"Every colored pilot in the 99th went through his private hell to wear those wings. Each of those men carries not only the dream of becoming American Military Aviators but the hopes of an entire people as well. Am I the only one here that understands what that means? I was brought up to believe that beneath it all Americans are a decent people with an abiding sense of integrity and fair play. The cheers I heard across this country when Joe Louis and Jesse Owens humiliated Hitler's "Master Race" didn't just come from proud colored folks. They came from everyone. How are we to interpret that? As a United States Army Officer who gladly puts his life on the line every day there's no greater conflict within me. How do I feel about my country? And how does my country feel about me? Are we only to be Americans when the mood suits you?"