A Rhode Island veteran made history while serving our country. Now, he is asking Americans from all over the country to help him celebrate his birthday.For Retired Sgt. Victor Butler, putting together puzzles is calming. Much calmer than fighting in a war.Butler is believed to be the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen in Rhode Island. Nicknamed Red Tails, the Tuskegee Airmen were a group of Black military pilots who made history fighting in World War II, breaking barriers and leading the way in desegregating the U.S. military.”At first, I was going to join the Canadian Air Force with a friend of mine, but after I had signed up my mother and father wouldn’t approve of it,” Butler said. “So I joined with the American Air Force.” Butler would become a mechanic for the Tuskegee Airmen — working on legendary planes, all while dealing with racism.”Being in Tuskeegee, Alabama, it wasn’t very acceptable to white people for Black soldiers to be walking around,” Butler said.Today, he has awards, coins and so much more documenting his accomplishments.But he’s looking for one more thing: birthday cards.”It’s just another day that’s all,” Butler said.Butler is turning 100 next month on May 21 and his wish is to get cards from as many people as possible. “Oh I’ll read every one of them,” Butler said.You can mail your happy birthday wishes to Victor W. Butler, in the care of Gary Butler. The address is P.O. box 3523, Cranston, Rhode Island, 02910.Watch the video above to see more on this story.
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A Rhode Island veteran made history while serving our country. Now, he is asking Americans from all over the country to help him celebrate his birthday.
For Retired Sgt. Victor Butler, putting together puzzles is calming. Much calmer than fighting in a war.
Butler is believed to be the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen in Rhode Island. Nicknamed Red Tails, the Tuskegee Airmen were a group of Black military pilots who made history fighting in World War II, breaking barriers and leading the way in desegregating the U.S. military.
“At first, I was going to join the Canadian Air Force with a friend of mine, but after I had signed up my mother and father wouldn’t approve of it,” Butler said. “So I joined with the American Air Force.”
Butler would become a mechanic for the Tuskegee Airmen — working on legendary planes, all while dealing with racism.
“Being in Tuskeegee, Alabama, it wasn’t very acceptable to white people for Black soldiers to be walking around,” Butler said.
Today, he has awards, coins and so much more documenting his accomplishments.
But he’s looking for one more thing: birthday cards.
“It’s just another day that’s all,” Butler said.
Butler is turning 100 next month on May 21 and his wish is to get cards from as many people as possible.
“Oh I’ll read every one of them,” Butler said.
You can mail your happy birthday wishes to Victor W. Butler, in the care of Gary Butler. The address is P.O. box 3523, Cranston, Rhode Island, 02910.
Watch the video above to see more on this story.
