Date:  February 14–22, 2004
Time:  12:00 - 4:00 pm
Location:  Reckson Center Atrium, 2nd Floor
Museum admission not required

Visitors to the Cradle of Aviation will be able to meet the Tuskegee Airmen during February vacation week, from 12 Noon until 4:00PM daily from February 14th-22nd. The Cradle will offer workshops in which families will be able to build replicas of the famed Tuskegee P-51 Mustang, one of the planes successfully flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. They will also be able to decorate their planes with “Red Tails”, the distinctive markings of the Airmen. The Tuskegee planes have been generously sponsored by GEICO Direct.

“The Tuskegee Airmen are true American heroes, they established the incredible and unprecedented record of flying more than 200 bomber escort missions without the loss of a single bomber to enemy aircraft. They were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen, at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism, to serve in our nation’s Air Force,” said Claudia Oakes, Chief Operating Officer of the Cradle of Aviation. “The outstanding record of accomplishment of black airmen during World War II, was an important factor in the initiation of the historic social change to achieve racial equality in America.”

“Serving with the Tuskeegee Airmen was a great privilege,” said Hempstead resident William Wheeler. “I remember the day in 1948 when President Harry Truman enacted Executive Order Number 9981 which directed equality of treatment and opportunity in all of the United States Armed Forces. A law, which in time, led to the end of racial segregation in the military.”

“Long Island is fortunate to have a facility as unique as the Cradle of Aviation,” said Wheeler. The Cradle not only houses the aircraft that are such a vital part of Long Island’s aviation history, but has provided a stage for the Tuskegee Airmen to share our proud accomplishments with the youth of Long Island, who need to know that anything is attainable in this country through persistence and education.”

Visitors will also have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the heroic veterans and also purchase autographed copies of books about the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s IMAX® Dome Experience is showing the following films hourly: Magic of Flight, Straight Up and Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure. For schedule and prices call 516-572-4111. Museum Hours: 9:30am-2pm on Tuesday. 9:30am-5pm Wednesday- Sunday. Closed Monday (Open Monday & Tuesday 2/16–2/17 9:30–5:00 for the President's Week break). The museum is located on Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City, adjacent to Nassau Community College.

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