WARREN RECEIVES SIGN ON INTERCHANGE
Tuskegee Airmen had logged over 12,000 hours
“We're going to right this wrong.”
Since first hearing about Lt. Col. James Warren's distinguished career just over a year ago, Paul Mirich has made it his goal to give the Tuskegee Airman the recognition due to him.
Like many drivers, with no sign to indicate any tribute, Mirich never realized that the Interstate-80/505 interchange is named after Warren. The general manager at Rowland Freedom Center is determined to change that.
Warren began his 35 years in the Air Force during World War II as an original member of the 477th Bombardment Group, comprised of Black military pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
Logging over 12,000 flying hours throughout his life, Warren's involvement in the many crucial moments of his country's freedom have made him a revered American hero.
In 1971, when Apollo 14 splashed down on Earth after nine days of gathering lunar samples, Warren was a member of the aircrew on the C-141 that recovered the space crew of three and flew them back to the Manned Space Center at Houston.
He continued on to serve in Korea and Vietnam, at which point he was selected by the Air Force to be the navigator on Homecoming One, a C-141 Starlifter that flew into North Vietnam and returned the first group of prisoners of war in 1973.
Warren's flying career earned him many accolades and medals, including the Congressional Gold Medal, presented by George W. Bush in 2007.
But his accomplishments didn't stop after his retirement.
At 87, Warren received his pilot's license at the Nut Tree Airport, entering the Guinness
Book of World Records as the oldest to obtain the certificate.
“The colonel was an American hero,” said Aubrey Matthews, longtime friend of Warren's and his civilian flying buddy.
“We were very close friends. I would go over to his house and we would play flight simulators on his computer,” Matthews recalled. “I always wanted to do things that would honor him after he passed away,” he said.
In 2014, Vacaville sought to immortalize the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen by naming a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 80 after the military unit. As a member of the unit, Warren was included but not specifically recognized until the following year.
The I-80/505 interchange was named the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange as outlined in the bill, SCR24, passed on July 16, 2015. However, a physical sign designating the recognition and new name of the interchange was never established.
“I didn't know about the interchange being named after him,” said Mirich. When he heard about Warren's incredible story from Matthews, Mirich's first question was why there was no sign.
As it turns out, Warren was adamant about not wanting the sign to be funded using taxpayer dollars. His request was honored for nearly 10 years until Mirich and Matthews realized it was “long past the time.”
“There needs to be a sign in order to show the respect and gratitude Warren deserved for his service to his country,” Mirich explained.
Avoiding taxpayer dollars altogether, Mirich and Matthews plan to raise funds for the sign, drawing on the generosity of donations from the community.
Matthews spearheaded the logistical side of things by contacting Caltrans. For two signs, and two keepsake signs, he received a quote totaling $7,000. Having filed the paperwork, the only thing left was to raise the funds due to Caltrans in February.
For Mirich though, the sign is only one part of the tribute. He is hoping to raise an additional $3,000 in order to fund “a really nice Tuskegee Airmen display here at the center.”
“What we're trying to do with families of the airmen is to have family items on loan, not just photos and models,” Mirich said. “We want to make it more personable.”
While the museum is accustomed to receiving donations from someone whose family member passed away, Mirich is always hopeful to get a story to go along with the item.
“It brings it home,” he said simply.
After a planning meeting this past week and another slated for Jan. 13, the museum's January edition of the Faces of Freedom speaker series will serve as the cumulative opportunity for the community to interact with Warren's story, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the fundraising goals.
Matthews will be the main speaker at the event, sharing his wealth of knowledge and historical anecdotes involving Warren and the Tuskegee Airmen. He will also be joined by some of the family members of the airmen who have been involved in the planning process.
“I reached out to James Warren Jr. yesterday and asked him to get in touch with his two brothers and sister,” Matthews said.
David Cunningham will also be there to share his father's unique story as a Tuskegee Airman. While most people assume that the airmen flew predominantly in Europe, Cunningham will speak on his father's experience as a fighter pilot in the Pacific.
Matthews is eager to share other aspects to the Tuskegee Airmen's story that often evade common knowledge. One accomplishment in particular named the unit the unofficial first “top gun.”
On May 2, 1949, the Tuskegee Airmen won first prize after eight days of flying at the first ever Air Force National Gunnery Meet at the Las Vegas Air Force Base.
In sharing these stories about the unit, Matthews shares Mirich's hope to create something personable. The event, and subsequently Warren's sign, are meant to invigorate the community and encourage them to keep these memories and accomplishments alive.
The first planning meeting this month allowed Matthews and Mirich to set assignments and answer basic questions such as, “why are we here?” and “what's the idea?” The answer was resounding. And simple.
“We want to honor Colonel Warren.”
“This is the first time our Faces of Freedom event has a mission to it. Usually people listen and learn,” Mirich said. In addition to benefitting from Matthews' historical expertise, attendees will be encouraged to offer ideas and brainstorm ways to raise funds for the sign.
Reflecting on the process that began a year ago, Mirich said, “You plan something and things pop up, but when we started the 2024 calendar we said this has to happen. The time is now.”
As plans for the sign continue to take shape in the coming months, the process is just one year shy of the 10 year anniversary of Warren's passing.
“He passed away in 2014, shortly after the ceremony,” Matthews said, referring to the display of the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway sign at which Warren was present.
Matthews himself was in charge of the placement of the Tuskegee Highway sign, as well as the planning, invitations and venue selection for the event. Asked by Warren why he didn't ask for help, Matthews responded, “the help would just slow me down.”
This time, the task of planning is being shared by many people, including the museum. But as a primary source on Warren's life, Matthews' role in helping spread awareness and raise funds has proven invaluable.
The Faces of Freedom event will occur Jan. 20, 10 a.m. at the Rowland Freedom Center, 300 County Airport Road C4, Vacaville.