Portion of Charles Lindbergh Boulevard named in honor of Tuskegee Airman from Hempstead
Wheeler's family attended the ceremony on a section of Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, just in time to celebrate National Aviation Day. It is now known as William M. Wheeler Way.
•
Aug 20, 2020, 12:59 AM
•
Updated 1,609 days ago
Share:
A lasting tribute has been unveiled in honor of Tuskegee Airman and longtime Hempstead resident William Wheeler.
Wheeler's family attended the ceremony on a section of Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, just in time to celebrate National Aviation Day. It is now known as William M. Wheeler Way.
Wheeler became one of the first Black pilots in the Air Fore back in 1941, facing discrimination and racism in the Armed Forces.
His son says Wheeler would continue the fight for equality to this day.
"Know that there is a straight line between the Black Lives Matter folks and other important groups such as Tuskegee Airmen," he says.
Thursday would have been Wheeler's 97th birthday.
More from News 12
2:10
West Babylon Board of Education considers plans to close Forest Avenue Elementary School
2:50
Sunny and cold today; showers and a warmup for the weekend
1:15
Officials: At least 2 dozen people displaced following Central Islip apartment fire
0:27
Plainview-Old Bethpage School District voters reject $114M bond for upgrades
1:35
Garden Guide: This plant is a natural thermometer!
1:47
