They flew high

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich honored four of the original Tuskegee Airmen at a recent meeting of the Board of Supervisors. The fighters–called Tuskegee Airmen because they trained in special “colored” facilities in Tuskegee, Ala.–were actually members of the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, all-Black portions of the United States Army Air Corps.  The airmen, who distinguished themselves, in Europe during World War II, were popularized in the 2011 movie, “Red Tails.” The four are, from left, Theodore “Ted” Lumpkin, Levi Thornhill, Ed Tillmon, Supervisor Antonovich and Lowell Steward Jr. Most of the original airmen are now deceased. “The Tuskegee Airmen serve as role models and mentors to youth of all ages at schools throughout Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Antonovich.