60th Anniversary Of Tuskegee Airmen Is Observed New York Governor George Pataki is joined on the flight line by Tuskegeefighter pilots Roscoe Brown (left) and Lee Archer as a P-40 taxis behind them, similar to the aircraft the menfirst flew. (NAPSA)—The 60th anniver- sary of the mobilization of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II will be observed during Black History Month at the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, New York, thanks to a grant from Equal” Sweetener. The announcement was made with New York Governor George Pataki who called the effort, “an important tribute to men who confronted a two-front war some 60 years ago—Nazi fighters in the air and American segregation on the ground. This latest effort to use the Internet to tell their story is an effective way of reaching a new generation.” Educators from throughout the nation are being invited to direct their students to the museum’s Website. They will find a special section that includes images from the museum’s exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen and photosof the full scale replica of a P-51 Mustang fighter flown by Tuskegee ace Lee Archer during combat. The Web site address is www.americanair powermuseum.com. Mr. Archer stated, “This Mus- tang represents every one of us who hasbeen willing to fight—and to die—for our nation’sliberties.” Equal? executive Karl Sestak explained, “Equal is proud to be afforded the opportunity to support this Internet outreach program that seeks to bring the story of these amazing African-Americans into every classroom.” Sixty years ago the Tuskegee Airmen were reassigned from training bases to combat operations in North Africa and then defend American bombers striking Nazi targets. Their combat record was exemplary and helped spark the process of breaking segregation. Museum director Jeff Clyman said, “We are grateful to Equal Sweetener and its corporate parent, Merisant, for recognizing the importance of this effort. Under the leadership of its CEO Arnold Donald, recently named one of Fortune Magazine’s ‘50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America,’ Merisant has one of the highest percentages of minority executives and employees in the country. They are an example of how we can effect positive change throughout oursociety.”
