By Lucinda Dunn, Editor-in-chief

 Imagine risking your life for a country that does not consider you an equal. Imagine fighting on enemy soil only to return home to fight for your own rights as a citizen.  For the now eighty something year old Tuskegee Airmen, this was reality. Six decades after they completed their flawless World War II mission, the Tuskegee Airmen are awarded the congressional gold medal of honor. Thursday, March 29, 2007, President George W. Bush saluted the men who fought for this country during a time of blatant racism and discrimination.  These were men who not only fought for this country but fought with a perfect record. Not allowed to practice or fight with their white counterparts, the Tuskegee Airmen distinguished themselves by painting the tails of their airplanes red, which led to them becoming known as the “Red Tails.” The “Red Tails” lost no bombers to enemy fire during World War II.   

This month, we were privileged to speak with one of the Tuskegee Airmen—Major George Shade as he shares with us his experience as an Airman.  Major shade is one of the few remaining Tuskegee Airmen. Located in Lenoir, NC, we talked with him about his experience as a Tuskegee Airmen. Major Shade was informative, very easy to talk with and kept me on my toes with his quick wit and humor.   

 Runway: When did you go to the Tuskegee Institute? In 1941. I graduated high school and entered right after that. I received a BA in Industrial education. During World War II, I served in the Tuskegee 332nd Fighter Squadron and the 447th Bombardment Squadron. I was engaged in 37 combat flights. We flew more than 15,000 sorties and destroyed over 1,000 German aircraft.  

Runway: How difficult was it to train and become a pilot? What was the atmosphere like?

Very.  We were thought of as less than people. They thought we were ignorant and incapable of doing anything, let alone becoming pilots. However, through it  all we stuck together. We didn’t let it get us down. We would sing songs, and no matter what we stuck together.   

Runway: When you told your parents that you wanted to become a pilot, what were there thoughts?

 Well, my mother, who was very well traveled and rode on airplanes all the time, was very nervous. She kept saying that her baby might get killed. So, she was a typical mother and nervous for my safety. My mother’s occupation was nursing and my father was a mortician.  

Runway:  Major Shade, you and the Tuskegee Airmen are truly my heroes and considered by most to be one of the most exemplary group in history. Who are your heroes? 

George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson. I applaud them for their work in the civil rights movement and other accomplishments.  

Runway:  After serving your country, what type of life did you come back to? 

I worked as an official in public housing and  was co-owner of Shade Pavilion Rest home.   

Runway: Do you have children?  

Yes, I have 3 children. They are married and doing well. I am proud of them.  

Runway: Do you have reunions?

Yes, we have annual reunions. We are few in number, but we enjoy ourselves. We talk, reminisce about the past and catch up on each other’s lives.   

Runway: Tell us about some major differences about now versus then?   

 There is always room for improvement in society. One of the major differences in now versus then is the price of everything. In my day, a soda cost a nickel. To buy an ice cream cone, it was just a nickel too. A pack of cigarettes was about twenty cents a pack!  

Runway:  So, what are your hobbies ?  

I love spending time restoring cars. I have restored a 1975 Duster, a 1971 Cougar. I have about 14 cars. I also like gardening. Of course, I do a lot of public speaking and sharing information about my experience as a Tuskegee Airman. I spend time at my other home in Stone Mountain, GA as well.   

Runway: Thank you for your time and your courage. The Rock Hill Runway salutes you.  

Major Shade: 10-4 Roger and out.