whitman's writing and his outlook on a nation a minute tumultuous transition. in two hours a conversation between benjamin franklin and thomas jefferson has portrayed by bill roebling and bill barker. they talk about their roles in shaping revolutionary war era america and the constitutional government it produced. i'm really excited to be introducing you to our next guest general charles mcgee was one of the same tuskegee airmen and a career officer in the united states air force for 30 years who flew a total of 409 combat missions in world war ii korea and vietnam during world war two brigadier general magee with stationed in italy with 300 second fighter squadron of the 332nd fighter group. general mcgee, are you there? do you want to try to reduce yourself? good morning, and certainly the pleasure to be here to share because of the i realize that

teachers have a real challenge this day and age because there's so many things that are out there for youngsters to focus on and if we can keep them on the right track, that's what's good for the country. so it's pleasure to be able to share with you today. definitely. do you want to introduce us a little introduce yourself a little bit and tell us a little bit about your story. oh well. i'm charles edward mcgee brigadier generals united states air force retired. i ended up doing something i enjoyed doing and i like to pass that on to the young folks as you find your talents. pinpoint what you enjoy doing along the way but but i i was hooked after my first flight for some reason it struck me in a way and and then what followed is again? i don't have the answer. i sometimes say why me, how me i

don't know but i got wonderful assignments and was able to actively fly 27 of my 30 year air force career. so as i say i was hooked after the first first flight, but i also got involved in just before integration the air force. they said well you have to do something else besides flying. some went to intelligent school weather schools on i chose to go their craft maintenance. school so along the way besides enjoying flying i was active in material and maintenance support. is as well, so i had a well-rounded career as i say one. i enjoyed every every minute of it and i like to pass that on and i know to be able to share with teachers across the country

is is so important. you have a great task as i see it today because there's so many other things thrown the kids are in front of or you have to get their mind off of it. focus on the right right thing, so it's wonderful to be able to share with you and thank you for giving me the opportunity. definitely, i'm gonna be reading some of the questions that are coming in from our teachers for you to answer. so i'll tell you i'll tell you who said who asked it and then read the question so from richard vandenbosch in the midst of the racial tension of today. what advice do you have for the nation as it attempts to reconcile the discrimination of the past and present with the hope of moving forward as one semiunified nation. my goodness that's giving it a pretty deep into things and into politics and on but really when

i look at where we've been what we've accomplished and where we're going. money to me is our biggest problem. for too many years. improvement or or advancement with this measured in increased by the mind dollars? and that leaves unfortunately so many. of americans that we have today, and of course this gets into an immigration policy and all how many people can the country support and in just it's unfortunate that it's almost like a cassis system. there are those with money and do whatever and they're just so many hundreds and hundreds of people. in poverty how we can overcome that? i don't have the answer, but i think it certainly something

that needs to stay on the agenda because someday it's got to be solved or or we won't improve as time goes on we just keep moving on. but stay the same steal so many people not able to participate in the way. they would not prepared to. enter into the jobs that are there. there's it's not an easy question to to answer and there's probably no one way. there is a way and hopefully we have the folks coming along in policy positions that understand that and and focus on definitely. thank you for that. i know sar did you off of it with a tough one? but okay. the next one is from david trail and he says please describe how evident racism was among the

locals when you trained in tuskegee. real bird, that's very interesting. and of course the many folks don't know that the problem came from a 1925 war college study and the subject of that study was use of negro manpower of america gets involved in another war. paragraph four of that four page report that was sent to washington. says the knee was physically qualified. the negos mentally inferior to the white man need no negroes morally inferior to the white man. the negro would not even follow follow his own leadership effectively. and certainly segregation was part of that policy. they didn't want any negro in position that a white soldier had to salute them etc.

