AUSTIN — Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. was honored to unveil the P-51C Mustang Replica Aircraft at the new Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home in Fort Worth on Friday, August 2, 2024. These distinguished World War II pilots were nicknamed the “Red Tails” for the iconic red markings on the tails of their aircraft. 

"As Texas Land Commissioner and VLB Chairwoman, honoring and remembering the legacies of our nation's heroes is a responsibility I take very seriously," said Commissioner Buckingham. "This replica aircraft is not only an incredible addition to VLB's Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home but a reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of our U.S. military members. Fort Worth has strong ties with Texas' Veterans community and a long history of championing our military men and women. I look forward to strengthening this bond through VLB's new home as we work to support Veterans and supply fulfilling work to health care providers in Fort Worth and across North East Texas." 

Along with Texas Land Commissioner and VLB Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., several prominent figures connected with the Fort Worth community spoke at the event, including:

• Veterans Land Board Executive Secretary, Tony Dale
• Councilman Chris Nettles, Council District Eight in Fort Worth (Invocation)
• Don Graves, Iwo Jima Veteran (National Anthem)
• U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey, Texas' Congressional District 33
• Representative Nicole Collier, House District 95, Texas House of Reps.
• Representative David Cook, House District 96, Texas House of Reps.
• Representative Ramón Romero Jr., House District 90 in the Texas House of Reps.
• Landon Nitschke, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations for Southwest Airlines
• André McEwing, Vice Chairman of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce
• Al Henderson, Vice President of the Claude R. Platte Dallas Fort Worth Chapter of Tuskegee Inc.

A tour of the VLB’s newest Texas State Veterans Home was held after Commissioner Buckingham delivered remarks and unveiled the replica aircraft that will remain at the home. This 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility can serve 120 Veterans, spouses, and Gold Star Parents.

The home includes 24 private rooms and a memory support neighborhood for 30 residents. The Tuskegee Airmen TSVH will be the 10th long-term care home for eligible Veterans in Texas. This first-class facility is expected to open in 2025.

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of over 900 airmen and the first all-African American flying collection in the United States Armed Forces. They are remembered for flying over 1,500 missions across North Africa and Europe in WWII.

For their hard work and bravery, these men received more than 150 Distinguished Flying Cross awards, 60 Purple Hearts, and the Congressional Gold Medal. Despite their encounters with racism and prejudice, they helped pave the way for post-war U.S. military integration and inspired a new generation of aviators. 

Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term care for Texas Veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents. Conveniently located across Texas, each facility is designed to enhance Veterans' quality of life with a clean, caring, and dignified setting appropriate to those men and women who have served our country honorably. To learn more, visit https://vlb.texas.gov/veterans-homes/locations/index.html.