ORLANDO, Fla. — March 27 marks the first official Tuskegee Airmen commemoration day in the state of Florida.

The day was created by Gov. Ron DeSantis back in 2024, to be celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of March. The now legal holiday honors the historic African American troop of pilots for their contributions during World War II. Some of them call Central Florida home.

What You Need To Know

  • Tuskegee Airmen commemoration day is now officially observed the fourth Thursday of March
  • Gove. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law back in 2024 to acknowledge the contributions of the first troop of Black pilots

  • Flight Officer Daniel Keel, who is a DOTA, or Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen lives in Clermont
  • He and his daughters were invited to MCO for a reception and viewing of the exhibit

Orlando International Airport got a jumpstart on celebrating the decorated airmen with an exhibit at the airport highlighting some of the Tuskegee Airmen. Airport officials also hosted a reception event honoring one of the last living original Tuskegee Airmen residing in Clermont.

His name is Flight Officer Daniel Keel. At times he’s referred to as lieutenant, because of the length of time he spent in the military and the work he accomplished while he was there.

Keel is still a giant to many people, including former Air Force Lt. Colonel Toby Hubbard, who attended the reception.

“I was first of all, blown away when I shook the hands of these guys,” Hubbard said. “It’s like a legend. Shaking hands with a legend.”

Hubbard has actually come to know a lot of the DOTAs, or Original Documented Tuskegee Airmen. He has been a driver and friend and now historian when it comes to documenting their lives.

Hubbard is the current president of the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated organization that devotes their time to sharing the stories of America’s first troop of Black pilots.

Out of the three regional chapters, Hubbard is over one of the Eastern chapters — the General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Chapter to be exact.

“I’m an inquisitive person by nature, so it was easy for me to listen to them. The more I listened, the more I loved it and it was easy for me to come on board,” Hubbard said.

Draped in the red coats, patches and pins, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. members from across the state sat in the front row of the reception hall at MCO as Keel was wheeled through the room. He stood proudly for the pledge of allegiance and then again to accept a plaque from the airport and thank the community for their attendance.

The red coats stood and applauded Keel, signifying an allegiance as well. Not just to America but to history. A commitment to Black American history and making sure it’s never forgotten. A commitment that Hubbard doesn’t take lightly.

Daily, he’s delving deeper into the stories of the airmen, waiting for an opportunity to educate others on their accomplishments. It doesn’t matter if it’s the stories about their signature red tails or the fact that there were only 5 triple-rated airmen out of more than 900.

“That means pilot, bombardier and navigator,” Hubbard explained.

If there’s a fact to be learned about the Tuskegee Airmen, he’s not ashamed to spread the word. Keel is one of those triple-rated airmen. He’s also the last living DOTA in Central Florida. One of only two still living in the state, and one of only a handful left across the country.

The exhibit will remain on display through April 20. The exhibit is located on the third floor of terminal A, next to the Starbucks.

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. members are also commemorated the new holiday with an event on Saturday at 5:30pm in Brevard County. For additional details, click here.