Tuskegee Airman honored at luncheon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
In honor of the month of February being Black History Month, the African-American Heritage Committee hosted a Black History luncheon for more than 130 BLAZE Team members Wednesday at the Columbus Club. 

Chief Master Sgt. Brye McMillon, 18th Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant at Scott AFB, Ill., was the keynote speaker for the event. 

During his speech, Chief McMillon spoke about greatness. He asked the audience, "who is willing to write the history of tomorrow." As he stated the next civil leader such as Martin Luther King, Jr., has not been crowned. He challenged the audience to step up and be that person. 

"Some Airman somewhere is going to be great, and they depend on you. Some American somewhere is going to be great," said Chief McMillon. "This month is all about making America better." 

During the event, A Street was also renamed in honor of Lt. Col. Alva Temple. Colonel Temple earned his silver wings at the Tuskegee Institute in 1943, after the institute previously rejected him when the military did not have separate facilities for black pilots. A total of 992 black pilots graduated from the experimental training program at Tuskegee Army Air Field and became known at the Tuskegee Airmen. 

Colonel Temple flew 120 combat missions over Italy, Southern Europe, Southern France and the Balkan Nations. Upon his retirement, Colonel Temple left the Air Force with more than 5,000 flying hours in fighters and jet interceptors. He later became the owner and operator of Temple's BP Stations and Radiator Sales in Columbus, Miss.