As we mark the passing of world events that happened seventy years ago, I felt that we as a community should rewind and take a look back into our history. This is our chance to give thanks to the men and women of our greatest generation with their "can-do attitudes" and service to others. We can only hope that national unity will continue to be strong and help inspire our future generations.

Gen. Claire Lee Chennault was born on Sept. 6, 1893 in Commerce, Texas but relocated and was raised in Gilbert, Louisiana. Growing up on the Louisiana bayou taught Chennault many things that he would later use while he was in the military. In 1919, Chennault earned his wings from the U.S. Army Air Corps. After retiring from the military and being ill for quite some time Chennault had an offer to go to China and help with their air force.

Gen. Chennault and the American Volunteer Group (AVG) destroyed around 300 enemy air crafts while only losing 12 of their own. This group would be known as the "Flying Tigers," and they were the very first AVG of the Chinese Air Force.

Under Chennault's command, the 14th Air Force

• destroyed more than 2,600 enemy aircraft
• sunk damaged 2,230,000 tons of enemy merchant vessels & 45 naval ships
• killed more than 66,700 enemy troops

The 14th Air Force was the smallest and most remote air force in the history of WWII.

ULM gives respect and recognition to Gen. Chennault by renaming the "Indians" to what is now the "Warhawks." In WWII, the Air Force utilized the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk during combat and used Gen. Chennault's fighting tactics to help the pacific against the Japanese. The Warhawk was an American single-engine, single seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938 and was used by the Allied troops. Also during WWII, Monroe’s Selman Field was the nations largest aviation school. Gen. Chennault had made Monroe, LA his home, and his legacy is still here today.

The Chennaut Aviation & Military Museum in Monroe, Louisiana is having a grand opening of the Chennault exhibit and fundraiser on September 26, 2015. The event will be from 7-9 pm at the museum. This event is a night of remembrance with cocktails , music, private tour and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum. For tickets and more information contact Adrienne Steele at cammticketinfo@gmail.com or call (318) 557-9757.