Frederick Douglas Williams, Esq. became
an honorary member of the American Legion Post 148 and the Windham Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 10643 last week in an informal ceremony at the Windham
Veterans Center, with a large group of veterans in attendance. For over an
hour, Tuskegee Airman Frederick Williams of Windham regaled the crowd with
stories and opinions from his military experiences and fascinating life over
his 95 years.
“I wanted to be in a bomber, especially
a B-17,” said Williams.
Williams was one of the first African
Americans to be trained as a World War II military pilot in the US Army Air
Corps. They were named Tuskegee Airmen after the predominately black college,
Tuskegee Institute/University. Although that made him unique in itself, he also
was a Baptist minister, a professor of law at Saint Joseph’s College and district
governor for Lions International. He isn’t more proud of one thing over the
other.
“It was democracy in action,” he told
the crowd. “It is the brotherhood of man. I was the first Negro in the history
of Maine to join the bar. That’s not a pride thing, that’s a sad thing.”
Williams described the difference between
one Army with two branches, one black and one white, and the difference now: “It’s
one Army - one Navy.” After serving in World War II, he was recalled for the
Korean War and served again.
“It all shows we are one nation. Greek
American, Japanese Americans, that’s race, not Americans,” he said. “Color is not a race. White is not a race.
Black is not a race, it’s a beautiful color.”
When given the Certificates of Lifetime
Membership, he said, “You guys honor me. You make me cry.”
He received the honor from Commanders
Willie Goodman and Mel Greenier with mixed emotions.
“We Negros, Puerto Ricans, Spanish, we
have all served this country in every war mostly in subservient roles,” he
said. “Until Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘Franklin, come on let them go to school’.”
“It was hell getting in, but we were
proud,” he added.
“He served his country proudly and he’s
an inspiration to us all. If you spend any time at all with Fred, you’ll leave
with a smile and I guarantee you’ll learn something,” said Commander Willie
Goodman, from the VFW Post 10643.
Williams is very critical of the new
president and the possibility of a future war. “He doesn’t know when we were
carrying 50 pound bags on our backs, knee deep in water so you can hardly walk
coming on that beach. I turned back to see Jim and he had no head. He doesn’t
know.” Williams described war as evil. He also demanded that everyone read the
Bill of Rights five times.
Williams is a part of Windham history as
well, having served on the Windham Select Board, where he made $10 per meeting
and joked about it with the veteran who served on the committee that set the
pay rate. He has lived in Windham for 31 years.
He is being honored later this month in
Augusta for a Lifetime Achievement Award.
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