this was sent to washington to be a part of the future mobilization policy. and it's it's interesting because they they claim they've studied the issue know that any such effort to put blacks and aviation would be a failure. and should not be attempted, but it's interesting day. they didn't pay any attention to the black soldiers that went to france and thought with the friends were highly decorated and rewarded for for their service. they didn't pay any attention to a young black american bessie coleman who in 1920. went to france to get a license and came back. going around the country barnstorming certainly. she was interested in this new industry of aviation and blacks or whites. that would come out to the airfield to see her perform put

on a show and and as i say her barnstorming was introducing this new industry of aviation to to the to the country. that was a circumstance and said the time and it's interesting that when our country the declared war against germany later against japan our country was coming out of 10 years of depression and it the action didn't change segregation, but they did open some doors of opportunity the jobs that were in the industry built up and so on and so there were blacks very interested in implying and and with that door was closed. it's interesting. in 1939, they established a

civilian pilot training program and this at colleges around the country and in this program would provide a pool of pilots that are military can call on to meet meet their need as a war war went on. tuskegee institute in turkey alabama had a very successful civilian pilot training program and it's interesting that the allah was passed allowing the the army to contract the primary phase of their flight training to a civilian pilot training program. this would save their experience pilots to feel the units actively participating in the war. tuskegee institute applied and

got a contract so even though the policy was we can't fly. my first instructor was a black pilot from there their program and all of this is is so interesting. it shows i guess the dichotomy of the yes is the knows the nonbelievers those that believers it was all out there with applied in so many different ways. and so why are we called tuskegee airman now because the overall policy of maine maintaining segregation well, the army said it won't be successful. they allowed the training they first, excuse me. they first approved. the one squadron 99th pursuit squadron later changed to 99 fighter squadron. and it's it's interesting

because part of that army policy, although were blacks getting their. early flight training in the civilian pilot training program. in fact, i believe was in washington dc one of the graduates from the cpt window and said i want to be an army pine said oh we can use black father because we have any black mechanics. so the now called toxic airman i would say the first were the mechanics and is because of their training that i even learned about about the program. i was it enrolled at the university of illinois in the engineering program, but the mechanics were entered into training at the tech school chanute field rantoul, illinois. that's 14 miles away from the

university. and of course we learned something's going on because the god blacks and training up there. they were expected to fail. in fact, they were even tested twice because the first didn't believe that that they could get scores like they did in their the test program. they were successful and then the army said wow. we need an air force for the pilot training air force. i mean bases all around the country. they found four million dollars to build tuskegee army airfield. for the training so the now called oscarium the first were really the mechanics. they were successful. few months after the field became available. the pilot training begin and although the 99th. their pilots and their mechanics

were trained in ready for combat. the white commander one of them. they will say they started training 41 december that are combat ready. they kept them in training another three or four months before finally sending him to north africa but signed to by the group but colomire didn't want them. so segregation when overseas they went to their own base. they sent an officer over to the third group's location got their assignments came in through but more myers report were. told that they weren't aggressive and successful there only shot down one aircraft ought to be patrolling. libraria. well, that's a challenge to it's a studies. where is liberia?

where were the germans were they can't understand and though with get the way and but that brought a hearing in washington from that hearing. there's a little bit about it turns around, but the research on the hearing said well. bombs onto the same as the others there. stay in combat. so the 99th moved out of martha into sicily. i was sicily in the italy. well in the meantime training continued at tuskegee and three additional single engine fiber squadron were trained the 100-30 first and 30 seconds squadrons. i became amanda the 30 second. but the 332nd fighter group. all of us are trained in. the p40 and ready for combat and the p40 but he said oh you are going to do some patrol work.

and we were switched to the p-39 bill larry cobra. went directly to italy at the same time the 99th was moving out of sicily in italy. they were attempts to the i believe another factor, but i think 79th or 75th. my memories not certainly exactly well for that. but but i'd say a little bit of integration went over because colonel bates of the group, they were assigned to was just glad to have more pilots and more aircraft and over the ads. he'll be checked 99 flying with the 79th prime group shot down several german aircraft. so it was a matter of opportunity. but at this same time the 332nd was patrolling naples harbor and the waterways up the close to the anzio beach head. but it's in the spring of 44 is

