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40 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2022 This month, I had both the pleasure and privilege of interviewing our very own AACC member, Don Fleming. As a child, Don remembers thinking that successful Black men were usually professional athletes or entertainers. However, after learning about the Tuskegee Airmen from his parents, he said he found he could achieve any goal he could imagine. Don is a retired General Electric aircraft mechanic with jet engine specialization. In the early 1940s, US Armed Forces were segregated. Black men served in supporting roles and were prohibited from being pilots. Military leadership believed that Blacks did not have the intelligence and skills necessary to fly. In 1941, however, because of the Tuskegee Airmen's outstanding performances, the U.S. Army Air Corps began an experimental flight program at Tuskegee Institute. It was no surprise that graduates of the program not only proved they could fly, but also proved to be excellent pilots. Thus began the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. From 2015 to 2022, Don Fleming was president of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Buford A. Johnson Chapter, located in Moreno Valley. Don became involved with this chapter after an amazing chance meeting at a family reunion where he actually met Buford A. Johnson, a DOTA: Documented Original Tuskegee Airman. Don, a Vietnam Veteran, was excited to have met Mr. Johnson who made a lasting impression on both him and his wife, Denise. He described Mr. Johnson as a humble man who loved his country — a living example of the Tuskegee Airmen's six guiding principles: aim high, believe in yourself, use your brain, be ready to go, never quit, and expect to win. DOTA Johnson shared that he was the first top-gun mechanic in the military but even with this exemplary status, it was difficult to get quality airplanes for Black pilots. When First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt took a flight with a Tuskegee airman, she was so impressed that she insisted they should be given better quality planes. They soon received new P15s. Interviewing Don affirmed that Tuskegee Airmen are American heroes. They excelled at flying, and despite many injustices, they persevered — overcoming prejudice, discrimination, and bias in the military while serving their country. They paved the way for future generations of Black men to have more positive experiences in the military. The moral of the story: Every man cannot be a Tuskegee Airman hero, but every man can be a hero to his family. Happy Father's Day! The African American Cultural Club meets the first Monday of the month at 6 pm in The Lodge Game Room. All are invited to attend and learn more about African-American culture. Our next meeting will be on Monday, June 6. If you have questions, please contact Wanda Valentine at (951) 544-1606. ~ Jane Gentry African American Cultural Club Four Seasons Veterans Park July 27, 1995 – The Korean War Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington by President Clinton and South Korean President Kim Young-sam. In our Four Seasons Veterans Park, our first venue covers the Korean War. The second venue covers the military history of General George Patton. ~ Len Tavernetti, ltavernetti@hotmail.com AACC member Don Fleming

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