MG Pillsbury, USABAA Officers, distinguished guests and friends on behalf of Mr. Victor Thornton, President of the United States Army Black Aviation Association I would like to welcome you to our annual Reunion Banquet.  The theme for this year's reunion is Aviation Past, Present and Future.  You know reflecting on the past from time to time is important because it gives you a sense of perspective.  The past plays a role in the present and future depending on the situation.  A person that captured the essence of the past and its significance for others was GEN Colin Powell.  GEN Colin Powell was the speaker during the commemoration of the Buffalo Soldier monument at Fort Leavenworth, KS on 25 July, 1992.  During his speech GEN Powell, in referring to the Buffalo Soldier monument stated "So look at this statue, Look at him.  Imagine him in his coat of blue, on his horse, a Soldier of the Nation.  Eagles on his buttons, crossed sabers on his canteen, a rifle in his hand, a pistol on his hip, courageous, iron will.  He was every bit the Soldier that his white brother was.  He showed that the theory of inequality must be wrong.  He could not be denied his right.  It might take time, it did take time.  But he knew that in the end he could not be denied.  He went on to say.  "The Buffalo Soldiers were not the only ones in this struggle. The 24^th and 25^th Infantry regiments, the 92^nd and 93^rd Infantry Divisions, the high flying Tuskegee Airmen, the Parachuting triple nickels, our Navy's Golden Thirteen, the Montfort Point Marines and thousands of other brave black Americans have gone in harm's way for their country since the days of the Buffalo Soldier.  Always moving forward and upward, step by step, sacrifice by sacrifice. 
I imagine if GEN Douglas MacArthur was alive during the service days of the Buffalo Soldiers to observe the hardships and privations they endured, I imagine the words of his DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY speech would have been relevant when he said DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY, those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.
I imagine if President Richard M. Nixon was alive during the service days of the Buffalo Soldiers to observe the hardships and privations they endured his words would have been relevant when he said: "Always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember; others may hate you. Those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself." 

On July 25, 1992, GEN Powell stated, "I climbed on their backs and stood on their shoulders to reach the top of my chosen profession to become the first African American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."  GEN Powell's leadership by example impressed upon me the fact that it is imperative for those of us currently serving to remember those that established a legacy for other African Americans to follow.  The word of God, the words of great men and the great men seated here tonight played a significant role in shaping me and countless others as Soldiers, Officers and Aviators.  The legacy of great men seated here tonight includes Mr. George T. Johnson the 1^st African American to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross in Vietnam, a man whose idea led to the establishment of the United States Army Black Aviation Association. 
Mr. Carl Burhanan, who along with Mr. George W. Baker, the man the Fort Rucker Chapter is named in honor of, composed the first and only African American crew to fly the President of the United States.   
Mr. J. Louis Nance and the numerous accomplishments to his credit among them the 1^st African American Aviator to be promoted to CW5, a selectee for the Patuxent River Naval Test Pilot School, Theater Aviation Officer for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 

Mr. Bill Thomas, whose keen senses and bravery saved the life of a fellow Soldier during a fire in Vietnam.  Mr. Fred Farmer and Mr. Cleveland Valrey, both of whom are not here tonight, served as members of the Triple Nickles parachute Regiment that was mentioned by GEN Powell in his speech on 25 July 1992.  Mr. Valrey is also a member of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.

The accomplishments of these men are just a few of the things I have had the opportunity to discover over the years through conversation and reading.  There are others seated here tonight with accomplishments to their credit that I simply have not had the opportunity to discover.  I am here tonight out of respect, admiration and appreciation for the accomplishments and sacrifices by these gentlemen for the good of our Country.  So to you gentlemen I am deeply in debt and pray that when times get tough for those like me we can draw strength from the time honored service you gave in earning a right for us to serve. 

We can not forget those serving today in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, many of whom I encountered during my visit to the forward deployed area.  Our Armed Forces is entangled with an enemy that embraces the doctrine of Jihad or Holy War.  He fills his ranks with combatants from numerous countries.   Their borders are porous; their cause is fought for by many to include an American captured in Afghanistan fighting against the Country that gave him the very freedom to choose. 

I submit to you today that if an enemy can fill his ranks with combatants from numerous countries that we can come together here in our country.  It is time for our Country to truly embrace the first word in its great name (UNITED) and move forward from there to exemplify all that is embodied in the name United States of America. 

It is time for America to embrace the words of President John F. Kennedy during his inaugural address on Friday, January 20, 1961 when he said:

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge--and more."

AS WE ALL LOOK TO THE FUTURE

I would like to encourage all regardless of race, color, creed, or national origin to support the United States Army Black Aviation Association.  Make it a community organization and push it forward as it develop programs to reach the generation that will replace those currently serving in the Military and Civilian Aviation community.  Assist us in bringing forth those brave young men, women, boys and girls that represent our country's future.  Support this worthwhile effort with your time, your money and personal recruitment efforts FOR THE LOVE OF COUNTRY.  The young people, our future will keep the battleground off American soil.  I am honored to be a part of this great team as it moves forward to accomplish bigger and better things for the love of Country.  God bless you our Armed Forces, our Country and again I say to all, WELCOME, Thank you.