Tuskegee Airmen, Buffalo Soldier To Speak At PS Air Museum

RANCHO MIRAGE – Legendary Tuskegee Airmen Bob and Mitch Higgenbotham will share their experience and answer questions at the Palm Springs Air Museum this Saturday.

“One question that always seems to crop up is why would you guys be willing to fight for a country which treated you the way you were treated,” says Mitch Higgenbotham, Bob’s older brother.

Mitch says it’s because of their patriotism.

The Airmen are legendary.

They’re accomplishments, nothing short of inspiring.

The first all black squad of pilots succeeded despite facing racial discrimination at every turn.

“The progress that’s been made since that time of great segregation, degradation and hatred up to the point where we have a black president,” says Doctor Bob Higgenbotham of Rancho Mirage.

The Airmen flew fighter support in thousands of missions in Europe, protecting heavy bombers during World War II.

Their courage and honor helped end segregation in the military.

“It’s always been our belief that the Tuskegee Airmen started the Civil Rights movement,” says Dr. Higgenbotham.

Bob, Mitch and the rest of the Airmen have many medals and honors to show for their service.

Most recently — they rode in the rose parade with a special float to celebrate their accomplishments.

A 12 by 60 foot mural of their efforts hangs at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

They’ve inspired the next generation of African American pilots.

An important step they hope people will remember, not just this black history month, but forever.

“It’s a great source of satisfaction and pride now to see what progress has been made by students now and what they’ve become,” says Mitch.

You can hear more from them on Saturday February 20th at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

The museum will also have a retired member of the all-black World War II infantry division, “Buffalo Soldiers.”

The event starts at 1 p.m. and costs $5 to $12.