Bomber Squadron, 477th Bomber Group, July 5, 1946. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airmen Erik Cardenas
  • Tuskegee Airmen William Samber Sr. and James Cooper wave in appreciation at the Tuskegee Airmen's 40th national convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airmen Erik Cardenas
  • Retired Flight Officer Donald Jackson looks at photos from his former unit, the 477th Bombardment Group, during the 40th Tuskegee Airmen national convention at Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder
  • Dabney N. Mitchell discusses his experience as a Tuskegee Airman during an interview with Steve Ninotta during the Tuskegee Airmen's 40th National Convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. Ninotta is a producer with the 3rd Combat Camera Squadron on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.
  • Linda Flores and her son, Nathan, look at the Spirit of Tuskegee, a Boeing PT-17 aircraft, part of the Tuskegee Airmen 40th national convention on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 4, 2011. The aircraft will be donated to the National Space and Air Museum. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airmen Erik Cardenas
  • Retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. George Watson Sr. holds a presidential inauguration book featuring himself along with President Barack Obama during the 40th Tuskegee National Convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 5 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.
  • Elmer Jones autographs Tuskegee Airmen books at a book signing event during the Tuskegee Airmen's 40th national convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 6, 2011. More than 650 people gathered to this year's convention celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen's legacy. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder
  • Pearlie Harvey, right, congratulates her husband, Retired Air Force Lt. Col. James Harvey, left, at the gala dinner for the Tuskegee Airmen 40th national convention at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 6, 2011. Harvey received the Noel F. Parrish Award, the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.'s highest honor, which recognizes outstanding endeavors to enhance access to knowledge, skills, and opportunities. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airmen Erik Cardenas
  • An Air Force cadet speaks with Tuskegee Airman Buford Johnson during the 40th Tuskegee Airmen national convention at Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, Md., Aug. 6, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder