In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, honor and courage can sometimes seem like outdated concepts, relegated to the pages of history books.
Owens Community College is doing its part to make history come alive with its Dec. 9 holiday tribute concert to the famed flying aces known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
“For the last three years we have done tributes honoring veterans. Our show marking the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attracted an audience of around 600 people, and we’re hoping to be able to at least match that this year,” said Fred Dais, Owens adjunct instructor in fine and performing arts and concert band conductor.
The Tuskegee Airmen were an elite group of African-American pilots in the 1940s, though this term also includes navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors and all the personnel who kept their planes in the air.
The show will feature the college band performing patriotic tunes and holiday classics in honor of the airmen, including Catawba Island’s own Lt.Col. Harold H. Brown, who will be on hand as part of a special tribute.
During World War II, Brown served in the 332nd Fighter Group and completed 30 missions before being shot down and held as a prisoner of war in Germany. He returned home in1945 and served more than 23 years in the U.S. Air Force.
“I’ve always been interested in the Tuskegee Airmen. This tribute came about because I read an article about how their numbers were diminishing,” Dais said. “I felt that we needed to honor their service and that it was something that had to happen as soon as possible. I want people who attend this show to come away feeling good and to just know how lucky we are to live in this country and that there are heroes out there yet, like Lt. Col. Brown, who should be celebrated.”
The free concert is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre. Musical selections will include “Stars and Stripes for Christmas,” “Harlem Nocturne,” “A Jazzy Christmas.”“March Grandioso,” “Of Honor and Valor,” “A Hanukkah Festival,” “Winterfest” and “Merry Christmas Everyone,” among others.
Lt. Col. Brown,who will be serenaded as part of a special encore, will be available after the concert to answer questions.
For more information, call (567)661-7081 or visit www.owens.ed
