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WWII pilot who broke racial barriers gets airtime
Leslie O'Hare interviews local hero Calvin Spann about his experiences as a Tuskegee Airman. - Photo courtesy of Jim Brevard
By Conner Hammett, chammett@acnpapers.com
An Allen resident who counts himself among the first African American military pilots in the country will get to share his story next month on KFWD, Channel 52.
Lieutenant Calvin Spann, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, was interviewed Saturday, June 26, by Leslie O’Hare at The Reel Thing Catfish Café for “’Spotlight’ w/ Leslie,” an upcoming addition to KFWD’s morning lineup.
The Tuskegee Airmen is the name given to a group of World War II fighter pilots who broke racial barriers as the first African American fighter pilots in the U.S. military. The pilots often faced discrimination in the military, which was still segregated in the 1940s.
“(The segregation) was the hardest part,” he said. “You love your country just as much as anybody else, and have to fight for it in a different way. You decide that you’re going to prove your point, because they said you couldn’t do it.”
O’Hare said interviewing Spann was educational, inspiring, and empowering not only for her, but her audience as well.
"I know what my viewers will receive from that interview is confidence, inspiration, and being empowered by such a phenomenal man who has given his life for our country,” she said. “(He) stands strong today to re-live the moment, with such admiration, at the same time, for the privilege he had in his life to be a Tuskegee Airman.”
For Spann, paving the way for other African Americans to excel is one of the most rewarding parts of being a Tuskegee Airman.
“(I lived) to prove my point and see it,” he said. “I have professional black pilots come to me and say ‘Thank you sir. Because of you, I got my job.’”
Spann, who received the Congressional Gold Medal from former president George W. Bush and attended the inauguration of president Barack Obama, is a regular fixture at Reel Thing, a restaurant which also serves as Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2195.
Jim Richmond, senior vice commander of the post, said he hopes the interview will inspire young people to further explore the history behind the first African American airmen.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Calvin to tell his story for kids, especially young black kids,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to be exposed to that history, to know their accomplishments, and maybe to get a toehold on studying history.”
Spann said he gives just as much credit to the mechanics who took care of the planes as he does the more often-heralded pilots.
“We’re fliers, and people kind of looked at us as special. I never ever want to talk without giving credit to the mechanics who keep us up there,” he said. “We gave them that same respect overseas. (The mechanic) would call it his airplane. He would say ‘take care of my plane, lieutenant,’ and he might be a corporal. I don’t see any branch in the service that has that kind of thing between ranks, and the Air Force has it.”
Spann is not the only history-making pilot to call Reel Thing home. Dr. Theodore Fortier of Fairview is also one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and is a frequent visitor to the establishment.
Jim Brevard, a Vietnam veteran who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, said he is proud to know the two heroes.
“I feel fortunate to interact with those guys,” Brevard said. “They’ve conveyed a lot to me in terms of history that I wasn’t aware of before, since back then there wasn’t a lot written down about blacks in the military.”
“‘Spotlight’ w/ Leslie” is a television show which features entrepreneurs and individuals who impact their communities. The interview will air Tuesday, August 17 at 6 a.m. on KFWD Channel 52. The program will also stream from the show’s website, http://www.leslieoharemedia.com.
Spann regularly appears at Reel Thing for autograph signings. His next appearance is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 7.
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