we realized that. our bombers, although we thought they had enough guns on the 77s and 24s to protect them from the german air force that wasn't happening and with each aircraft laws. that was 10 american lives. so with this we were all working for 12 tactical air force. this four squadrons were moved to 15 strategic air force we gave our p-39 to the russians because the 332nd friday group was one of the four and we picked up people 47 thunderbolts and began. yes, so it worked with the thunderbolts had it about three months and then all four groups are flying p-51 mustang. so it was a wonderful aircraft, although there was built for the british when they put the

rolls-royce engine in it. we said perfect. yes. we'll use the tooth. so but that's the early history of the training and and and start there at tuskegee. and of course in fact when i graduated in june of 43 my that i instructor so there's too bad. they don't have obama program for you guys. i think you'd make a good bomber pilot. i didn't ask what he meant. but he didn't know nor did that they had already approved in three months later medium bomber training mitchell b-25 began at tuskegee armory field 477th bomb group medium. and what's interesting that i'm not sure everybody realizes that because of segregation in each case. it said and all of the necessary support.

so the support for for a squadron a couple hundred technicians of all of the skills required, but they also needed medical supply administration and so the other so that's another couple hundred hundred people. so although the program finally produce some 900 pilots. we're talking 13 14,000 support people that also became a part of what what took place. thank you so much. that was that was so much great information. the next question is from patricia. hey patty. hay and she's asking you to please share with us your four p's. oh my goodness. well in talking to young folks, i'd like to pass on the value lessons to them because there

are countries future and somewhere along the way i found that for. peace. to really kind of covered the not the water front but enough for them to be on track and that was perceived. prepare perform persevere. what do we mean by perceive? oh dream your dreams. financial to get but which are talents are when and i was like that and hope among is something you like to do like i fell in love with aviation. hopefully there's a lot you don't want to go to work every day, but not like what they're having to do because they weren't prepared for others, but prepare. get a good education. i like to add learn to ride and speak well, but develop those talents. that you hear perform. always do your best and everything to do and always have excellence. that's your goal.

that's what's important for country's future and persevere. don't let circumstance have been excused for not achieving we could have bowed ahead and said they called me names. they don't like me say i can't do something gone off not served the country. but what would that have accomplished? or performance bro, he'll bring your brother to change to the country is as jews pass providing equal access and equal opportunity for all but that came about the army never changed their policy, you know all through the war the war ending in 45. in 1947 the air force separated from the ground forces and their studies said we need to use people based on training experience and where needed not to happenstance of birth if you if you will and and we're not

getting enough money to keep it based open but limited because of segregation on signing and meeting our responsibilities. we need to integrate they were back to a few months later by very courageous president harry truman who issued executive order actually. well the issued to 9980 mandated. there should be equal access throughout the federal in hiring throughout the federal government 9981 mandated all of the services need the integrate will the air force finally carried out there that takes time 19 june of 1949 closed the segregated base. and actually the airports led the country. the equalizers and equal opportunity and providing for for all. thank you from cindy stillwell. where were most of your flights

to and from? when we went to italy of our early flying was from an airfield. near i'm gonna listen name wants to slip away from me the end. in southern italy and then later we moved to the adriatic side near the fauji area of italy and that's where we did the escort. or from the forge area of italy the bombers had moved out of north africa into southern italy. we were just north of them. so we as they took off and formed up we could joint meet them and join them at designated there is a flew toward their targets and that course was north to well from from italy

and northwest to southern france to north olive, germany. and then of course eastern czechoslovakia and all the way over to the enzo beach and in romanian, so that was the setup at the time from from bases in italy. but that prime base was in the poja area of italy. great. thank you. from david trail he asks what selection criteria were there for the tuskegee airmen when you joined select that's interesting. i'm not sure. i have the answer. or the selection process online for myself as i say i was in school.

