NC men spread the word of Tuskegee Airmen

SNOW HILL, N.C. - Separate and un-equal is a basic theme of the past when it came to black individuals.
    
And it was even evident during wartime.
    
However, some brave black airmen in World War II defied the odds and paved the way for generations to come.
    
Now, two North Carolina men are doing what they can to spread the word of the Tuskegee Airmen.

“I made a promise to many of the original ones that I knew that as long as I am able, I will come and tell the people, anybody to tell the story about our history,” said retired Air Force Technical Sgt. Leonard "Hawk" Hunter.

He and retired Air Force Colonel Chester Beverly are not original Tuskegee Airmen. However, they were trained by them and helped found the Tuskegee Airmen chapter in Goldsboro.
    
“I met many of the original Red Tails and I got to know them personally.  I got to know their stories,” said Hunter.

“If it hadn't been for them, I don't think I would have made it because it was difficult,” said Col. Chester Beverly, retired Air Force.
    
Back in 1941, a group of black pilots and support personnel would form the famed group later to be known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
    
Even though the country was in World War II, there was still segregation between blacks and whites in the military. But these black men wanted to serve their country.
    
“The Tuskegee experience was programmed to fail.  But it was the men said they would not fail,” said Beverly. 
    
Once given the chance, they flew combat missions in North Africa and Europe earning hundreds of medals for their heroism.
    
Most recently, the movie Red Tails was made to show what these brave men did.

“Those men took things that I don't know if I could have done it or not.  But they had a mission, they had a dream long before Martin Luther King had his dream. They said I’m going to be a fighter pilot,” said Hunter.
    
During Black History Month, Hawk and Colonel Beverly are telling the stories of the Red Tails to school children.
    
Tuesday, they told the students of West Greene Elementary School in Snow Hill.
    
Not only do they want this new generation to know about these heroes, they want it to be a learning experience.
    
“Perseverance, leadership, being able, if you love something, if you love this country like we do, then be able to fight for it, be able to die for it, like some 66 of them did. Be proud, very proud,” said Hunter.

There were 20 Tuskegee Airmen from North Carolina.