News

Robins retreat celebrates, commemorates

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  The U.S. began numbering executive orders in 1789, Col. Warren Berry said in a brief history lesson at a retreat ceremony Tuesday, and since that time 13,466 have been issued.

The ceremony was held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of one of the most momentous executive orders, No. 9981 issued by President Harry Truman on July 26, 1948. Against the advice of his political advisors, Colonel Berry said, President Truman called for the full integration of the American military.

"Today we celebrate how far we have come, yet recognize how far we have to go," said Colonel Berry, commander of the 78th Air Base Wing.

The famed Tuskegee Airmen, a group of decorated black pilots in World War II, were hailed in the ceremony as pioneers in bringing respect to the military service of minorities. Two black representatives of the local Tuskegee Airmen chapter, Walter Randall and Willie Jones, attended the ceremony and said the Tuskegee Airmen inspired them to a career in the Air Force. They are both now retired.

"The fact that President Truman had the courage and the intestinal fortitude to do this was huge," said Mr. Randall in an interview following the ceremony.

Mr. Jones said he admired the Tuskegee Airmen for fighting for their country despite the way they were treated by it.

"They overlooked the fight back home for equality to defend democracy," he said.

Maj. Gen. Polly A. Peyer, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center commander, called the anniversary "a momentous occasion."

"I think it's easy for us who have served in the military in this generation to take for granted the opportunities that we have," she said.

The general noted although Truman issued the order in 1948, it took another six years before the last all-black unit was disbanded.

Maj. Gen. Allan R. Poulin, vice commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, said the work of fully integrating the military for females and minorities continues today.

"We are still finding new and innovative ways to integrate our armed forces," he said.