Orange County Mayor Demings honors local Tuskegee Airmen Chapter with proclamation

Since then, incorporated chapters of the Tuskegee Airmen have focused on honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of African Americans who participated in air crew, ground crew, and operations support training in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Locally, the Central Florida Chapter supports local communities in youth development of citizenship and scholarship while promoting aerospace, atmospheric, aviation, and cyberspace careers.

To honor this commitment to service, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings has ordered through the proclamation that February 27 is officially from here on forward Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated Chief Master Sergeant Richard R. Hall, Jr., Central Florida Chapter Day.

“The Tuskegee Airmen not only fought the Axis Powers during World War II, but they also fought segregation in the United States Armed Forces through nonviolent direct action,” said Mayor Demings. “Today, the Central Florida Chapter continues to showcase the qualities of pride and community service through their important work in the region.”

The Central Florida Chapter is named after Tuskegee Airmen Chief Master Sgt., Richard R. Hall, Jr., who maintained engines for the “Red Tails” P-51 aircraft. Hall also served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars before retiring and was one of 300 airmen to receive the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush in 2007. Hall passed away on January 25, 2021, at the age of 97.

Formed in 2019, the Central Florida Chapter is committed to investing in the next generation of aerospace professionals by supporting educational and engagement opportunities such as drone camps for students and outreach to JROTC units, as well as sponsoring aviation scholarships, sponsoring Toastmasters Young Leadership Program at Winter Park Community Center, and, most recently, celebrating a student member’s acceptance to the United States Naval Academy.

For more information, go to Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated Chief Master Sergeant Richard R. Hall, Jr., Central Florida Chapter.

Photo Caption L to R: Richard Sloane, Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council Member; Paulette Julien, Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council Chaplain; Mrs. Ruby Terry; Lyndel Mims; Junior Walter; Montoria Hubbard; Jerry L. Demings, Orange County Mayor; Sylvester Terry, Tuskegee Airmen Chapter President; Fred Robinson, Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council Chair; Dee Peoples; Charles Peoples; Jordan Laroche.