By H. Thomas “Tommy” Herndon Jr., President, ECCTAI

Ever seen a perfect formation flight?

Each aircraft locked in sync, every pilot trusting the next. As a former Air Force pilot, I’ve seen and experienced this beautiful symmetry, but it only works when the whole team shows up — with passion and commitment.

That’s exactly how the East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ECCTAI) operates. And wow, did our team soar this May.

I’m taking a moment — while we’re still ascending to the next fundraiser — to thank everyone who helped pull off not one but two stellar events: the Legacy of Excellence: Tuskegee Airmen Fundraising Reception and the Youth Recognition Breakfast Fundraiser.

Both were powerful and packed with purpose.

To the planning committees: You didn’t just show up; you excelled. Your professionalism, creativity and heart made these events more than fundraisers. They were memorable experiences.

I offer a special salute to our daring leads, Ms. Vanessa Butler and Mr. Edward L. Harbison Jr. They faced time constraints and numerous challenges, but they rallied their teams and delivered outstanding events that were exhilarating.

To every ECCTAI member who lent time, expertise and vision: Thank you. Your passion for the mission — to preserve the legacy of the pioneering Tuskegee Airmen by inspiring the next generation of aviators and aerospace professionals — is why we continue to rise.

Looking ahead, I am confident our next fundraiser will bring the same level of excellence and generate support for our scholarships and Youth in Aviation Programs. Led by Mr. Robert Bullett, the 34th Annual General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Golf Classic is our chapter’s most anticipated fundraiser.

Yes, there’s golf (and prizes!), but it’s also a moment to spotlight legacy. This year, we honor the late Dr. Fenton B. Sands Sr., a Tuskegee Airman and international agriculturalist who once served as a navigator-bombardier. His story, like so many, deserves to be told on every green.

And hey, if you’re not a golfer? That’s cool. You can still:

• Grab a seat at the luncheon.
• Sponsor or connect us with a sponsor.
• Buy a raffle ticket or ECCTAI merchandise.
• Or just make a heartfelt  donation.

These events power something bigger. This year, our scholarship and aviation education programs will cost over $90,000, and every dollar helps us keep our promise to the Tuskegee Airmen who started this chapter and to students with dreams of flying.

We know the fundraising field is crowded. Other nonprofits are going after the same dollars, the same ears, the same hearts. But I believe in ECCTAI members. Because you don’t just talk about legacy. You live it.

Since 1996, thanks to our Herbert H. Jones Jr. Youth in Aviation Program, more than 200 students have been introduced to aviation careers. In fact, some of them are now pilots, air traffic controllers and aircraft maintainers thriving in their field.

Our scholarships program? Over $217,000 awarded. Our annual Youth Flight Day? Hundreds have taken to the skies for the first time.

This is what impact looks like.

Thank you, again, for your dedication and hard work. Let’s continue to inspire and uplift our youth, honor our history and carry forward the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.