So I had heard about the Tuskegee Airman, being the air show buff that I am.  But who were they?

I had the pleasure of meeting one of these legends at Nellis Air Force base at an air show in 2009.

His name was “Wild” Bill Holloman.  “Wild” Bill was sitting at a table, laughing and telling lies, had a mouth full of pizza, and was sipping on straight scotch (a true pilot at their finest).

The night was full of laughs, fighter pilot hands (modeling dog fights), and a marriage proposal on my end to Bill (who totally shot me down…yes, I am shameless).  I left that evening with a huge smile on my face, and a lot of questions.

I pulled my friend Gary aside and asked what Mr. Holloman did in the military. He looked at me and screamed, “What?! How do you not know about “Wild” Bill Holloman, do you live under a rock?!”

Little did I know, Lt. Colonel William Holloman flew the P-51 Mustang in combat missions, 19 to be exact, and was the first African-American to fly a helicopter for the United States Air Force.

He was required to complete twice the amount of training than his white counterparts, and was told that African-Americans were not smart enough to fly or maintain aircraft.  Despite those barriers, he served his country in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam amongst the greatest aviators in the United States.

“I was proud to be associated with that group of men who not only fought racism among the Nazis, but also here in America,” Holloman said.

Bill overcame every obstacle imaginable and I’m whining about finishing my private pilot’s license?!

I sat down with Bill ask frankly asked him how he did it.  “Kelly,” he said, “when you love anything enough, you’ll figure out a way to make it happen. And it’s even more fun when you prove everyone wrong.”

My point; hard work and perseverance will always overcome adversity.