Franklin Macon, Original Documented Tuskegee Airman – by Stephanie Prescott, Joyful Traditions Partner

I had the pleasure of meeting Frank several times during the writing process of his early life story, I Wanted to be a Pilot – The Making of a Tuskegee Airman. It was published in 2018. Frank was a special person, always happy with a quick wit. He didn’t pretend to know all about everything, but he did love his own story and his generation. Frank was born August 4, 1923. His early life circumstances today would be considered sad or disadvantaged. To Frank it was wonderful. It’s what made his story great and his perseverance unstoppable.

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Forest Grove Elementary School

Frank’s Visit with Forest Grove Elementary School

Frank visits via skype with the elementary kids in Mrs Vandenburg’s 4th grade class. As a child Frank loved to make things and take things apart. In his book, I Wanted To Be A Pilot – The Making of a Tuskegee Airman, he shares some of the toys he used to make. Frank’s co-author, Elizabeth Harper, is from Michigan. So she had many friends and relatives asking her to come visit with Frank. Unfortunately at the last minute Frank was unable to make the trip. Liz and her daughter went ahead, but not before setting up skype on Frank’s computer!

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Franklin Macon and Elizabeth Harper

Fridays with Frank!

When your dream becomes a reality, it’s a BIG day! Franklin Macon, Original Documented Tuskegee Airman, and Elizabeth Harper crossed paths in what would become a wonderful friendship and history making opportunity for both of them. They met years ago in passing. Later, thanks to dear friends Chris and Cindy Knapp, they met again. Frank always tinkered at Bo Steal Chris’s metal shop. During Chris and Cindy’s anniversary dinner, Liz asked how Frank was doing. Chris responded, “He’s great. His 92nd Birthday is coming up, and I’d love to get him in the air again.” Liz thought, “We live at the United State Air Force Academy, somehow we should be able to make this happen.”

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Franklin Macon Library Visit

Franklin Macon, Tuskegee Airman, Visits the Cheyenne Library

It was a great day for Franklin and those in attendance at the Laramie County Library System to kick off Veterans Day weekend! On Saturday, November 10 there were 70 chairs set up for people eager to hear Franklin’s stories about his youth and years at Tuskegee. We were thrilled to see more than 140 people show up. People were standing throughout the room. What a testimony to the patriotism still alive in our country. It was a joy to see young kids listening to every word he had to say, including his answer to a young girl’s question, why didn’t you like school? Because it was school! They made me sit still and be there every day.

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