i learned of the mechanics training and i think my otc instructor said, well, will be a pilot. i went and passed the pilot exams and got called. in in well, it was in the spring of 42 in october. i got a call and entered the pilot chain directed the cadet i think probably because my rotc training i didn't go have to go to boot camp or any other introduction so it may have varied some applied some had to go through from early army training and they were transferred to the to the air force but but it buried in i guess it would say it. it was your desire and willingness and not so much what? was required but in that early

day they did require. college study even for the mechanics by the time. as the war progressed finally you could enter him with high school graduate with the earlier you had to be college graduate it ended up high school graduate could go get into the aviation. okay. thank you from steven presswara. did you or any of your fellow tuskegee airmen ever have second thoughts about fighting for a country that treated you as second class citizens. oh, there may be a son that we're always upset over treatment and what took place, but i think the majority was very good for the opportunity and and we're glad to just say you're saying i can't do it then

wasn't the fact it was given the opportunity and of course along the way we had good leadership because there were those who believed in the opportunity and assured that we were granted that opportunity and fortunately we with the leadership that we had proved that that was not only good for the circumstance but good for the country and and became part of the policy that did not colored skin or how you cut your hair that's important, but it's what's in your brain and your ideas and your thoughts and the important and of course, that's where the the teachers all come in because they're sometimes i tell the students, you know, you've got the greatest computer ever built. it's your brain, but if you don't monitor your computer and do it right you don't get

results that's important in your studies if you don't develop your brain and and use it, right? drew the one that's hurt and of course if you don't do your best and do things along the way or put it well, you're you're their family serve the family the community that the community sort of the country serve so it's a it's something that all youngsters need to be aware of the importance of their progress along the way important for our country. definitely from eric hertman. can you describe your missions during world war ii and did you have many close calls? oh, wow. the mission was around camp moves lifestyles around 9 around six o'clock in the morning.

you got to wake up call a little exercise a little breakfast. then briefing on the mission for the day and from the briefing you go get your equipment together. then you go to the flight line and talk with your mechanic and check your aircraft over and everything was focused on the start engine time for pfizer pilots because that was based on um, what's time to take you to climb to altitude and and join the bombers that they got around every point. so all of this was planned by operations part of your briefing and and that's what you prepared prepared to meet each day that you were assigned to be flying. great. thank you. okay, here's a fun question from lisa gibson having flipped the coin at the 2020 super bowl. who is your favorite football

team? well at the point i didn't have a favorite but yet the other hand. retired from a base near kansas city and spent many years of my non-service time in kansas city, missouri, so it was kind of home. so although i wasn't flipping it to for hoping that the chiefs would win certainly the way it ended up and of course the early part of the game and didn't look like they were going to but they did so i was happy with that, but i didn't enter or flip the coin with with hopes at the time that either one would be the successful team. understood very fair food at the time. did you realize the significance of being a part of the tuskegee

airmen? and what were your thoughts about that? no. as i say i was just a happy camper along the way because i fell in love with flying and had had wonderful assignments, but didn't enter the wars and we're going to go down and set the world on fire and do something. we were just glad to be able to participate. with what the country is doing to support our allies as in europe and to me. that was what there were some that it always wanted to be a pilot. we're glad to be a part of it others. just glad that we had an opportunity to serve our country in that time time of need so that where we're mix mixed feelings there. there are some who served and got out of the service as soon

as they could after the war was over others, like myself getting wonderful assignments and opportunities remained in and that's why i ended up with 30 years of service. yeah, i hope myers has a follow-up to that question did fellow pilots in the vietnam war respect you more knowing that you are part of the tuskegee airmen. i don't think that was the case at the time because there was still many in the leadership that weren't for integration. there were still those who believed in that policy. that was ford and and that we were weren't capable or shouldn't have had the opportunity but as say fortunately and i think i

mentioned because of this in those years of the war from 41 to 45 there only never changed the pilots and it took the air force it separated two years later 47 to separate from from the ground forces. and and so changed like that and there is still they were facing today whether it's happens dance of birds or where you come from or and that type of thing in the immigration policies that we have so similar questions are still here for us to face in hope do do the right right thing about and that is and equal

access equal opportunity for all. and certainly again as far as the future is concerned. absolutely teachers because you place such an important part of every youngster and and that's a challenge today because all our schools even aren't the same and some of our schools are still graduating students, but they're not really quite prepared. and and again, this is something we can do something about and hopefully we're needed it that action will take place but in reality realize that isn't the case so we can't give up if you give up your loss. so we have to keep focused on on the goal and what it means for the country for the country's future. you know, i'm here's a question

