OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – There’s a buzz above Oshkosh this week, as its hosts the world’s largest aviation celebration.
Part of the festivities at EAA AirVenture Tuesday included a birthday for one of the Greatest Generation aviators. He was an icon in the sky.
“I congratulated him on the first Top Gun win and asked him if he’s done any loops in the P51 mustang and he said he can’t count how many,” said Aric Eisenhardt of Pardeeville.
An inspiration to future aviators.
“I did a couple of decades in the Marine Corps, flying for the Marine Corps, and it’s because of stuff these guys did that got me motivated to do what I’m doing and what I did,” added Jason Levy of Atlanta.
And during his latest visit to EAA AirVenture this week, Tuskegee Airman Col. James Harvey is celebrating his 101st birthday — surrounded by adoring fans, in awe of what he’s accomplished.
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.
“He’s one of the greatest people you’ll ever meet, and plus we’re losing Tuskegee Airmen all over the place, so if they talk, you listen,” said Hannah Weimar of Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Boeing officials were on hand for the party to present the Colonel with a model of the new T-7, a trainer that will be used for decades to come in the U.S. military.
“The T7, our new Air Force trainer, is modeled after the P40 and that red tail is so significant in aviation history, so it’s a true honor to be here today,” said Chris Broom from Boeing.
Gracious and humble to all he meets, Col. Harvey is proud of what he and his fellow aviators accomplished. He never forgets the way they were treated and how they overcame adversity, with hopes to instill a can-do attitude in younger generations to come.
According to Col. Harvey, “They said we didn’t have the ability to fly aircraft or operate heavy machinery. We were inferior to the white man and we were nothing. Well, we went on to prove them wrong at every turn. Hopefully we can win a few of them over.”
Col. Harvey said God willing, he will be back next year — and the crowds hope so, too.
The birthday celebration for Col. Harvey was hosted by the Commemorative Air Force at its AirVenture set up in the Kid-Venture area of the EAA grounds.
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