Morning Journal/ Mary Ann Greier
These road indicators commemorate Charles Howard, a Civil Warfare veteran, and his grandson, Howard A. Tibbs, who served with the Tuskegee Airmen throughout World Warfare II.
SALEM — On the nook of North Howard Avenue and West Second Avenue, also referred to as Howard A. Tibbs Approach, the road indicators honor and symbolize a Salem household’s historical past of navy service.
Charles Howard, the namesake for Howard Avenue, served with the Union Army through the Civil Warfare and arrange store as a barber in Salem the place he raised his household. His grandson, Howard A. Tibbs, served durin World Warfare II within the U.S. Army Air Drive in a unit of the Tuskegee Airmen, receiving the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (Bronze reproduction) posthumously in March 2007.
On Memorial Day, members of the family gathered on that road nook to dedicate Howard A. Tibbs Approach and re-dedicate Howard Avenue and likewise honor the contributions of two different sons of Salem, George Catlin and Joseph Cooper, who have been additionally members of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Tibbs’ son Philip has been engaged on getting recognition for his father, a 1937 graduate of Salem Excessive College, beginning with metropolis council giving West Second Avenue from Ellsworth to Jennings the honorary designation of Howard A. Tibbs Approach.
Metropolis council made it official final 12 months, with the brand new indicators erected in Might 2021. Howard Avenue had been named for Charles Howard, grandfather of Howard A. Tibbs, in 1906.
“I feel it’s good,” Philip stated in regards to the Howard A. Tibbs Approach designation.
However he’s in search of much more recognition for his father, with a request to rename the Salem submit workplace for him launched, however nonetheless pending within the U.S. Home of Representatives beneath HR 2473.
He’s additionally submitted a proposed Ohio Historic Marker to honor each his father and his great-grandfather, Charles Howard, that he would love positioned on the nook of North Howard Avenue and Howard Tibbs Approach (West Second Avenue).
In response to the data for the marker, Charles Howard served 9 months with the Grand Army of the Republic U.S. Union Army, Firm F-Thirty second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He then served as a recruiter within the New Carrollton, Ohio and Alliance, Ohio districts for the fifth and twenty seventh regiments of the USCT (United States Coloured Troops) from 1863 till July 25, 1865.
Howard Arthur Tibbs, whose mom Emma was a daughter to Charles, entered the service in 1943 within the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF 99th F.S. & 477th MCG-Coloured), the items which might grow to be generally known as the Tuskegee Airmen/Ladies.
In response to a mayoral proclamation by Salem Mayor John Berlin, which was learn through the dedication ceremony by Councilman Steve Faber, the Tuskegee Airmen/Lady represented the nation’s first African-American Navy mission items/wing teams till 1946. An completed musician, Howard Arthur Tibbs performed the tenor saxophone and carried out with the navy Army Air Drive bands and USO reveals at segregated bases and cities across the nation, becoming a member of musicians such because the well-known Duke Ellington on stage.
Berlin declared Monday, Might 30, as Charles Howard-Howard Arthur Tibbs Day to honor each males.
Through the ceremony, Base Honor Guard members Senior Airman Chukwudi Anekue, Employees Sgt. Edward Lugo, Airman First Class Ryan Stein and Airman First Class Dominique Parham of Wright-Patterson Air Drive Base in Dayton offered the American and U.S. Air Drive flags. Two members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternal group, retired U.S. Army Col. Harold V. Anderson and Jeffrey Presley, additionally attended, with Anderson saying a number of phrases. Howard Arthur Tibbs had been a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Additionally remembered have been the 2 different sons of Salem, Joseph Cooper and George Catlin, additionally members of the Tuskegee Airmen. George Catlin’s nephew, retired U.S. Air Drive Col. Robert Catlin, who’s a cousin to Philip Tibbs, additionally spoke, saying the 4 males (Howard, Tibbs, Catlin and Cooper) symbolize households who’ve greater than 150 years of being residents, enterprise house owners and householders in Salem.
He thanked town officers and the Salem Historic Society for his or her involvement within the dedication ceremony and highlighted all of the navy service by quite a few members of the households and a few of his experiences in studying in regards to the Tuskegee Airmen and assembly a few of them who knew his Uncle George.
He admitted he acquired just a little emotional speaking about all the things, about his ancestors, their contributions and this opportunity to honor them.
“It means loads,” he stated.
