By Dana Klosner-Wehner
The pair has been producing the show for several years, and originally performed it at the old library in Elmont. Up until this year, the show was strictly entertainment. “This year’s show was very educational because we included black history,” BiLlee T said.
On the show’s list of honorees were members of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, America’s first African-American military airmen. The 332nd fighter group is reputed to have never lost a bomber that it escorted during the war. “Bombers were going down by the dozens,” explained one of the Airmen, William Wheeler, who was a lieutenant in the Army Air Corp. The Germans would send out decoy planes to distract the escorts, Wheeler said. “Ten men died each time a bomber was shot down, and they would lose 90 or 100 in one day,” he said.
“The commander told us we would be given an assignment to escort the bombers and protect them,” Wheeler recalled. “We were told to stay with the bombers at any cost — not to chase the Germans and leave them vulnerable. It is reputed that we never lost a bomber. Some say we lost two bombers, but that’s nothing like the hundreds lost with other groups.”
Of the tribute, Wheeler said, “It was a wonderful event. I didn’t know what to expect. BiLlee T and Marcia are stars. It was a joy meeting both of them.”
Also honored was the USS Mason DE-529, one of two ships in the U.S. Navy that had largely African-American crews during World War II. “We were a supply ship,” said James Graham, who was a member of the ship’s original crew — a radioman, Petty Officer Second Class. “We took soldiers and equipment to the invasion of Normandy.”
“It was wonderful being honored,” Graham said of the event. “The show was terrific.”
Another honoree was Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, the town’s first African-American councilwoman. “I’m very happy to be here in the presence of these World War II vets,” Goosby said. “We would not be here without what they have done for us. I’m honored to receive this award.”
Goosby and the other honorees were treated to quite a show. Pharr Thomas, a soul singer, has been in the entertainment industry since 1979, and BiLlee T is an accomplished drummer, singer, songwriter, producer, actor, poet, dancer and professional skater. The couple has toured in Europe and performed all over the tristate area.
The show also included celebrity impersonator CP Lacey, who morphed into James Brown, Michael Jackson and President Obama. James “Ajax” Baynard sang and played the trumpet.
“They are not only a part of black history,” Pharr Thomas said of the honorees. “They are a part of American history.”
Comments about this story? JOConnell @liherald.com.
