FORD AUTO DEALERS, DRAGONS TEAM UP
TO HONOR LOCAL VETERANS
Ford Honor Them Program Will Honor Tuskegee Airman Charles Feaster on August 16
DAYTON, Ohio – Ford Auto Dealers and the Dayton Dragons will host Tuskegee Airman Charles Feaster during the unique Ford Honor program on Sunday, August 16 at 2 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Burlington Bees at Fifth Third Field.
The Ford Honor Them program provides veterans in the Dayton region a once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate their service to their country during a special inning break. Each honoree has their story told during a sold-out Dragons home game followed by a standing ovation from the crowd in appreciation of the veteran’s hard work and dedication both in military and civilian accomplishments.
Charles’ Story
To view Charles’ story, click HERE.
When Charles Feaster was a young boy, his father would carry him to the flying field near their house and pay $1 to have a pilot fly him through the sky. He fell in love with planes back then and was hooked.
Feaster was a student at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in 1940, when he had the opportunity to join the 99th Pursuit Squadron, later called the 99th Fighter Squadron and today revered as the Tuskegee Airmen. With his love of airplanes, it was no surprise that he jumped at the chance. He qualified as a technician and flight engineer in the 99th Fighter Squadron, one of only six people that passed the exam to hold that position.
The 99th Fighter Squadron distinguished itself during World War II in the campaigns in North Africa, Italy, northern and southern France, the Rhineland and the Balkins. Feaster’s planes were responsible for tactical fighting- wiping out enemy aircrafts to get his men safely to their next location.
Feaster was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 for his role in destroying more than 400 enemy aircrafts. He also received the presidential gold coin from President Barack Obama last year at the Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus.
“Getting the gold coin is something I will never forget,” Feaster said. He remembered exactly what the President said to him as he handed him that gold medal: “Feaster, you are a path breaker.”
Today, Feaster keeps busy as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Zion Baptist Church in Xenia. He is also a member of the Xenia City Civil Service Commission. He and his wife, Mae, have been married for 70 years and currently live in Xenia.
Ford Auto Dealers and the Dayton Dragons applaud Charles Feaster and all those who have served in the US Armed Forces. Please join us in thanking Charles for his service during the Dayton Dragons game on August 16.
More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com.
