By ALEX COSTELLO
Many of the Tuskegees, who are in their mid-80s, were worried that they might not be able to make it to the inauguration because of logistical problems. There were concerns about transportation to Washington, about how so many elderly men would be able to get around once they got there, and also where they were going to stay. But they managed to overcome the forces against them and were at the National Mall to witness the swearing-in of the 44th president.
Some of the Tuskegees made the trip down to Washington by themselves, and others went down as a group.
“I chartered a bus and we had almost a full load [from the Tri-State area] that went down with me,” said William Wheeler, of Hempstead, a former Tuskegee Airman. “We had a high representation of Tuskegee Airmen with us.”
The Tuskegees left late in the evening of Feb. 19 and, hitting almost no traffic at all (a surprise to everyone on the bus, who were expecting long delays because of the expected crowd), arrived in Washington around 2:30 a.m.
"We were greeted at the Bolling Air Force Base Officer’s Club," said Clayton Lawrence, of Queens. "They had breakfast for everyone, and very gracious hosts all over the place. You didn’t have to do anything for yourself.
"And that continued throughout the whole day until we were back on the bus to come home," he added.
According to Ed Monroe, of Freeport, the chapter president for the Tri-State area chapter of the Tuskegees, there were about 25-30 Tuskegees from the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area at the inauguration.
After their reception at Bolling, the Tuskegees were given an option: they could either watch the inauguration or the parade afterwards. Most chose the inauguration.
"I’ve seen a ton of parades!" said Lawrence. "Too many of them, actually. So the parade was of no significance to me. If I want to see a parade, I’ll wait for the Rose Bowl again."
The Tuskegees sat about 200 yards from the dais where Obama was sworn in. They were able to watch the entirety of the ceremony; from Aretha Franklin's spirited rendition of "My Country Tis of Thee," to the beautiful original John Williams composition written specifically for the inauguration, and ending with Obama's speech.
"And one of the things that moved me is that everyone seemed to be in rapt attention while he was speaking," said Wheeler. "You would think that it’s like being at ball game or something, with people yelling back and forth, drinking beer and that stuff. But it was quiet, and people were very respectful of the occasion.
"And I couldn’t believe that thousands of people like that could be that respectful, but they were," he added. "It was very solemn."
For many of the Tuskegees, seeing the inauguration in-person was something that they didn't think they would ever live to experience. "It was a wonderful event," Lawrence said. "And certainly, and without question, a once-in-a-lifetime event for me and the whole country. Well, the first of future-occurring once-in-a-lifetime events."
"America has become America," said William Johnson, a Glen Cove resident and a former Tuskegee. "America has become everything it was supposed to be. Change has come."
After everything was done, the Tuskegees boarded their bus and, 14 hours after they arrived, started the trip back home at about 4:30 p.m. The trip was long and tiring, but for everyone there, it was definitely worth it.
"I was just happy and privileged that President Obama was kind enough to invite us," Lawrence said. "As he stated, he’s standing on our shoulders, and we all stand on someone else’s shoulders.
"But he was especially proud of us and honored to invite us to the inaugural ceremony," Lawrence added. "And we, in turn, were more than honored to be part of that ceremony, considering the historical magnitude of the event."
Comments about this story? ACostello@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 207.
