Reception planned for 3 p.m. on Memorial Day at air museum

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Howard County Memorial Corporation is dedicated to uplifting the legacies of the brave men and women who fought for our country through world-class public art, monuments, and exhibitions.

During “Military Appreciation Month” in May, HCMC hosted nationally lauded muralist Malcom Byers to execute a large-scale mural dedicated to “Hometown Heroes.” Portraits of five Tuskegee Airmen originating from Howard County were unveiled on May 14 in downtown Kokomo, at 217 N. Main St. Families of the airmen were honored with a proclamation from the State of Indiana by State Rep. Mike Karickhoff.

The mural served as a preview for HCMC’s upcoming national traveling exhibition “Tuskegee Airmen: America’s Freedom Flyers,” set to open on Memorial Day at Grissom Air Museum at 3 p.m.

Both projects have been embraced by and supported widely within the region and are made possible by significant funding from more than 30 organizations, including the Community Foundation of Howard County, the Severns Family Fund, Sunbelt Rentals, UAW Region 2-B, UAW 685, the VFW, and many other veterans’ groups and local businesses.

Robin Williams serves as curator and designer for the exhibition, created in partnership with national historians Zellie Orr and Craig Huntly.

Visitors to Grissom Air Museum will have the opportunity to learn about local “Hometown Heroes” and view 44 panels and 50 artifacts dedicated to the 83-year legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen worldwide. The 2006 Congressional Medal of Honor, large-scale model planes by Bill Hence, and photographs by John Slemp will be highlighted.

Charles T. Hall, son of Charles B. Hall, the first African-American pilot shoot down the enemy in World War II, will make a special appearance, among other community and state leaders.

After a six-month run at Grissom Air Museum, the exhibition will travel to other locations around the country.

“The ‘Tuskegee Airmen: America’s Freedom Flyers’ Exhibition is important to military history,” said Tom Jennings, Grissom Air Museum Executive Director. “It also tells the important stories of heroes who were a part of our community and served our nation in WWII. The Grissom Air Museum is honored to be the first stop hosting this incredible traveling exhibit.”

Educational programming started in February in partnership with Indiana University-Kokomo and will continue into the fall with Grissom Air Museum and the Kokomo Howard County Public Library. Offerings will include activity kits for youth, family access passes, speakers, and tours.

For more details or complete information on the Tuskegee Airmen featured in these projects, contact HCMC at v.p.hocomemorial@gmail.com.