Update on Logistics Problems of Tuskegee Airmen Invited to Inauguration

[bigtree]

December 12, 2008

Tuskegee Airmen Honored With Invitation, but Challenged by Logistics


Many of the airmen, and their family and caretakers, tell us they are pleased about the invitation to see the first black president sworn in on Jan. 20, but they’re also concerned about the challenges they will face if they go to Washington — concerns that apply not only to the airmen who are being offered tickets but to many others, particularly older people, who want to attend the ceremony.

As you may know, most of the Tuskegee Airmen — the legendary elite force of black pilots and ground crew who were segregated into their own unit in World War II are over the age of 80 and many are frail. For most of them, getting to the inauguration is a daunting prospect. The original airmen (they will have to provide documentation) will receive tickets for themselves and one guest to the swearing-in ceremony at the West Front of the Capitol, but that doesn’t guarantee easy passage.

Not only are most hotels booked, and costly. But inauguration planners tell us that most people with tickets, including however many airmen respond to their invitation will probably have to walk at least several blocks, perhaps a half-mile, to their seats.

All airmen who want to go should contact their local chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. by Dec. 19. Those in states without chapters can e-mail Bob Rose, an officer of the organization, at: [e-mail], who is organizing the logistics.

Mr. Rose tells us that several people have contacted him with offers to serve as volunteers to help the airmen once they get to Washington and who want to donate money (see the Web site).

Mr. Rose says he is setting up a “logistics team” in Washington to take care of the airmen once they arrive. This would include a holding area where they could pick up their tickets in advance (tickets will not be mailed). There is some internal debate about how close the holding area should be to downtown, given that the city will be congested.

He also says he hopes to match up each airman with a “Good Samaritan,” one of a growing list of people who are offering to provide lodging or transportation to the airmen. The airmen would reconvene sometime on the morning of the 20th and then go as a group to the inauguration, perhaps in rented vans.

It is not clear how close they would be able to get to their seating, whether in vans together or individually, and in fact their exact seating has yet to be determined.

An inauguration planner tells us that it is impossible to say at this point how close any private vehicles will be able to get to the Capitol, in part because many streets will be closed to traffic, and she predicts gridlock. The Metro stations nearest to the Capitol are about half a mile away.


read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/tuskegee-airmen-honored-with-invitation-but-challenged-by-logistics/?hp

[ret5hd]

1. Good god, helicopter them in if need be.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting many of these men, speaking to a small group (less than 200) at my place of employment.

[commander bunnypants]

3. Same here

If I lived in DC I wouuld help any way I can

CB

[Captain Hilts]

2. Tell the Air Force to do something useful for once and get escorts for all of them. nt