From Baltimore to Tuskegee Former Airman Shares His Story

As part of their Black History Month lessons, students at Howell High School got a visit from a very special speaker. Milton Holmes came to the home of the Rebels on Wednesday to talk about his time serving with the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. 

Growing up outside of Baltimore, Holmes, who was celebrating his 86th birthday on Wednesday, said he never could have imagined being in the cockpit of a plane. Being able to tell his story about that time is a very special experience for him. "I love kids," he said. "They're our future so you've got to work with them and since I've been there I know what they're feeling and I want to prepare them for the future." 

When a friend told him that there was an exam being given for people interested in being a pilot, he said it was something he had to do. "I never saw a plane," he said. "Where I was raised I had to walk by a field everyday but blacks weren't allowed to go in the field. Flying a plane was really out of the question." Even though he was told he was not allowed to fly growing up, Holmes said it was something he wanted to do. 

His presentation on Wednesday was about more than just his time in the service but also about the work it took to get to that point and beyond. Above all else Holmes had one main message for the students. "Aim so high that when you fall you will still be up there," which is what his parents told him growing up.

Not wanting to disappoint his parents or get in trouble with his teachers, Holmes said he found the best way to do that and suggested today's students follow a similar plan. "I decided to always study ahead of the teacher," he said. When homework was assigned, he said he would do that work and the next lesson to be ahead of the curve. 

The lessons Holmes taught were not lost on the students who listened to him. Shannon Henry, a senior at the school said it was a valuable experience. "Anybody who goes to Howard is awesome," she said with a laugh. Beyond that his historical perspective was also important. "That's big," she said. 

While her parents saw the recent blockbuster Red Tails, Henry said she having someone who lived it was even more exciting. "It's not an actor, it's real," she said.

His lessons also reminded her of the same things her parents have told her growing up. "He studied ahead of his teachers. My parents always tell me when you fall you should be above so you should always make room for failure."

Recently Holmes was among the Tuskegee Airmen veterans invited to the premiere of the movie Red Tails. "That was the best experience I've ever had in my life" he said. Getting the chance to meet the actors in the movie including Cuba Gooding Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson made for a memorable night. 

Wednesday's presentation was the continuation of a group of speakers that has come to the school this month starting with Don Olivaria who with Martin Luther King Jr. as part of the civil rights movement.