Author Of Tuskegee Airmen Book To Speak In Phoenixville

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A local history professor will speak at a free Phoenixville event celebrating the publication of his book on the local Tuskegee connection.

Author and professor at West Chester University Robert Kodosky will discuss his book "Tuskegee in Philadelphia: Rising to the Challenge" during the event.

It will take place at Reads and Company in Phoenixville on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Four of the famous Tuskegee Airmen are coming to West Chester University this week as part of the celebrations surrounding the book launch, as well.

The book launch will kick off with a discussion at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, in Philips Autograph Library, featuring author and professor Robert Kodosky. Four airmen, the youngest of whom is 92, will be on hand to speak about their lives and sign copies of the book,

"The veterans will talk about their service and their civilian lives, their encounters with racism while they served their country and when they returned home," organizers said. "They are bringing artifacts and memorabilia to display and will be accompanied by their families and other chapter members. Several honors will also be presented to them prior to the book signing."

All proceeds from the book are being donated by Kodosky to the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen.

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African-American pilots and military personnel who fought in World War II, known for their heroism in battle and for breaking barriers as the first African-American pilots in the nation's history.

Philips is located at the intersection of High Street and University Avenue in West Chester.