“To be without a past is worse than being without a future.”
- Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Award 1986
In 1977, the Sacramento Chapter, founded by CMSgt James (Big Ed) Edmondson, USAF (Ret.) and SMSgt George Cheaney, USAF (Ret.), became one of the many Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. chapters across the United States. There are now 50 chapters.
In 1984, the chapter name was changed to the George S. “Spanky” Roberts Chapter, honoring its deceased member, Col. Roberts, graduate of the 42-C class, and the first Black commander of the 99th Pursuit Squadron. He served in both World War II and the Korean War as a fighter pilot and commander. Col. Roberts retired from McClellan AFB, California in February 1968 after 27 years of active duty.