WEBVTT

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^- [Male Narrator] These men were pioneers

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^of a venture so new

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that you who stand here before me now

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after three years

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may still be considered forerunners in the movement

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which has given you a place

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in the fighting men of the sky.

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- As a result of Colonel McGee

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and other men like him,

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by the end of the war

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by 1945,

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1.2 million African American men and women

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had served in World War II.

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That's what they did.

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You hear about,

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a lot about how one person can make a difference,

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This person

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made a difference.

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- Well the challenge pretty much at the time

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^was being accepted based on our ability

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^and so on, rather than the fact that

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there were those that felt that

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we didn't have the brain power

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or the fortitude to participate

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in a successful way.

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Fortunately, once given the opportunity

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they were able to disprove that.

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Because it's all about the person having education

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and developing the talent.

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And we found out that

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we could perform successfully.

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Didn't realize that that was happening

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when we got the opportunity to serve.

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But realized what it meant

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because the experience gave the Air Force the background

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to make a decision that affected all of our services

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and affected the country.

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I wasn't just glad to have served

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but doubly glad that it turned out to be that important.

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Even though that wasn't a goal for more reason to serve,

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at the time.

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I enjoy talking to students and getting their questions

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And answers.

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Because I realize the value of lessons

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that sustained us, if you will,

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through those periods that we don't want repeated.

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In many ways are still important for their growing up

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and taking part in the future of our country.

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So it's always a pleasure to talk to students

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who, hopefully get them to realize,

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they are the future of the country.

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And so their training, their attitudes

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are all very important.