Hero Statue Honors Forgotten Tuskegee Airmen Joe Gomer

A life-sized statue of the veteran of war, Joseph P. Gomer in his flight suit was dedicated and is now on display at the Duluth International Airport, 4931 Airport Road.

North of Duluth, Minnesota in the United States, is "where he became a nuclear weapons officer". His hometown of Iowa Falls, Iowa has also honored him with a statue.

Joe was in the first group of African Americans to serve in WWII as a Tuskegee Airman and reached the rank of Major before retiring from the Air Force after 22 years of service. He is credited with 68 missions as a fighter pilot protecting U.S. bombers.

The Northland Veterans Service Committee raised $48,000.00 through donations for a statue honoring Joe Gomer.

The unveiling of the life-sized statue was in June 2012, a week after Joe Gomer's 92nd birthday.

• I designed an Air Force Greeting Card with a photo of Joe's statue below.

Joe was honored to be in the audience in 2007 when President George W. Bush presented the Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal.

"President George W. Bush and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi stand amidst 300 Tuskegee Airmen during a photo opportunity Thursday, March 29, 2007, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian."

Joe was honored once again as one of the groups of Tuskegee Airmen veterans, who were invited to the inauguration of President Obama in 2009.

You can buy this greeting card that was digitally mastered from a photo of the statue of the WW II Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot hero Joseph Gomer. It is a perfect gift for an African American graduating from the US Air Force in congratulations.

"Joseph Gomer (June 20, 1920 – October 10, 2013) was an African-American pilot, best remembered as one of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen." - Wikipedia.

Joe's daughter wrote and published a web-site that is informative and an interesting tribute to her father.

For those of you who are avid readers, you might want to read about the history of this hero at A Tribute to my Father, Joseph Philip Gomer.

It was a top news story when this Tuskgee Airman passed away.

The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) Full Movie

When I listen to the video above, I am impressed with Joe's gentle and humble spirit. During his years of service in the United States Air Force, there was segregation of the Black Americans right from the start of BootCamp. What a shame that such prejudice existed even in the military.

The Tuskegee Airmen had to earn respect and that they did by flying successful missions. Their comrades in arms began to take notice of their heroic effects to protect and serve and honored them in the air.

The statue was temporarily housed at the Commemorative Air Force Museum at 4931 Airport Road in Duluth, MN, which is open for tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays and well worth a visit, too.

My sister was honored to meet Joe Gomer and his wife, Liz. Joe had celebrated his 92nd birthday on June 20th 2012! Joe continued to serve his community and veterans with a special mission to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and was the keynote speaker at the Duluth, MN Veterans Day event on 11.11.11 at the DECC Auditorium.

Joseph P. Gomer, the last living Tuskgee Airman living in Minnesota passed on to his final rest at the age of 93 during a final battle with cancer.

There's no use complaining, whatever befalls you;
Perhaps all your cares are but blessings disguised;
There are various ways in which duty may call you
To work out the plan she wisely devised.

Just take it for granted, your task is essential,
A part most important in nature's great plan;
A duty well done, is a noble credential;
And one to be honored, by God and by man.

So bravely perform every duty assigned you,
And never complain of the burdens you bear;
And you will find pleasures enough to remind you
that life has more blessings than hardships and care.

By E.F. Hayward

The Tuskegee Airmen were told in training that if they do not believe in God, that they needed to find a good substitute.

• Not all of them survived training.
• 16 Airmen died in battle.
• 850 medals were awarded.