Heroes heading this way

Lt. Col. Herbert Carter, front center, will be in Waynesboro next week. He graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Base in 1942 and was one of the first 36 pilots to be utilized in North Africa. Living legends from as far away as New York are heading to Waynesboro.

Several Tuskegee Airmen who flew missions in World War II will come here for the showing of a documentary that tells the stories of America’s first black pilots to fly in combat.

The production, entitled In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen includes interviews with 17 of the original airmen.

Some of them will be on hand for the showing here next week, including the only ace with the Tuskegee Airmen. After the show, audience members will have a chance to meet them as well.

The documentary was produced by Augusta-based Bryton Entertainment, a small Christian company that chose the project for its inspirational value.

Co-owner Bryan Williams said he and his partner, Denton Adkinson, wanted to produce a documentary that was meaningful and felt the airmen had such a wonderful story.

“It’s touched so many people,” he said. “It’s really a feel good story about putting your head down and working hard and eventually getting recognized.”

Last year, a similar showing at the Imperial Theatre in Augusta sold out and the production has continued to gain popularity.

It is currently being used as research for Red Tails, a movie about the airmen that is due out in theaters in May. The writer, George Lucas, has also invited Williams and Adkinson, along with two of the airmen, to show the movie to troops in Iraq this summer.

In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen

Showtime; 7 p.m. on Friday,
Feb. 5, at Burke County
High School
Admission: $10
Proceeds will benefit
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.