Honoring a piece of American history at Schaumburg Airport

The late Donald Lang Sr. didn't dare dream of going into aviation as a profession, even after his days with the Tuskegee Airmen. It wasn't an option during segregation for the first African-American military aviators, no matter how accomplished.

World War II ended and he instead went to work in Newark, N.J., for the housing authority during the day and postal service at night.

Today, Lang, his fellow pilots and support personnel who overcame adversity to serve with distinction are being honored through the Commemorative Air Force's Red Tail Project, which aims to teach the lessons and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen to America's youth.

A piece of that history came to the Schaumburg Airport on Saturday, as Lang's son, Brad, displayed a restored P-51C Mustang fighter plane flown in World War II combat. It is touring air shows and airports, raising awareness and hopefully $700,000 to construct a traveling museum.

"We're trying to tell the story of the Airmen," said Brad Lang, a Los Angeles resident and Delta Air Lines pilot for the last 23 years. "Our hope is that today's kids will understand the challenges these men went through, and will in turn prevail themselves."

There are only four known Mustangs in the U.S., said Lee Abernethy, one of the event organizers. He said the plane was in pieces when it was acquired more than 10 years ago.

One World War II Army veteran who has unwavering respect for the Tuskegee Airmen is Schaumburg resident James Butz, 85, who came to the airport to see the Mustang.

An infantryman who fought in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, Butz said that the Airmen flew aircraft able to travel longer distances, escorting and protecting bomber planes.

"They played a significant role in our bombing campaign and ground success," Butz said. "This really takes me back."

To help raise money for the Red Tail Project, the public can pay $2,500 for a 30-minute flight. Six daring civilians took turns flying in the seat behind Lang on Saturday, completing 360-degree loops and other tactical maneuvers at 280 mph and 10,000 feet in the air.

A few dozen curious spectators joined the group for a preflight briefing, in which they learned about the Airmen, the intense G-forces they'd feel and how to deploy their parachute in the event of an emergency.

The first to go up was Suzy Sparacio, a 25-year-old aspiring actress from Naperville. Family friend David Mullins, of Darien, who's like a grandpa to Suzy, gave her the flight as a gift in memory of her late father.

"I figured it's the closest I'll get to my dad in heaven while I'm still on this earth," said Sparacio, who returned soaked with perspiration but feeling exhilarated.

For more information about the Red Tail Project or to donate, visit redtail.org.