The man in the leather jacket

But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as inferior.
—Acts 10:28-29

Ever met a real hero and not realized it? Truth be told, it happens every day!

I was flying back from Baltimore and the flights schedule was all messed up with weather delays. Standing in the boarding area, I passed the time doing what I sometimes find most intriguing…observing people; their demeanor, and deportment.

One elderly gentleman in a worn leather jacket stood out. He smiled a lot, and looked around making me wonder if he was sure of what was going on. Later I learned he was more than aware! Eventually a seat became open near him so I sat down and started to chat. He had a red cap on, that said Tuskegee, a name I recognized, but wanted to explore with him. Turns out my seat mate was Lt. Col. Gray who flew with distinction in the squadron known as the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. A movie about the squadron, Red Tail, was just released.
It was the only squadron made up entirely of African Americans. Shunned at the beginning of the war, their reputation for providing support and “getting the boys back to base” was such that squadrons would request “Tuskegee air support” because they knew they had a better chance of getting home.

“In 1925, there was a study at the Army Historical Institute on Negro troops in World War I,” Col. Gray told me. “It said Negroes were inferior to whites and that Negroes lacked the courage to engage in combat and lacked the ability to handle sophisticated equipment. This was the mindset of the military establishment at the outset of World War II. I think we demonstrated that was not right.” 

He went on to say, “People talk about me as hero. I didn’t do any more than anybody else. I did what I was supposed to do; to do what was right for my country and my fellow citizens. But it was difficult doing what I was supposed to do! Even though we were pilots, we were treated as second-class citizens and there were many of us who had dehumanizing experiences trying to be citizens of this country.”

My meeting with Col Gray will always be a fond memory and a living reality as it challenges me to not let attitude or preconceived ideas or even prejudice get in the way of people simply trying to do what is right. The people we meet every day are trying to do well for their, fellow employees, or they are family members trying to do what is right in their eyes of their loved one.

Each of them are heroes in some way shape or form; heroes, trying to struggle to make things better, safer, more efficient, trying to correct misunderstanding, or trying to win the war over illness and hopelessness.

In a few moments you will encounter someone who is fighting a personal war with illness or frustration. Be their wingman, be their hero by helping them realize the hero that lies within! Take a moment to listen, and encourage them, and bring them home safely!