from breanne wagner. she asks was the double v campaign particularly inflate influential or motivational for you or other members of your unit. for some wondering what the double double payment? i think it was pittsburgh courier newspaper. without an article that we were flying for two victories to these victory against hitler in europe. and of course later against japan and victor against against racism because it became a focus for our bomb group in their training and when their bases. seymour based the commander won to maintain segregation. he didn't want to be crewman of

the 477 bomb group, but he didn't want officers inning the ulcers club. he wanted to keep that white. he didn't want. the chance of black officers and and wives and others of white women didn't want their office to enter the club. so he put others. he had joe hunters. okay for base regulation, even though it was against armory policy saying that trainees on his base could only use the facilities he designated. entering the club was not for trainees. they had to use such and such a building knowing that that was contrary to armory regulations. they officers of the four cents bomb group.

peacefully and twos and threes went to the club were denied access. eternal silway called them and said i like you to read re-read my regulation and sign this paper that you will abide. 101 refused because they knew what army regulations. specify that the time and their news already taken out of their pay. they refused to sign were shipped off from seymour and based in indiana to garden a few kentucky behind. barbed wired guards and song treated worsen german prisons award at debate jason fort knox so that's that brother hearing

hearing i don't know where they sent selway. but the army never changed their policy. the war was over by this time 3:30 second for the groups back. gardening fields not the place for the unit and that's when they opened up selfish field. south of columbus, ohio there's a segregated base. and and that was the base that finally the air force closed in 49 they ended the segregation. program thank you. thank you for sharing that story. um. all right. the next question is from ben v. what are some important things? we should be teaching our students about being good citizens and what it means to be an american.

very interesting question because oh good students and enjoying the freedoms that we so much enjoy here in america and not unavailable many parts of the world. is a challenge that also do preparing themselves to not only to continue enjoy but but live them in their their life and actions to to the point that it's not to happen since a birth or how you fix your hair? that's important, but it's how you as a person. and react with others and with with their own own life and i to add that. he said all be look at the positive side of things the good side of things think there's an old saying.

accentuate the positive eliminate the negative and don't mess with mr. in between but but it's these types of values that are so important and certainly hope although we know teaching is from the book and so the various elements. that along the way our actions need to speak to these other values that are so important to to the future. definitely. thank you. um, okay from hope myers. how much of a voice did you have in military aviation's evolution? for example, did you have an engineer's ears when saying how the could be improved? along the way as i mentioned that i had. as a second part of my career gone to aircraft maintenance office school.

i was able to participate. when they started the what they called maintenance control effort, which is an office that looked at what was going on and assured that the units that that particular base had the right equipment or equipment they needed and so on to the keep the aircraft active and go and going able to participate in that type of thing. so along the way there were opportunities to see where things were and make helping recommendations that improved the maintenance or maintenance support that units throughout the services received. thanks. thank you. um from ron eisenmann. was there any specific incident or experience which led you be

so deeply patriotic? i don't think there was on. again, that leads to what i said earlier i've often asked why me how me i didn't ask for any assignment that i got. at one time they had a preference statement and at the time my preference was i'd like to be stationed on the west coast never happened all of my servants. all of my assignments are in the central part of the country. so i ended up retiring from rich and became the commander of richard, scarborough air base in retired in 1972. so it was happenstance and and not by direction, but certainly my training school along the way

there are a number of school opportunities. i was able to participate in and as i say i i just feel like look you have because i got assignments had added to my career experience and later career responsibilities and fortunately education that all along the way i was i was successful so and i was a happy camper as i said a long way because of that and on the other side, i don't recall i didn't have mentor so somebody along the way that said. oh mcgee's the guy for that but gaze the guy for that but it happened and and fortunately successful a career and i was able to serve with a lot of

people and and and turn my leadership and so on paid off along the way. yeah, just important to be ready for the opportunities when they come right here. okay from richard vandenbosch. what was the most harrowing of the ones are they 137 combat missions you flew? well, it's and in europe. and then later a hundred in korean 173 in vietnam, but but i would look at any. being more serious if you will then the other many depended on the the circumstance of the enemies' physicians at the time or the number of guns that might be protecting an area.

