Stretch of I-57 named for Tuskegee Airmen
BY HANNAH KOHUT Sun-Times Media February 20, 2012 4:10PM
Tuskegee Airmen Virgil Poole, 91, of Glenwood (center) and Robert Martin, 93, of Olympia Fields (right) autograph a mock-up of a new highway marker sign naming a portion of I-57 in the honor of the Tuskegee Airmen during a dedication ceremony at Markham City Hall in Markham, Illinois, Monday, February, 20, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 22, 2012 8:12AM
“This is the culmination of my life.”
That’s how 91-year-old former Tuskegee Airman Virgil Poole of Glenwood felt Monday at a ceremony to rename part of Interstate 57 in honor of the famed group of World War II black aviators.
The Illinois Legislature in May renamed the stretch of I-57 from Wentworth Avenue in Chicago to Sauk Trail Road the “Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail.”
At least 300 people packed the Markham city hall Monday as Gov. Pat Quinn joined local service organizations for the dedication.
Chicago-area Tuskegee Airmen were honored and treated to a heroes’ reception. A line of people wrapped around the room as they awaited autographs and photos with the men.
Alexis Huff of Chicago said five of her uncles were Tuskegee Airmen. She brought her 7-year-old son, Alex, to the ceremony to “witness history,” she said.
“I wanted him to see this,” Huff said. “This is amazing. Just amazing.”
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