Tuskegee Airman will share story for Veterans Day: Parma Postings

Harold Brown will talk about his service as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II on Nov. 9 at Cuyahoga Community College's Western Campus. Photo provided by Tri-C.

PARMA, Ohio - Harold Brown was among a group of fighter pilots who made history during World War II: the Tuskegee Airmen.

The 93-year-old former fighter pilot will share some of his stories during a Veterans Day program beginning at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at Cuyahoga Community College's Western Campus, 11000 Pleasant Valley Road, Parma.

His service during World War II was the basis for a book that Harold Brown wrote. Photo provided by Tri-C.

The event begins at with a remembrance ceremony in the Western Campus Veterans Memorial Garden. Brown will speak at 11 in the Tri-C Galleria.

Brown flew 30 missions before the Nazis shot down his P-51 Mustang plane in May 1944. He was a colonel in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, flying in the 332nd Fighter Group. The nation's first African-American military pilots -- the famed Tuskegee Airmen -- manned the squadron's planes.

"Veterans Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have defended this nation," said Rick DeChant, executive director of the Tri-C Veterans Initiative. "Harold Brown is one of those inspiring heroes, and we're honored to welcome him to Tri-C."

The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. Their achievements paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military.

Brown logged 30 missions as a bomber-escort fighter pilot before he was shot down and captured. U.S. forces liberated him from a prisoner-of-war camp in 1945.

He continued to serve in the military following the war and spent more than two decades on active duty. Among his posts was a position with the Strategic Air Command during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired from the Air Force in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel.

After his military career ended, Brown started a new career in higher education. He began as an instructor and -- after earning a master's degree and doctorate -- climbed the ranks to become vice president of academic affairs at Columbus State Community College.

He now lives in Port Clinton. Brown wrote an autobiography, "Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman," which was published earlier this year by the University of Alabama Press. A book-signing will follow the program.

Tri-C serves thousands of Northeast Ohio veterans annually through its Veterans Initiative. For more information, visit tri-c.edu/veterans.

Parma Heights just concluded its observance of National Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week: The city of Parma Heights observed Oct. 23-31 as National Red Ribbon Week.

Residents were encouraged to wear red ribbons to show their support for the country to have a drug-free environment. The campaign was established in 1988 by Congress to encourage a drug-free lifestyle and involvement in drug prevention and reduction efforts.

"All City Council members and I recognize and support National Red Ribbon Week," said Mayor Michael Byrne. "We urge all citizens of Parma Heights to join us in this special observance and all year long, we want to make a visible statement that we are strongly committed to a drug-free city."

For more information on the Red Ribbon campaign, visit redribbon.org.

Now open: Batteries Plus Bulbs opened a new store at 7611 W. Ridgewood Drive in Parma on Oct. 30.

The store provides access to nearly 60,000 different types of batteries, light bulbs and related products for household and business needs. Customers also can buy online and pick up their merchandise at the store.

In addition to light bulbs and batteries, the store has a We Fix It repair center that will repair phones and tablets, including Apple devices, as well as most Samsung devices, Beats by Dre headphones, will replace batteries for watches, keyless entry and phones, will rebuild battery packs and more.

For a limited time, the new store will be giving away coupons for free AA and AAA household batteries.

Store hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Fall back: Don't forget to set your clock back one hour before you go to bed on Nov. 4. Daylight Saving Time ends that night, which means it will be getting darker even earlier for the next few months.

Saluting veterans: The city of Independence will have a Veterans Day program from noon to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Civic Center. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Lunch will be served free to all independence residents who are veterans or military personnel.

Registration is required. For more information, call 216-524-7373.

Election Day: Don't forget to vote on Nov. 7. If you plan to vote in person, polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Be sure to bring a photo ID.

Don't know where your polling place is? Check out the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website at boe.cuyahogacounty.us for information on where to vote and what's on the ballot in your city.

Dance deadlines: Time is running out to purchase tickets for the first Father-Daughter Dance and Mother-Son Dance in Parma Heights. Both events are for parents and their children age 13 and younger.

The father-daughter event will be 7-9 p.m. Nov. 11; the mother-son event will be 7-9 p.m. Nov. 18. Both dances will be in the Community Room downstairs at the Cassidy Theatre, 6200 Pearl Road, Parma Heights.

Tickets are $20 for each dance and another $5 for each addition son or daughter.

Purchase tickets online at parmaheightsoh.gov or in person at City Hall, 6281 Pearl Road. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Brooklyn, Independence, Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills for the Parma Postings column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com.

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