Going to Say Goodbye

[Duke Maddog]

Hello everyone, I am leaving for Florida tomorrow to attend the funeral of my good friend and spiritual mentor Chief Master Sergeant Walter Richardson. Here is his obituary:

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/local/he-ran-a-full-race-tuskegee-airman-walt-richardson-passes-on-photos-1.297982

Some of the things not mentioned in this article:

Walt was the first black man to achieve the highest enlisted rank in the USAF.

He was the first black man to be ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church in the US.

Of the first 1000 black men chosen to integrate the USAF, General Chappy James credits Walt as being one of the most influential ones.

I will miss him greatly. He was one of the most tremendous men I've ever known.

 

[moon puppy]

Sounds like a great guy Mark, was he CMS of the USAF or CMS?

RIP Chief :zen :zen

 

[MrT]

Safe journey.

Terry B)

 

[razordws]

Glad you got the chance to go Duke. Safe travels! :zen

 

[phantom II]

Sounds like a true roll model . Have a safe trip..... and I prefer see you soon .

Cheers, Christian B)

 

[jknaus]

Safe trip.
James

 

[Duke Maddog]

Thanks guys! I'll be in touch when I can, but I don't foresee much time on the computer.

Sounds like a great guy Mark, was he CMS of the USAF or CMS?

RIP Chief :zen :zen

Bob, he was Chief in the USAF, the first black man to achieve that rank.

 

[The Zod]

Sorry for your loss Mark. Safe round journey.

 

[SA Dave]

Have a save trip Mark

 

[Duke Maddog]

Thanks all. Walt's funeral was an amazing experience and probably the largest in attendance in Fort Walton Beach history. Here is a link to a video of his funeral:

http://bcove.me/wv3b25nv

His duet partner Frank Cole is singing Walt's favorite tune, exactly the way Walt used to sing it. He sounds so much like him. Later you see his family all singing "The Bells of St. Mary's" written by his daughter Carmen. As his funeral motorcade passed the main gate of Hurlburt Field, they set off all their air-raid sirens as a tribute to him, and kept them going for the 20 minutes that his entire motorcade passed.

Congressman Jerry Miller stood up to read Walt's recording in the Congressional Record and the Tuskegee Airmen will be inducting Walt into their Lonely Eagles Squadron at their next National Convention.

If anyone truly wants to know more about this incredible man, feel free to pick up his book: "How Great Thou Art! a black man's depression-era success story" written by himself. He already gave me a signed copy and I have read it over and over again. It is truly and inspirational and powerful story.