Garden City Community College strives to work hard at honoring and remembering several significant events in American history. Recently this year The Department of Public Safety at GCCC held a 9/11 remembrance Ceremony. With Veterans Day upon us, the Garden City Community College faculty decided to host something special during this time to honor those who fought for our country.

On Friday, November 8th the public was invited to the Pauline Joyce Fine Arts Building on campus to honor a select group of people specific to World War II. The Southwest Kansas Honor Guard and the Finney County Convention & Visitors Bureau invited Maine native to speak on his father’s behalf.

“I’m going to talk a little bit about my father’s experiences in Tuskegee. It’s really a story about time, it’s a story of courage, determination and patriotism as well,” speaker said.

The speaker has been keeping his father’s story alive since his passing in 2018. Tuskegee Airmen were the first group of African American men to fly miliary aircraft. Being the first African American service pilots in history is not to be forgotten.

“Most of the people who joined the Tuskegee aviation experiment really were just-like my dad- looking to do their part during the war. They were not looking for special treatment. They were looking to break away from the media worlds and determine they had what it takes to be able to fly and maintain high performance aircraft,” speaker said.

The Tuskegee airmen’s service in the military and especially in World War II is important the history of America. It is important to honor the lives that help protect and make The United States of America the country it is. The greatness America offers dates to people from times before us and will continue even after us.

“Veterans Day is for everybody to recognize freedom. Both Memorial Day and Veterans Day specially make these times special.” attendee said.