We have completed our sixth year as a Tuskegee Airmen Chapter in the Memphis area.

During the past year we offered a combined total of three (3) Memphis Chapter Educational Assistance Fund and Aviation Assistance Fund (Scholarship) awards of $1000 each. We allocated $1500 to be used by our members to conduct the June 2002 Summer ACE Camp for youth ages 14-18 yrs. In February 2003 we hosted the MEMPHIS AVIATION PROFESSIONALS Annual Luncheon and Youth Awards. Our chapter also provided tickets for students to attend this luncheon at no cost to the students.

In May 2002 and April 2003, we hosted an Aviation Day and Red Tail P-51 Aircraft Presentation for several hundred students to be introduced to original Tuskegee Airmen and various types of aircrafts that we arranged to have displayed at Millington airport in the Memphis area.

In October 2002 we co-sponsored an Aviation Career Day to have Aviation Professionals visit Memphis City Schools and we hosted an Aviation Networking Reception with an original Tuskegee Airmen as guest speaker.

For year 2003 we are again offering three (3) Memphis Chapter Assistance Fund (Scholarship) awards of $1000 each. In order to help to fund our programs we plan to engage in a profit raising activity or activities in October or November of this year.

In May 2003 at the MidSouth Airshow, we will be providing volunteers to manage the seating areas for the US Navy Blue Angels family and guest, Press, and the Flightline "paid seating area". At the "paid seating area" our members collect thousands of dollars to benefit the Madonna Learning Center for Children with disabilities and other Mid-South Airshow Foundation designated charities.

Participation in the MidSouth Airshow is a highly visible public relations event for our chapter. It is a great place to proudly wear and display the "Memphis Chapter Tuskegee Airmen" logo on our polo shirts to thousands of citizens who attend the airshow.

There are many youths who are in need of our financial assistance, and our moral and professional guidance. I continue to receive requests for motivational speakers as well as requests for mentors. Regardless of your profession, you can help. Young people need motivation and must be aware of alternatives to alcohol, drugs, gangs, and violence. The positive impacts we have already made in the lives of many children, should convince each of us of the need for maintaining our chapter and the activities we engage in.

It is not necessary for you to be asked to be a members of one of the Standing Committees (Membership, Public Relations, Ways And Means, Archives, Bylaws, Educational, or Nominating). All of us have talents that can benefit others so if one of the committees interest you, I encourage you to join. Contact one of the Committee Chairmen and let he or she know you are interested.

As usual, I remind you that our goals and initiatives are geared toward youth. We must always keep this in mind as we meet and plan for the future. Tuskegee Airmen membership is open to any individual willing to share in accomplishing these goals. Our society is diverse and so must be our membership. We must strive to make any individual desiring to assist us in accomplishing our goals feel welcome; regardless of income, race, sex, national origin or any other differences. What is most important is that we all move in the same direction. Help whenever you can and encourage others to do the same whenever they can. Any help, no matter how small, is welcomed because it is better than no help at all.

Our next scheduled election of new Chapter Officers is during March 2004 with any new Officers assuming their duties by May, 2004. I thank each of you for your support over the last six years. I continue to need your help in accomplishing the many good things we do for our community.

It takes a Chapter to make something members can be a part of, but it takes members doing their part, to make the Chapter something members can be proud of.