Falcons To Honor Living Member Of Tuskegee Airmen
By CM Towle
The Atlanta Falcons plan to honor a living member of the Tuskegee Airmen on Sunday during the game against the Cleveland Browns.
The Falcons will be honoring 98 year old Edward Johnson, who is one of the last living members of the Tuskegee Airmen, and will be attending his first Falcons game, according to the team’s website. The game against the Browns on Sunday is the Falcons’ first home game of November and will be their Salute to Service game where each team honors veterans in a home game.
More from Atlanta Falcons
- Kyle Pitts: It’s a new aura when it comes to the Atlanta Falcons defense
- Kyle Pitts sees Desmond Ridder, A.J. Terrell as tremendous leaders for the Falcons
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- Bijan Robinson hypes up Falcons’ defense with chip on their shoulder
- Bijan Robinson sees championships in Texas’ immediate future
It’s also a dream fulfilled for Johnson who is a big Atlanta sports fan, but has never been to a Falcons game. Verizon Wireless and Second Wind Dreams are the organizations making it possible.
Johnson served as a Tuskegee Airman in World War II for three years. He served as a Link Trainer for the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He taught new pilots how to fly using instruments. He worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant before he was discharged in 1945.
After leaving the service, Johnson became the first African-American electrician in Atlanta to own his own company. That company, Johnson and Wood Electric Company, regularly hired students in college to teach them all about electricity. Johnson is known in his community as a quiet man, but a big Falcons fan who has been a fan since the team started in 1965 and wears a team hat nearly every day.
According to Pro Football Talk, Johnson will attend the game with one of his daughters, and the ceremony will occur at some point in the first half.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return