HomeMy WebLinkAbout09A Presentation - Rusty Burns DayWhereas, Tuskegee Airman and flight instructor Rusty Burns
was born Isham Albert Burns, Jr. on July 24, 1925 in New Orleans,
Louisiana; and
Whereas, Rusty developed his love for aviation in the fifth
grade and studied aeronautics in Los Angeles' Jordon High School;
and
Whereas, at age sixteen he worked at the Burbank Airport
while learning about aircraft, theory of flight, navigation and
meteorology, and passed the federal aviation exam at age eighteen;
and
Whereas, during World War II Rusty served as one of the
youngest Tuskegee Airmen in the 99t" Fighter Squadron at
Godman's Field in Kentucky, training on several aircrafts including
the BT-13 and the AT-6; and
Whereas, in 1955 he opened Rusty's Flying Service and began
giving flight instruction at Compton Airport in Los Angeles; and
Whereas, he trained over five hundred students before selling
his business in 1971 to become an aviation consultant. He retired in
1988 after developing a travel service program for the United States
government.
Now, Therefore, I, Susan Marie Weber, Mayor of the City of
Palm Desert, California, Along With the Entire City Council, Do
Hereby Proclaim Thursday, March 26, 2015, as
Rusty Burns Day
in the City of Palm Desert and urge all residents to join me in
expressing our appreciation for his contributions and service to our
country, with our best wishes for many years of continued health and
success in the future.