Cision PRNewswire
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Old Guys and Their Airplanes will feature Tuskegee Airman Brigadier General Charles McGee, an American hero of the United States Air Force General, during a live broadcast interview Sept. 2 at 11 a.m.
McGee is one of the few surviving members of WWII’s 332nd Fighter Group, a unit of African American military airmen formed during the era’s culture of unit-segregation by race.
He served in WWII, The Korean War and Vietnam War, accumulating an astounding 409 combat missions. His civilian service is marked by extensive honors including the nation’s highest civilian award, The Congressional Gold Medal. Now, at age 100, he remains an active role model to youth, promoting his mantra of personal success, “Perceive, Prepare, Perform and Persevere.”
“There’s an old saying,” said aviation artist John Mollison, “‘When an old man dies, a library burns.’ General McGee’s life is a huge library that all Americans can check out, learn from, and leverage for positive impact in our lives and communities.”
Mollison, who is also a writer and filmmaker, will conduct the interview as part of the award-winning history brand, Old Guys and Their Airplanes. The Distinguished Flying Cross Society will sponsor the live “debrief” interviews as part of their commitment to ensuring that the stories of its members’ heroic actions are made available to the general public.
“Our mission is to provide community outreach projects that educate, enlighten and entertain,” explained Fritz Miller, director of marketing for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. “When we learned how the DFCS and OGTA were working to continue their own missions of promoting American history, especially in this COVID-19 environment, we wanted to support their work.”
SDPB will provide broadcast support, making the interview available at no cost to the public with emphasis on educators and group leaders.
“We have over 3,500 members and each one has a story that proves ordinary people can rise to meet extraordinary challenges. General McGee’s example personifies the achievements within our group and the values we hope to inspire in others,” stated Bruce Huffman, DFCS chairman of the board.
To watch the live interview and participate in the Q&A portion, visit https://www.sdpb.org/ogtadebrief.