QLS Seniors Pack 'Red Tails' Opening in Memory of Their Own Tuskegee Airman

Several hundred participants and friends in the Quality Living Services (QLS) community attended Friday's opening of the movie "Red Tails" together. QLS participants were asked to purchase movie tickets and show support in of the late Tuskegee Airman Charles "Chuck" Dryden.

Until his death, Ret. Col. Dryden was a frequent participant and supporter of  activities at QLS. Several busloads of movie goers were transported from QLS to the film shown at Movies ATL in the Camp Creek Marketplace district. 

The 12:15 p.m. showing was filled to capacity with seniors, many of whom knew Dryden personally. In attendance was Virginia Hillary, the wife of Tuskegee Airman, Harold Hillary. Hillary was a bomber pilot who graduated with the second class of Tuskegee Airman. Virginia Hillary says that her children referred to Dryden as "Uncle Charlie."

Dryden, who earned his pilot's wings in 1942, wrote about his experiences in the book, "A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman" (available on serveral online booksellers' websites including Barnes & Noble) and often shared his experiences with members of QLS.

"To me, it was intense," Hillary says of the film. "It brought back many memories of my time as a service wife waiting for news of my husband when he was away."

During the movie some attendees often clapped and showed their appreciation of the film.

QLS is located at 4001 Danforth Road in southwest Atlanta. The facility is dedicated to providing services and programs for seniors. The telephone number there is 404-699-1686.