certainly it's very interesting and i can remember even i of my 136 missions and although i had a victory over a folk wolf. in world war ii in korea but in those i had no aircraft damage myself and world war ii korea. i realized that one time i'm flying on a gun in placement trying to keep our troops from crossing a valley and somebody's firing back and then my plane was hit but fortunately it was out in the wing and i was able to get back to my home base. and of course the plane had to be completely replaced. vietnam again, another phase of

and i put my flying experience in the world war ii was air superiority flying korea was interdiction ground support flying never saw a because they were down in the trees where we were vietnam technical intelligence we carried no weapons and speed was our defense. but again, hidden, new york right here fortson. he was out in the wing not cockpit i wasn't able to get to plan. i was too far from home base to get back to home base, but made it to a safe base. and but this is all a part of what we were trained prepared and part of our mission briefing to meet meet such an occasion and i was a thankful that all of mine were. ended up safely. yes, and we all are too. thank you and from monica pohovich, she says teaching

students to persevere is so hard. it doesn't if it doesn't work the first time they want to give up. do you have any tips on encouraging them not to give up? well, that's one of the thing doing saying part of persevere. don't let somebody and believe in some of the tons of you can't do something. you have to believe that you can. and and go for as i say remain positive in all of you. thinking you be aware of the negative, but don't focus on. not an easy thing. i'm sure for for youngsters with what they're facing so many. things happening out there that they don't need to give

attention to there's the communications today is so different. doesn't come from radio and home has come some almost everybody with the fallen in their hand and and now they're being bombarded with a lot of things that don't the youngsters don't need but they can't can't afford it because they've got a phone and and they these things come. so again, it's it's challenge them to the new teachers to hopelessly help steer the mind away from attention to all of those. as i say negatives that come come before and and realize what what's important in their training is as each year goes by definitely from david trail.

can you describe what it was like to fly in in the single seat fighter during in world war ii on long missions. and also what was the relationship like between the pilots and the maintenance men of the tuskegee year, man. various things. well, there are training as say we were trained as single-engine fighter pilots, so it it's your training prepares you to meet the mission types that that you're assigned in certainly our focus. it was so important to share with their mechanic because and in the course of the way we did that before. taking we had a takeoff time but backing off from that was time to walk around the aircraft check it out and and determine

the mechanic what he that work that had been done on it and how he felt the condition of the aircraft was very cute people. i used to say that you reporters need to occasionally talk to the mechanics that make it possible for what we pilots do in the hallways just talk talk to the pilot very key because the condition of the aircraft that you start up when you meet your engine start time was important so we were very close relationship and i was lucky enough to some 40 years after the war ended to meet again and serve with my mechanic nate wilson before he passed on but indeed a very important

relationship that that is shared because it meant so much and it was a challenge to each of our preparation. although we read the tech order and understand but passing on when you come back from remission to mechanic things that have happened or the conditions of the performance. helped him do his job on the ground and preparing for for the next mission. so it's was a wonderful relationship. that developed in certain important one along the way. definitely um, all right, so just as a warning to you and to everyone i think we're gonna take about two to three more more questions and then we'll wrap up. but the next question is from adam cat and he asks throughout your career in the air force. what type of aircraft did you enjoy flying the most? oh. will all of them were were good.

certainly. yeah, so fighter pilot p-51 with the rolls-royce merlin anderson whose tops in the day and time and then you have to be very careful with comparisons ending up in the f4 and after i retired i got a chance to get an f-16 ride in somebody said how do you compare and i say you don't of because but this is what technology has done for us. certainly in that early day. there were many things that the pilot did. by hand later on it was done automatically. you know, we were given them bomb the runway and later. they said what part of the run where or what section did you want hit bombed the building you wanted down the smoke stack or at the other end of the big technology.

