The Tuskegee Airmen will be the focus of Newnan-Coweta Historical Society program 7 p.m. tonight at the Depot History Center, 60 East Broad Street in downtown Newnan. The program will feature original airmen Hiram Little and Leroy Eley. Admission is free, and there will be coffee and dessert. These two men will relate their experiences as this country's first black airmen during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected escort fighter groups of World War II. During World War II the Tuskegee Airmen had one of the lowest loss records of U.S. bombers by enemy fighters. Their achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. Military.
Under a brilliant blue sky Monday afternoon, a gathering of trustees, donors, fans, politicians and veterans officially broke ground for a major expansion of the National World War II Museum on Andrew Higgins Drive, across the street from the original location. The 2-square-block site, decked out in red, white and blue balloons, held about 200 seats for guests, along with a World War II Jeep, a PT boat, a half-track and a Sherman tank. A flyover by four F-17 planes in formation kicked off the ceremony, which included music by a U.S. Navy band, a trooping of colors by the Washington Artillery and a burst of confetti. Set to be completed by 2015, the $300 million expansion will include a campus of six new buildings covering 5.7 acres bounded by Magazine Street, Andrew Higgins Drive, Calliope Street and the Camp Street down-ramp of the Crescent City Connection. The ambitious expansion will quadruple the size of the original museum, which opened in 2000. http://blog.nola.com/el...
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a non-profit organization aimed at assisting the men and women of the United States armed forces who have been severely injured during the war on terrorism, has joined together with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The partnership will promote the timely delivery of disability benefits administered by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for those members of the current conflicts including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror." Wounded Warrior Project is honored to partner with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. That the largest organization of combat veterans in America has placed their trust in WWP's abilities as advocates for this latest generation of wounded soldiers validates our mission in a powerful way," stated Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director, John Melia.Wounded Warrior Project offers services and programs like combat stress seminars, benefits couns...