COLORADO SPRINGS — A piece of history now has a new home in Colorado Springs, although it's not going far from its previous owner.
Frank Macon, one of the few living original Tuskegee airmen, donated his beloved Stinson V77 to the National Museum of World War II Aviation on Monday. In a Veteran's Day celebration at the museum, the president also inducted him into the museum's hall of honor.
"I'm getting a little bit too old to fly so I decided I let the museum have the warcraft," Macon said, who is now 96 years old, he began flying at age 16.
The museum calls the donation an honor.
"To be able to carry on Frank Macon, what happened here in Colorado Springs, his airplane, the history what the Tuskegees did I mean it was a milestone it really took segregation away from the United States," said Bill Klaers President/CEO of Nationl Museum of WWII Aviation.
Macon grew up in Colorado Springs and still calls the area home. His journey to become a Tuskegee airman is documented in his book "I want to become a Pilot". Macon says from a young age he knew it was exactly what he wanted to do.
While the Stinson has a personal touch of paint, the Canadian warcraft is still a welcome addition for museum leaders. Monday's ceremony attracted dozens of people to the museum.
"I mean the community being so military minded, it's great to get a guy like this and bring him in here and have so many people around him," said Klaers.
