Tell me about your experience with the Tuskegee airmen.

About 10 years ago I had the opportunity to meet some of the old Tuskegee airmen. I purchased a picture of them for my granddaughter. It was signed by a few of the original Tuskegee airmen that were alive at the time. My understanding is Lockbourne Army Air Base was a gateway for them. Lockbourne is now Rickenbacker. There is a sign on 104 that lists the Tuskegee airmen. I guess it was a way to get to and from the base.

In 1946 the Tuskegee Airmen were stationed at Lockbourne Army Air Base (named changed to Rickenbacker in 1974).

After visiting the Veterans Museum, I started thinking about my grandfather’s service. My grandfather, Odell Dawkins, served in World War II from 1943 to 1945. He drove a truck. He was at the invasion in Normandy. He was on a ship to go to Japan, but the war ended. He was in shock when he returned home. Looking back, he probably had PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). As a youth I don’t ever recall him saying much, but he sure started talking later when we would go on golf outings. 

I attend game night with a few Veterans. One game night I decided to start a conversation about their experience in the military.

I talked to Lee Hodge (Strategic Air Command), Raymond Young (Airborne),  James Christian (provost Marshall’s office) and Clifford Young (Amphibious Construction Battalion, and Seabees).