Retiree Appreciation Day

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Retiree Appreciation Day

Retired Army Staff Sgt. James “Red” Tucker joined the service after graduating Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. After military service, he returned to New Madrid, Missouri. “New Madrid County was one of the poorest counties in the United States of America,” said Tucker. “My mother was a poor, single parent on welfare. I worked the fields growing up. Joining the Army was an opportunity that would take me to a different level.” Tucker reflects on his service, admitting that racial issues were a challenge. "I was promoted one time in 17 years,” said Tucker, “and I saw people getting promoted over me who didn't have my educational qualifications or military credentials. I was determined to retire and have benefits, so I would be able to live a halfway decent life once I left the military. I achieved my goal. I kept my eyes on the prize, and I retired. I enlisted with the intention of serving, and I served.” Now Tucker continues to serve by being an advocate for others who face discrimination, by highlighting the good things his community does, and by taking care of his son, Undray, who suffers with autism. Tucker served three years active duty at Fort Carson, Colorado, and seventeen in the Colorado Army National Guard. He also is a retired high school social studies teacher and the recipient of three honorary doctorate degrees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tara Stetler)

Related Imagery

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kyle Green, 458th Airlift Squadron, C-21 pilot, poses during a trip to Tuskegee, Alabama, Sept. 28, 2021. The group of pilots from Scott AFB, Illinois made history as being the first all-African American crew to land the C-21 at Alabama's historic Tuskegee Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Sam Eckholm)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Johnny Frye, 458th Airlift Squadron, C-21 pilot, visits with students from the Red Tail Flight Academy during a trip to Tuskegee, Alabama, Sept. 28, 2021. The group of pilots from Scott AFB, Illinois made history as being the first all-African American crew to land the C-21 at Alabama's historic Tuskegee Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Sam Eckholm)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Sidney Ganison, C-21 pilot, stands next to Staff Sgt. Rachel Kinsey, Aviation Resource Management NCOIC, Capt. Johnny Frye, C-21 pilot, Master Sgt. Shina Williamson, 458th Airlift Squadron superintendent, and Capt. Kyle Green, C-21 pilot, (left to right) during a trip to Tuskegee, Alabama, Sept. 28, 2021. The group made history as being the first all-African American crew to land the C-21 at Alabama's historic Tuskegee Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Sam Eckholm)

U.S. Air Force pilots and crew from the 458th Airlift Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, pose for a photo alongside students from the Red Tail Flight Academy, Tuskegee, Alabama, Sept. 28, 2021. The school’s campus is on the same airfield the legendary Tuskegee Airmen trained at over 80 years ago and trains new students pilots interested in building flight time and learning more about aviation. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Sam Eckholm)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Johnny Frye, 458th Airlift Squadron, C-21 pilot, leads a tour of the aircraft during a visit to Tuskegee, Alabama, Sept. 28, 2021. The group of pilots from Scott AFB, Illinois made history as being the first all-African American crew to land the C-21 at Alabama's historic Tuskegee Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Sam Eckholm)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Sidney Ganison, stands next to Capt. Kyle Green and Capt. Johnny Frye (left to right), C-21 pilots, 458th Airlift Squadron, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, during a trip to Tuskegee, Alabama, Sept. 28, 2021. The group made history as being the first all-African American crew to land the C-21 at Alabama's historic Tuskegee Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Sam Eckholm)

375th Civil Engineer Squadron Graphic. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Shannon Moorehead)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Samir Ragih, 375th Operation Support Squadron airfield management shift lead, and Tech. Sgt. Anthony Cooper, 375th OSS NCOIC of airflow manager operations, measure the distance between two C-130 on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois Sept. 8, 2021. The airfield management Airmen ensure that the Aircraft are properly placed to ensure that they utilize their space, while keeping the mission safe.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Isaac Olivera)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony Cooper, 375th OSS NCOIC of airflow manager operations, and Senior Airman Samir Ragih, 375th Operation Support Squadron airfield management shift lead, evaluate the runway on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois Sept. 8, 2021. The airfield management Airmen have to ensure that they focus on the attention to detail aspect of their skillset when evaluating the runway to catch potential hazards, or emergencies. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Isaac Olivera)

Question Mark (below) and Douglas C-1 Refueling biplane, January 1929. (Courtesy Photo)

Crew of the Question Mark. (Courtesy Photo)

Airman 1st Class Tara Stetler
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