Tuskegee 99™
Tuskegee 99™ began as a annual giving campaign that occurs on the 99th day of the year aimed at assisting Legacy Flight Academy® in drawing attention to the amazing feats of the Tuskegee Airmen, while also working to raise funds that support all of Legacy Flight Academy’s programs. Today it is the hashtag used by the organization to show its connection to the the Tuskegee Airmen, and draw attention to its causes, in addition to supporting its annual fundraising campaign.
History of the Fighting 99th Pursuit Squadron
“On January 16, 1941, the War Department announced the formation of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, an African-American unit, and of the Tuskegee Institute training program. On March 7, 1942, the first graduating class of the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Tuskegee Field included Col. (later Gen.) Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., who became the commanding officer of the 99th Fighter Squadron and later the 332d Fighter Group. These units were unique in United States military history because all the personnel were African American” (National Archives)
“The 99th Fighter Squadron went to North Africa in April 1943 and flew its first combat mission against the island of Pantelleria on June 2, 1943. Capt. Charles B. Hall was the first African-American pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft. Later the squadron, operating from its base in North Africa, supported the invasion of Italy and participated in the air battle against Sicily. The 332d Fighter Group flew more than 3,000 missions in Europe and destroyed almost 300 enemy planes. Eighty-eight of the group's pilots received the Distinguished Flying Cross, proving their test by fire a success” (National Archives)
The Annual Giving Campaign
#Tuskegee99 (Tuskegee 99™) occurs on the 99th day of each year and pays homage to the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron), the first African American flying squadron. What’s the goal? LFA’s #Tuskegee99 goal is to get 99 supporters to donate $99 on the 99th day of the year. 100% of the proceeds raised during the campaign go to support LFA’s youth aviation and STEM programs.
Donating to LFA is simple and easy:
FB (https://www.facebook.com/LegacyFlightAcademy/)
Cash App ($LegacyFlightAcademy)
PayPal (https://www.paypal.me/legacyflightacademy) or visit PayPal and send to info@legacyflightacademy.org [please select friends and family]
