Tuskegee Airmen member visits Klein students

History is a part of every high schooler's curriculum, but it's not often that lesson walks through the door.

Larry E. Brown Jr. is a living legend.  He is an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen, who are known for being the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces.

“I just wanted to do something for society, and this was a way of doing it," says Mr. Brown.

From 1941 to 1946, nearly 1,000 pilots were trained as part of the Tuskegee program.

“I loved every minute of it. I'd go out now if you wanted to,” says Mr. Brown.

Today, 70 years later, the unit's remaining members spend their time sharing memories such as with this class at Klein High School.

“I am very interested in encouraging our youth. I would like all youth in this country to be able to do things and to get places that was a little obstacle for me but it should be a lot easier for them,” says Mr.  Brown.

“He's part of, part of history that a lot of people don't get to experience firsthand,” says Cydney Ayala, who has been looking forward to hearing the stories and wisdom of Mr. Brown.

Though she's not planning on joining the military, she is pursuing another challenging career - becoming a surgeon.

“His perseverance inspires me to keep on doing what I'm doing. It's probably not as hard as what he went through, but I know that I can get through it too."

“They at least get some images of those of us who have gone before them so they can get some idea of what we did and how we got there and what they need to do to get there,”​ says Mr. Brown.