Interview with John Capone, Educator at Cane Creek Middle School
By Joe Elliott
As the founder of the VetCard Campaign, a local project honoring WW2 veterans, I conducted the following Q&A with history instructor John Capone, the lead teacher on the Tuskegee honor effort at Cane Creek Middle School.
Joe Elliott: Had any of your students ever heard of the Airmen or have any impressions of them prior to this project?
John Capone: No, they hadn’t gotten to the WW2 era in their studies. However, during the preparation for the cards I went over a brief history of the Red Tail Squadron and we studied their mottoes: Aim High, Believe in Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready to Go, Never Quit, Expect to Win. These are principles the students are able to apply to real-life situations they may face as they go out into the world.
Tuskegee Airmen, the famed all-black WW2 bomber and fighter squadron. At the conclusion of the lesson the
students honored the Airmen by creating 100 special handcrafted cards of appreciation.
Elliott: The Airmen approached their tasks with very much a “can-do” spirit, determined as they were not to fail. Were you able in any way to extrapolate their philosophy into anything practicable and useful for your students?
Capone: We did discuss the importance of trying your best and not giving up on a task. We also agreed that teamwork and a willingness to collaborate and achieve a result that instilled pride in all members of the Team was also an important goal.
Elliott: The Airmen are a historic group not only for their wartime heroism but also for helping promote a more positive public view of black Americans. Did you discuss this (latter) side of their legacy at all?
Capone: We discussed the fact that a hero need not only be a person who risks their life in a combat situation. The students recognized the challenges the Airmen faced after returning from the war. They agreed that the bravery displayed by these men involved in the fight against hatred, racism, and prejudice at home required even more heroism and sacrifice than did their faithful service to their country in time of war.
Elliott: Overall, what as a teacher do you feel your students gained from this experience?
Capone: I believe my students gained a deeper knowledge and respect for the brave men of the Red Tail Squadron. I also feel that, as with all of the activities we have done for the Veterans Card program, my students gained a sense of pride in being able to express their thanks to people who otherwise may have been denied the appropriate measure of respect justified by their sacrifices and service to their country.
