The East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated (ECCTAI) is the largest and the most active in the national organization. The chapter has approximately 300 members with diverse backgrounds that include active duty and retired military, civil servants, and private citizens from all walks of life - More than fifty chapter members are "original" Tuskegee Airmen, combat veterans of World War 11, who received their military training at Tuskegee Alabama. 

ECCTAI supports the national goal of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., to motivate, inspire and stimulate young people's minds to aspire to, seek and achieve successful careers in the fields of aviation and aerospace- To this end, ECCTAI members devote considerable time, effort and financial resources to capture young minds, to instill the undying will to learn, sacrifice and attain a self-sustaining status with marketable skills.  Over the years, ECCTAI has provided more than $30,000.00 in educational assistance grants. 

Locally, ECCTAI supports many educational, charitable and philanthropic activities, including the Tuskegee Airmen Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Squadron.  ECCTAI members enthusiastically participate in the annual District of Columbia National Guard Aviation Career Day.  This event, held at Andrews Air Force Base, attracts more than 2,000 young students each year and gives students the opportunity to meet and talk with members of the military, airline industry, scientific and educational community, as well the Federal, State, and local government organizations as they present career and employment opportunities. 

ECCTAI's membership roster includes many luminaries of great distinction For example, Dr. Florence Parrish-St.John, widow of the late Brigadier General Noel F. Parrish was honored recently at a 50th Anniversary of World War II occasion at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.  During 1995, General Benjamin 0. Davis Jr., the revered leader of the Tuskegee Airmen, received many high honors.  He received the Thomas D. White National Defense Award of the United States Air Force Academy and the General Ira Eaker Felowship Award from the Air Force Association.  The United States Military Academy at West Point bestowed the prestigious Distinguished Graduate Award, in part because  "…Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., can claim a larger measure of credit for inaugurating …(integration of the Air Force) … than any other person." (Office of Air Force History.)  Three of the "Gallant 101" ,of the Freeman Field incident are members of ECCTAI.  Their military records were recently expunged to remove all derogatory information regarding their participation in the incident, removing the stigma they bore for over a half century. 
 

The distinctive ECCTAI Chapter Seal is a fitting symbol for this dynamic organization.  The American eagle is central to the design of the emblem. Following a tradition that began with the dawn of Western civilization, 5000 years ago, when Egyptian and Assyrian kings and priests chose eagles as one of their chief symbols of power of human and superhuman dimension, the eagle is central to the design and character of our emblem.  From antiquity, the eagle has been a- symbol of might, nobility, strength, and is representative of courage, conquest, freedom, independence, magnanimity, truty, and immortality.  The American Eagle became the national symbol by act of Congress 20 June 1782, having been prominent in the New York State coat of arms since 1778 and subsequently incorporated in the state seals of Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming. 

From the darkness of ignorance and oppression climbs the young eagle, rising swiftly into the bright sunrise of new opportunity and challenge- Guiding his rise from the gloom are the illuminating stars for the supporting elements - women and men, military and civilian, essential groups and individuals. in his claws he carries the armament of education - the scroll, and the ability to fight for right - the arrows.  An American eagle looks to the side of the heart, flying to the defense of the highest principles of humanity.  He embodies Pride - Potential - Progress.