VHS

Tuskegee Airmen - Afterglow
Detroit Historical Museum
13 Nov 85
Nate Carr

VHS tape containing camcorder footage shot at the Tuskegee Airmen International Salute Dinner on November 13, 1985, as well as at the afterglow event at the Detroit Historical Museum. The banquet's master of ceremonies is Tom Fox of WJBK, and the year's Meritorious Achievement Award winner and keynote speaker is Otis Smith of the law firm Lewis, White, and Clay, and formerly of the Michigan Supreme Court and General Motors.

The tape opens with the on-screen text, "Tuskegee Airmen 1985 Reception and Dinner," over footage of attendees seated at tables tied with blue balloons. Tom Fox then takes the podium to give an introductory speech. Master Sergeant Howard Ferguson then oversees the posting of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. An opening prayer from Father William Cunningham of the Church of the Madonna and Focus: HOPE. The head table guests are then introduced by Fox. Coleman A. Young's executive assistant Edward Vaughn then provides a welcome on behalf of the absent mayor, and discusses Young's service in the Tuskegee Airmen. Fox takes the podium again to then give a history of the organization, and to introduce the 1945 propaganda film "Wings for This Man," which is not included in this recording. The video picks back up with Fox recognizing members of the Airmen who are in the audience. Mary Lou Parks then reads a welcome message on behalf of Governor James Blanchard, which talks about the plans for the Tuskegee Airmen Center of Excellence Museum at Fort Wayne. Tuskegee Airmen president Henry Bowman then takes the podium to talk further about the group. The video then cuts again while the attendees eat.

The next section of the presentation concerns the Tuskegee Airmen's involvement with education. Wardell Polk of the organization recognizes a group of Detroit Public Schools students in the audience, the calls upon the director of the Detroit Public Schools' Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Aerospace Technical Education Center. The director discusses the vocational school which is named after the Air Force general who served in the Airmen. Fox returns to recognize students from Highland Park's R.O.T.C. program and Cass Technical High School.

Fox then reads a proclamation from Wayne County Executive William Lucas. Arthur Carter of Wayne County Community College then delivers a pair of proclamations from Detroit City Council to honoree Otis Smith and the Tuskegee Airmen National Center of Excellence Museum, the latter of which is accepted by Major General Lucius Theus then presents. Theus gives journalist and documentarian Ted Talbert an award for his television special, "An Eagle Should Fly." In his acceptable speech, Talbert discusses how his interest in the Airmen was fueled by a teacher who served in the unit. He then thanks the Airmen who aided him in making the documentary. Theus then recognizes army nurses Nancy Colon and Della Raney for their service. Finally Theus introduces Otis Smith and presents him with a plaque.

Otis Smith details the involvement of African Americans in military conflicts ranging from Crispus Attucks to the Vietnam War, with a special focus on the Tuskegee Airmen. After the speech, Theus and Fox provide closing remarks, Ferguson oversees the retirement of the colors, and Rev. Norman Osborne of Bethel A.M.E. Church offers a closing prayer.

The final portion of the take covers the afterglow reception at the Detroit Historical Museum. Activity in the Streets of Old Detroit, and outside the Old Detroit Shop on the first floor is filmed. An exhibit of Thanksgiving parade costumes and float elements, a toy exhibit on the first floor, and a military uniform in a case in the Kirby lobby are on display in the background.

The video is on a Maxell T-120 tape with a handwritten Maxell label on the top, and a T-120 HS label on the side. The tape is housed within a silver cardboard Maxell Professional Industrial T-120 sleeve.