Tribute to first black military pilots coming to a Grand Junction venue
By Katie Langford - Grand Junction Sentinel Newspaper, Monday, September 5, 2016
A traveling tribute to the first black military pilots in the United States is coming to Grand Junction later this month, and the free experience includes a panoramic movie theater and tours of vintage World War II aircraft.
A traveling tribute to the first black military pilots in the United States is coming to Grand Junction later this month, and the free experience includes a panoramic movie theater and tours of vintage World War II aircraft.
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The Rise Above Theater Experience is a fully functional movie theater designed to take the audience on a journey through time — and then through the air. The theater’s dynamic 160-degree panoramic screen creates the sensation of being in the cockpit soaring above the clouds in the P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Airmen. The local event will take place at the Commemorative Air Force museum at 780 Heritage Way at Grand Junction Regional Airport.
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Maj. James A. Ellison returns the salute of Mac Ross of Dayton, Ohio, as he passes down the flight line during review of the first class of Tuskegee cadets at the U.S. Army Air Corps basic and advanced flying school in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. |
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Tom Dennis, spokesman for the Rocky Mountain wing of the Commemorative Air Force, said the message of overcoming hardship will be particularly inspiring to children and families.
“I think it’s a great thing for youth today to see and hear about what people went through in history,” Dennis said. “It’s about that you can do what you want to do or be what you want to be.”
The “Rise Above” exhibit details the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, the African-American men and women who were military pilots and support personnel before and during World War II.
Dennis, who has volunteered for the exhibit previously, said it was eye-opening to learn about the opposition and struggles that the Tuskegee Airmen had to overcome.
“I didn’t know what they went through to become pilots,” he said.
“It’s important to know our history outside of what movies show, because those aren’t necessarily historically accurate.”
The exhibit is free and open to the public, though certain morning times are already reserved for school groups.
The exhibit, also sponsored by the CAF Red Tail Squadron, will be open from 1:45 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21-23 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Commemorative Air Force museum, 780 Heritage Way, at Grand Junction Regional Airport.
To schedule a community group viewing in the afternoons, call Tom Dennis at 260-9002.
To schedule a private ride on a J-3 Cub, a World War II flight training aircraft, call Kent at 931-3700.
“I think it’s a great thing for youth today to see and hear about what people went through in history,” Dennis said. “It’s about that you can do what you want to do or be what you want to be.”
The “Rise Above” exhibit details the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, the African-American men and women who were military pilots and support personnel before and during World War II.
Dennis, who has volunteered for the exhibit previously, said it was eye-opening to learn about the opposition and struggles that the Tuskegee Airmen had to overcome.
“I didn’t know what they went through to become pilots,” he said.
“It’s important to know our history outside of what movies show, because those aren’t necessarily historically accurate.”
The exhibit is free and open to the public, though certain morning times are already reserved for school groups.
The exhibit, also sponsored by the CAF Red Tail Squadron, will be open from 1:45 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21-23 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Commemorative Air Force museum, 780 Heritage Way, at Grand Junction Regional Airport.
To schedule a community group viewing in the afternoons, call Tom Dennis at 260-9002.
To schedule a private ride on a J-3 Cub, a World War II flight training aircraft, call Kent at 931-3700.