When the Tuskegee Airmen were young WWII recruits, they proved to military brass that not only were they true red-blooded patriots, they were brave warriors willing to sacrifice their lives for a homeland that despised them simply because of the color of their skin.

Long before Washington paid its recent and long overdue salute to the Tuskegees, Long Island's American Airpower Museum unveiled an exhibit honoring these great heroes. It continues to educate thousands of LI school children and visitors who remain unaware of these famous aviators' great contribution to our victory in WWII.

Our veterans can never be thanked enough for their sacrifices, but today, I join with the nation in giving extra thanks to the Tuskegee Airmen who in addition to fighting the enemy, won some of the first battles in defeating segregation.