On Saturday, Alan Grayson joined other local leaders at a "Legacy Luncheon" honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American military pilots. In World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen shot down over 100 Nazi aircraft. Thanks to the Tuskegee Airmen, the U.S. military was desegregated in 1948. Last year, the Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal. Over 150 Tuskegee Airmen made the ultimate sacrifice defending their country.
The keynote speaker at the Legacy Luncheon was Vernice Armour, the Marine Corps' first African-American woman pilot, and the first African-American woman combat pilot. Ms. Armour completed two tours of duty in the Persian Gulf during the war in Iraq. Several of the original Tuskegee Airmen, now in their 80s, where honored in the ceremony. As one wryly noted, "I'm just happy to be able to make it back to another one."
Alan with NAACP Orange County President Rev. Randolph Bracy and his wife LaVon
Joining Alan's table at the event were NAACP Orange County President Rev. Randolph Bracy and his wife LaVon, State Senator Gary Siplin, State Representative Geraldine Thompson and her husband Judge Emerson Thompson Jr., Orange County Soil and Water Commissioner Susan Clary, Orange County Executive Board member Doug DeClue, and Classroom Teachers Association Board member Carl Howard.
Alan was proud to experience living history. As State Representative Geraldine Thompson often reminds us, history is all around us, in the exciting lives of people in our own community.
Alan with State Representative Geraldine Thompson and her husband Judge Emerson Thompson Jr.
Alan has spent the last several years supporting our troops in the current war, by making sure that unscrupulous defense contractors do not provide inferior and faulty equipment to our troops. Our country needs leaders in Congress like Alan Grayson, who have fought for the men and women protecting our country.
Unlike the other candidates for Congress, Alan has done a lot more than pay lip service to the needs of our troops. While Ric Keller and the Bush administration claim that they support the troops, they have done little or nothing to protect our troops. For years they have refused to investigate claims of inferior equipment; they have done little to support soldiers' families while those soldiers are abroad; and they have cut health care for those troops after they have returned home. Regardless of anyone's feelings about the war in Iraq, our soldiers should know that our leaders respect and honor their service to our country.
Alan Grayson has demonstrated that respect and honor, by prosecuting war profiteers. Alan Grayson is the only candidate in this race who has actually fought for our troops, and won. He has helped protect our troops, while also recovering millions of dollars in stolen taxpayer money. While other candidates talk about the war in Iraq, Alan Grayson has done something about it - something unique and important.
This year, choose the candidate who has a record of leadership. On August 26th and November 4th, choose Alan Grayson for Congress.