By Robert Bullett, Golf Committee Chair

On Monday, Aug. 11, we’ll gather once again at Norbeck Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, for the 2025 General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. 34th Annual Golf Classic — one of the East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.’s (ECCTAI) most popular fundraisers and, for me, one of the most memorable days of the year.

It’s always a great time: competitive-level golf, mouthwatering food, exciting prizes and the kind of camaraderie that would make the golf classic’s namesake, Gen. Davis, proud. But this year, the tournament isn’t just about tradition. It’s about survival.

Our Youth in Aviation Program (YIAP) and scholarship fund have opened doors for many young professionals — helping them earn their wings as pilots in commercial industry and the military, explore aerospace careers and carry the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy into the future. The YIAP and scholarship effort require more than $100,000 annually to operate, and this golf classic is our final major push this season to meet that goal.

But we’re at an important crossroad. Last year, we said goodbye to Documented Original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA) Shelton Ivan Ware, the last living DOTA in our chapter. And earlier this year, our treasurer reminded us plainly: Our funding may not cover all we hope to accomplish in 2025.

That’s why this year’s golf classic is not just important. It’s critical.

That’s why we’re calling on our ECCTAI family to show up and show out on Aug. 11. Whether you play, volunteer, donate, sponsor, or simply help spread the word, your support ensures we continue inspiring and equipping the next generation of pioneers.

This year, we’re also proud to honor Tuskegee Airman Dr. Fenton B. Sands Sr., a remarkable figure in not just military history, but world history. He was commissioned in 1944, became a navigator-bombardier in the 477th Bombardment Group and, after the war, spent nearly four decades improving global agriculture in 24 countries before retiring from the World Bank. His story reminds us that the Tuskegee legacy stretches across battlefields, boardrooms and borders.

The registration deadline, which is the week of July 14, is quickly approaching, so please share the link and sponsor opportunities with a colleague or a company.

Let’s make this the best golf classic yet.

With gratitude and urgency,
Your Golf Committee Chair