Orlando Science Center, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner Robert Stuart, Vision of Flight and 12 Red Tail Pilots Unveil A Firstof-its-Kind National Monument for Veterans On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2013 at 10 a.m., Orlando Science Center with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner Robert Stuart, Red Tail pilots, Vision of Flight and many guests dedicated the first monument in the nation to honor the Red Tail pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen. The iconic monument is located outside the east entrance to the Science Center and welcomes visitors with its 12-foot spire and inspirational message. The ceremony will also included a flyover by a P-51 Mustang — the same type of plane flown by Red Tail pilots during World War II — courtesy of Kermit Weeks, founder of Polk City-based Fantasy of Flight. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 3 City Commissioner Robert F. Stuart, Orlando Science Center President and CEO JoAnn Newman, Vision of Flight President Mike McKenzie, and 12 Red Tail pilots will attend.The monument is made by possible by Syd Levy of United Trophy Manufacturing, Inc. The monument welcomes guests into the Science Center and engages them in the exploration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts and careers, including aviation science. While there are several monuments dedicated to the Tuskegee Airman, the statue at Orlando Science Center is the first in the nation to specifically honor the Red Tail pilots. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces. There were 932 pilots trained at Tuskegee, Ala., of whom 356 airmen were considered an elite group of fighter pilots that were sent to various bases in Europe. Flying escort for heavy bombers, the pilots earned an impressive combat record.The Allies called these talented airmen “Red Tails” or “Red-Tail Angels” because of the distinctive crimson paint predominantly applied on the tail section of the unit’s aircraft. Today, there are fewer than 33 surviving Red Tail pilots. Article Source Orlando Science Museum/ Photos by Hotspotorlando
About a Monument For the Veterans