has changed that picture along the way and certainly again is a challenge and also sure when the challenge for teachers as you look at. bringing youngsters along realizing that you can only end the time that you haven't just touch the idea that technology is ever out there and ever changing. it's a real challenge certainly certainly. all right from brianne wagner. she says she finds that students learn really well if they are able to touch some kind of artifact or sample. are there any objects that you kept from your service that have important value to you? what are they and why are they important to you? comparing service and training of my day to the train today there there isn't.

you really can't compare. they're very different. but i say this is because of where technology has taken us is over the years and the challenge to each of the youngsters that you have in your classrooms. today is much greater. i feel than it was to me 75. 80 years back when i was in school. we we have to recognize that but again, it's it's a big to teachers to get the answers in the right direction for them to understand that that they've got the absorb. i think a whole lot more than we did to be able to accomplish the missions missions assigned. but it's because we're technology is takeness. it's because the advancements that have come about and it's a

challenge of what what's in the future like the saying right now to the young ladies. one of you is going to be the lady going to the moon. who knows who's going to mars? but that's all i tell the answers training. we're trying to go to mars. oh, yeah, there was i guess what? when the training is completed, i think there was planners are going to be too old. it's going to be one of you. making making that trip we wish everybody won. the best as you prepare for but certainly also each and every one who's teaching a youngster today because of its what that means. not only for the united states future for the future of our country. thank you for the opportunity to be able to share with you. in the miseries they best good wishes stay safe. god bless america thank you so

much colonel. i mean general mcgee. sorry your promotion general mcgee. sorry. thank you so much for joining us and for sharing your story with all of us some i know we're all very appreciative of it. going to do for that all the best and stay safe this week. we're looking back to this date in history. i anthony m. kennedy do solemnly swear anthony kennedy this element quest but i will support and defend the constitution of the united states that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies foreign and domestic against all enemies foreign and domestic that i will bear true faith in allegiance to the sin and i will bear true faith and i'll even see the same that i take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion that i take this obligation treated without any mental reservation or purposes of the day that i will well and faithfully discharge that i will well and thankfully discard the duties of the office on which i

am about to enter the duties of the office upon which i'm about standard so help me god so help me god okay. mr. president and mrs. reagan chief justice and mrs. renquist distinguished and esteemed guests and friends my family joins me mr. president and again expressing. our depreciation for the confidence and the trust that you've been reposed in us. and we thank you mr. president,

and we thank you mr. chief justice. for this gracious reception and for the warm welcome you've given us to the court. into this city, we feel very much at home here. it is a singular privilege to succeed to the place left by justice powell. who served the court and the country was such wisdom and distinction. in this the year of the bicentennial it is appropriate to recognize an essential truth. and that is that the constitution of the united states is the single fact. the single reality the single idea the single moral principle that sets the united states apart. a mother nations now and throughout history. i shall honor the constitution. and at this gracious assembly and ceremony. it is appropriate. to note also that the presidency

the congress in the courts are committed to the constitution? into the rule of law into the heritage of freedom follow us on social media at c-span history for more this day in history clips and posts. you're watching american history tv every weekend on c-span 3 explore our nation's past american history tv on c-span 3 created by america's cable television companies and today we're brought to you by these television companies who provide american history tv to viewers as a public service. this is american history tv on c-span 3 where each weekend we feature 48 hours of programs exploring our nation's past.

walt whitman came to washington dc in 1863 in search of his brother a union officer who'd been injured in battle. he would remain in the nation's capital for the next decade working as a clerk and composing some of his most memorable poetry next on american history tv kenneth price examines the impact the city had on whitman's

writing and his outlook on a nation amid a tumultuous transition. his book is titled whitman in washington becoming the national poet in the federal city. he's joined by katrina bernadini contributing editor at the walt whitman archive the national archives foundation provided the video for this program. i'm katarina bernardini and i'm here with professor ken prize author of whipping in washington becoming the national poet in the federal city, which was just published by the oxford university press and it's available for 29.95 in hardback. welcome ken good to see you. so it's wonderful to see you too katarina. yeah, it's great to be here with you. so can you tell us more about the idea? for how this book came to you? how did it start as a project for you? well, like many whitman scholars, i've been