P-51B/C (serial unknown) TOPPER III of Capt. Edward Toppins, 99th FS, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944

One of the first replacements to join the 99th FS, Ed Toppins was described as a "pilot's pilot" and "almost a daredevil" by his fellow aviators. With four kills, he was the second highest scorer in the group. This aircraft was issued to Toppins after he had scored his fourth kill. One of his earlier TOPPERs had to be scrapped after he warmed its fuselage diving on an enemy aircraft (which he destroyed). Following his tour, Toppins married the widow of Sidney Brooks, but he was himself killed in the crash of P-40N 44-7754 at Tuskegee Army Air Field on 17 March 1945.

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"Tuskegee Room"

Original members of the Tuskegee Airmen cut the ribbon at the dedication ceremony of the "Tuskegee Room" at the Bolling Air Force Base Club in Washington, D.C., March 28. The Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush March 29, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Timothy Chacon)

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2008 PAFB Air Force Ball

Staff Sgt. Jessica Rolfe of the 45th Medical Group, shakes hands with the Tuskegee Airmen who attended the 2008 Air Force Ball (U.S. Air Force photo by Jim Laviska)

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ESGR accepting Freedom Award nominations

Published Dec. 3, 2009

WASHINGTON -- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, is taking nominations until Jan. 18 for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

Members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families are encouraged to nominate employers who have done an exceptional job in supporting their military employees. ESGR accepts nominations online at www.FreedomAward.mil

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for supporting their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Reservists can also nominate their employers for the Patriot Award year round. Employers receive a Department of Defense Certificate of Appreciation and a Patriot lapel pin. Reservists can nominate their employers by clicking on http://www.esgr.org/newforms.asp?p=patriot, and filling out the online form.

More information about ESGR awards is available at http://esgr.org.

P-51B/C (serial unknown) TOPPER III of Capt. Edward Toppins, 99th FS, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944

"Tuskegee Room"

2008 PAFB Air Force Ball