A salute to greatness

PORT CLINTON — A statue to honor an Ohio trailblazer was unveiled at a private event on Saturday. More than a hundred community members gathered at the Liberty Aviation Museum, 3515 E. State Road, to celebrate the life and legacy of Harold Brown. Brown, who lived in Port Clinton, was a member of the first all-Black military pilots of the Air Force known as the Tuskegee Airmen. They made up the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group that served during World War II. He died in 2023 at the age of 98. Perpetuating memory The event included a dedication of a statue of Brown sculpted by local artist Andy Sacksteder. The statue will be placed at the museum's entrance. A PT-17 Stearman plane renamed "Harold's Dream" was on display. The aircraft is similar to one that Brown would have used in his pilot training. "Today marks a significant milestone in perpetuating the memory of Dr. Harold Brown," Bob Fujita, the museum's director of operations, said. "A man who affected all of us personally and made significant contributions this nation, state and our hometown." Family members and friends shared their favorite memories of Brown with attendees. "My father stood for fairness, kindness and gratitude, traits that he demonstrated to everyone he met," Brown's daughter, Karen Brown-Jackson, said. "He taught me the importance of integrity, compassion and community." Attendees sang "Happy Birthday" to celebrate what would've been Brown's centenary birthday. "He wanted to live to be 100," Bordner said. 'An American hero' The Tuskegee Airmen acted as fighter escorts for bombers in the European theater. They lost only seven bombers on missions. On average, other U.S. bomber escort squadrons lost 46 planes. The success of the group's missions was integral to President Harry Truman's decision to desegregate the military in 1948. Brown went on to serve during the Korean War. He later got a Ph.D. from Ohio State University and became the vice president of academic affairs at Columbus State Community College. Brown later settled in Port Clinton with his wife, Marsha S. Bordner. The pair published his memoir, "Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman" in 2017. "Harold was a local celebrity, loved by all for his genuine humble nature," museum CEO Ed Patrick said. "He was a storyteller, as we all know, and an American hero, he broke barriers and was a leader his entire life." Brown frequently gave talks about his experiences at local schools and military events.