Victor W. Butler, the last surviving Tuskegee Airman on the retired Sergeant Rhode Island, easily requested his 100th birthday. Pioneering veterans say they only want a birthday card when celebrating a milestone on May 21st.
“That’s just another day. That’s it,” Butler said. WJARHe added that he read all the cards.
Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black pilots and airmen who fought in World War II, paved the way for the separation of the US military.The group was introduced in the movie Red tail.
Butler, who repaired the plane while serving as a mechanic for Tuskegee Airmen, said his original plan was to join the Royal Canadian Air Force with his friends.
“But after I signed up, my mom and dad didn’t approve it,” he said. “So I joined the United States Air Force.”
Veterans did their best despite the constant racial discrimination in Tuskegee, Alabama.
“Being in Tuskegee, Alabama, whites weren’t very happy with black soldiers walking around,” he said.
Butler is currently spending a lot of time at home completing puzzles. He says puzzles are great “just to occupy time”.
Butler’s advice to others is to “enjoy life as it is”.
“I am grateful that I have a nice wife and a nice house to live in,” he said.