Tuskegee Airmen, Family Members Attend Davis High School Dedication

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Aldine ISD (AISD) dedicated its newest high school on Sunday, Oct. 28 and hosted a number of special guests who attended the event to honor the memory of General Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr., for whom the school is named after.
Davis High School is the first traditional, comprehensive high school constructed in AISD since Nimitz opened in 1978.

Those who attended the event included family members of General Davis, members of the Tuskegee Airmen organization with several who served under his command, Brigadier General J.T. Boddie, General Thomas Spooner as well as U.S. Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee, the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees, Aldine ISD administrators and community members.

Davis was the first commander of the Tuskegee Airmen, the military’s first African American air combat unit, during World War II. His combat record and the unit he led are credited with playing a major role in prompting the integration of the armed services after World War II. He was the recipient of numerous decorations including the Air Force’s Distinguished Service Medal, the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1970, Davis supervised the federal sky marshal program that was designed to quell a rash of airliner hijackings. In 1971, he was named an assistant secretary of transportation. At the time of his Air Force retirement, he was lieutenant general wearing three stars and was the senior African American officer of the armed forces. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded him a fourth star raising him to the rank of general. General Davis was the first African American brigadier general in the United States Air Force.

Danielle Burns, Davis’ great niece, who attended the event along with her mother Antoinette Burns (General Davis’ niece), delivered the address on behalf of her family. She thanked the district for naming the school after her great uncle, and thanked the Tuskegee Airmen for attending the event, and United Airlines for providing airfare for the Airmen to be in the audience. United also sponsors the Airmen’s annual return to Aldine ISD to address students and staff.

“Just a few years ago, this building was a thought, just a dream for the district and those committed to the memory of General Davis. Today, we sit here in this grand and beautiful building basking in its state of the art brilliance,” she said.

She added her uncle would have been proud to have such a beautiful building named after him.

“Of course, this celebration is not possible without the sacrifice of General Davis, affectionately known as our Uncle Ben, and the brave men that risked their lives not only in the name of freedom, and the United States of America, but also for equality,” she said. “The Tuskegee Airmen represent so much more than just military excellence. They are a beacon, a beacon that has inspired books, TV shows, major motion pictures and millions of people worldwide. A beacon that proved that people can achieve great things when given the opportunity to try.”

She also challenged the Davis High School administration and faculty to inspire their students just as her uncle inspired the Tuskegee Airmen to strive to do and be their best during difficult times.

“Inspire them to dream. Inspire them to hope. Inspire them to want to learn,” she said. “Inspire them to want to learn. Inspire them to do their best and be their best. And how do these educators do this? They do it with passion and determination. I know that Aldine would not have built this wonderful facility if it did not have a passion for education. I also know that they would not name a school after Uncle Ben without staffing it with people who have a burning desire, and passion to help young people succeed and make their marks on the future. General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. and the Tuskegee Airmen have a proud and robust legacy and my family and I are honored and proud to be here for its dedication. We look forward to the Falcons continuing this legacy and keeping the brave Tuskegee Airmen and General Davis’ memory alive. Go Falcons!”

Prior to Ms. Burns’ remarks, Davis High Principal Thomas Colwell provided the welcome and introduced the stage guests. The Davis JROTC presented the colors and the Davis Choir sang the National Anthem. Student Jalyssia Moore led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas flag. Pastor Michael Pender of Fallbrook Church delivered the invocation. Assistant Principal Jennifer Merryman delivered the occasion. The Davis Band, under the direction of Director Mark Richard and Assistant Director Casey Watson, then performed a melody of American folk songs before Colwell delivered the dedication address. The choir, under the direction of Daryle Freeman, performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before Congresswoman Lee delivered her remarks and presented Board President Rick Ogden and Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg with an American flag and a Congressional Resolution marking the dedication ceremony. Ogden then accepted the school on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Moore accepted the school on behalf of the student body, while teacher Willette Trotty-Aubrey accepted the school on behalf of the Davis staff. José Palacios accepted the school on behalf of Davis parents and Clarence Callis accepted the school on behalf of the community.

Moore then unveiled the portrait of General Davis that will hang in the school prior to remarks from General Boddie.

The band then played the school fight song, which was followed by closing remarks from Bamberg.