The club celebrated Juneteenth by honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. Stanford and yours truly launched the festivities with the Air Force song.
Stan’s inspirational message was a tribute to the aforementioned airmen. He recalled that day in the summer of 1865 when federal troops came to Galveston, TX, to ensure Black rights in that town.
Stan’s inspirational message was a tribute to the aforementioned airmen. He recalled that day in the summer of 1865 when federal troops came to Galveston, TX, to ensure Black rights in that town.
The Program
We were honored to have with us Bob Sheppard, a nationally recognized Tuskegee Airmen historian with a professional background in broadcasting and management.
Fun fact: Bob and I sang together in the now-defunct Portsmouth Men’s Chorus circa 2000.
We were honored to have with us Bob Sheppard, a nationally recognized Tuskegee Airmen historian with a professional background in broadcasting and management.
Fun fact: Bob and I sang together in the now-defunct Portsmouth Men’s Chorus circa 2000.
Bob’s passion for the subject stems from his father, who was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. It was he who told the story — via video — of World War II’s only all-Black air combat unit. He later took his fascinating recollections to some 15 states and five foreign countries. Mr. Sheppard passed away in 2018.
As the story goes, back in the day, the U.S. Army was desperate for combat pilots but hamstrung by segregation. FDR launched the Tuskegee program after his wife, Eleanor, went on a flight there.
Bob’s dad enlisted in 1940-41 and was told to report to a Long Island, NY, base the next day to be issued uniforms. From there, he was shipped straight to Alabama, encountering his first overt racism at Union Station in Washington, DC, where white and Black soldiers were split up. It was also at Union Station that Mr. Sheppard encountered segregated restrooms.
Bob’s dad enlisted in 1940-41 and was told to report to a Long Island, NY, base the next day to be issued uniforms. From there, he was shipped straight to Alabama, encountering his first overt racism at Union Station in Washington, DC, where white and Black soldiers were split up. It was also at Union Station that Mr. Sheppard encountered segregated restrooms.
Once at Tuskegee, the elder Sheppard noticed that all instructors were white. After two months of basic training, five of the newly minted Black soldiers reported to the Tuskegee fighter squadron as mechanics. Five others earned their wings in the first graduating class.
From there, Sheppard boarded a train bound for Hampton Roads, VA. There, it met a troop ship that crossed the Atlantic in a convoy of 80 vessels. The war became real off the coast of Spain as U-boats attacked.
Later, once settled into their RAF base, the unit sustained a German bombing attack the very next day.
While Mr. Sheppard was not a pilot, he was a mechanic skilled on the workhorse P-47 fighter plane. That made him almost more valuable than a pilot to the Army Air Force.
At war’s end, 66 Tuskegee Airmen were KIA and 32 had been POWs. More than 55 years later, President George W. Bush awarded all living members Congressional Gold Medals. Only five fighter pilots survive today. Amazingly, Daniel Keep, age 102 and an alum of the group, recently traveled to Italy to participate in commemorative ceremonies.
Before he passed, Mr. Sheppard served another 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Before he passed, Mr. Sheppard served another 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Before we leave the Tuskegee Airmen, mention must be made of pilot Wallace P. Reed, who became the Army’s first African American meteorologist. Reed was a Portsmouth High School and UNH graduate.
Formalities
In addition to Stan’s and yours truly’s contributions, new member Gi led us in the Four-Way Test.
Guests included, among others, Charlie Bourdage’s sisters and Yvonne’s mom, Anna, visiting from Norway (that’s right — not Poland).
New Members Extraordinaire
Julia Phelps and her husband Steve McKenzie were inducted into the club. But first they had to wade through a patented James Petersen introduction — perhaps the longest in Rotary history. Long enough, anyway, to draw a $5 fine from Jon Flagg.
Julia Phelps and her husband Steve McKenzie were inducted into the club. But first they had to wade through a patented James Petersen introduction — perhaps the longest in Rotary history. Long enough, anyway, to draw a $5 fine from Jon Flagg.
The couple sports impressive Rotary résumés that include being past presidents of the Amesbury, MA, club, past district governors, and service on ROI’s Board of Directors.
They are already in our record books for living closest to the Portsmouth Country Club — right at the end of the PCC driveway!
They are already in our record books for living closest to the Portsmouth Country Club — right at the end of the PCC driveway!
One More Fine
Counselor Flagg took one last opportunity to ding Ian Oneail for comments made about the Changing of the Guard rehearsal.
“That’s OK,” the president-elect told Jon. “We don’t really need you.” Geez.
Don’t Forget
Nancy Notis plugged the upcoming Greek Festival, to be held over the summer solstice, June 20–21. Always one of the summer’s signature events.
 | Steve Bennett claimed all $11 at play. The $325 bonus rolls over. |
Respectfully submitted, Juan Arroz
Photos by Don Chick and Sara Treacy
Photos by Don Chick and Sara Treacy
