September 17, 2025
By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS
Rutherford County Schools
High school students from Smyrna West Alternative School were invited to learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and their contributions during World War II.
The Rotary Club of Smyrna recently held its 23rd annual Wings of Freedom Fish Fry fundraiser and selected the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black pilots, as the group to be recognized.
As part of the fundraiser, the Rotary Club enlisted the Commemorative Air Force to bring its Rise Above educational outreach mobile theater to Smyrna. The Rotary has a longstanding relationship with Smyrna West and offered the school a private screening of films recognizing both groups.
“It was a unique opportunity for our students,” Smyrna West Principal Jenni Smith said. “We’re grateful that Rotary invited us.”
Known as the “Red Tails,” the Tuskegee group got its name from the distinctive red tails of the P-51 aircraft flown during its missions. More than 16,000 airmen were trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, and 352 were deployed for combat.
WASP members faced scrutiny from those unsure if women could be pilots. Upwards of 25,000 women applied for WASP but only 1,074 earned their wings to fly following a four-month training in Sweetwater, Texas. Training included meteorology, map reading and mechanics.
After the film presentation, students received a commemorative set of dog tags.