"Rise Above: Red Tail" Takes Flight at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
As you may have seen, we have been very excited about the Rise Above: Red Tail exhibit at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, and it is finally here! From now until February 23, this unique exhibit helps tell the story of some of America’s greatest trailblazing heroes, the Tuskegee Airmen.
Having had a chance to view the film myself, I thought I would give you all a sneak peek at what to expect!
The Film
One of the best things about the exhibit is that it is free with admission. So along with the USS Yorktown, USS Laffey, and three-acre Vietnam Experience, you can see Rise Above: Red Tail for free with admission. It’s a great way to spend a weekend in the Lowcountry, especially during Black History Month.
The traveling exhibit is currently set up in our parking lot, so it’s incredibly easy to find, and with shows running every 45 minutes from 9 AM until 5:15 PM, there is always a chance to catch it. Watching it, I thought it was fantastic for the entire family. I talked about many of the films involving the Tuskegee Airmen before, but none are quite like this. Purely factual and exciting at the same time, this one backs a dynamic punch that only real life can have.
When you enter the trailer to view the film, you will see the impressive 160-degree panoramic display and some fun facts about the Tuskegee Airmen and their accomplishments. One of these connects directly with Patriots Point, as I learned that the plane that many of the Tuskegee Airmen trained to fly in Boeing Stearman planes. You can see an example of one of these on the USS Yorktown in Hangar Bay 1, while it isn’t one from the Tuskegee program, it is an excellent example of the kind of aircraft used to train many pilots of the World War II era.
When the movie starts, it takes up almost your entire field of view, with fantastic sound that seems to move through the room, bringing the experience to life for the viewer. It should be mentioned that if you are a fan of science fiction, you may recognize the voice of the narrator Michael Dorn, most well known as Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation. He helps to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, and how difficult it was for African-Americans to serve their country during World War II.
The Power of Reality
One of the most powerful things about the film isn’t the archival footage, or the dramatic shots of a restored P-51 Mustang, though those are inspiring, it’s the interviews with the veterans, the heroes who were there. The personal accounts of the Tuskegee Airmen, the men who faced and overcame adversity, who came home to a country that was not accepting of them due to the color of their skin, and who saw the changes that could come in the decades to follow. These are the stories that moved me, that made me reflect on their sacrifice and service. They went and served to keep America free, to protect Liberty, showing their fellow countrymen the self-evident truth “that all men are created equal.”
Along with this compelling story, you will also learn about the CAF, Commemorative Airforce, and their mission to help bring this story to life for a public who may not have learned about the trailblazing Tuskegee Airmen. With their restored P-51 Redtail Mustang, you will take to the skies and see a breathtaking panoramic view of the Earth from the cockpit. It is the cherry on top of the magnificent, educational, and entertaining presentation. I may be biased, but I can’t recommend it enough.
With February being Black History Month, we must take time to reflect on our history, where we came from, and where we are going, and with “Rise Above: Red Tail,” there is almost no way to do so. Fun for the entire family, it’s a great film. Remember it’s only at Patriots Point until the 23rd, so head down this weekend!