McGee, Lanphier Recognized During State of the Union Address

Iain Lanphier, the Scottsdale, Arizona 8th-grader who attended the State of the Union Address Tuesday night, got a standing ovation as Trump introduced him. Iain has already distinguished himself after attending the 2019 Phoenix Aerospace Career Education (ACE) program, sponsored by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. But he also comes from a distinguished line of trailblazers. 

Also in attendance at the Address was 100-year-old Charles McGee, one of the last survivors of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, and Iain’s great=grandfather.

“Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one century ago,” Trump said. “After more than 130 combat missions in World War II, he came back to a country still struggling for Civil Rights and went on to serve America in Korea and Vietnam.”

Trump noted that he had signed a bill several weeks before to give McGee an honorary promotion to brigadier general.

“We were incredibly excited to see Iain and his great grandfather recognized at last night’s State of the Union Address,” said OBAP Board Chair, Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison. “It’s such a joy to celebrate the legacy of General McGee, and to recognize his incredible contributions to the aerospace industry. But even more so, it was a proud moment as our nation got a glimpse of the brilliance and promise of the hundreds of thousands of students like Iain who represent the future of our profession. From our vantage point, the future is very bright, and we’re so honored to be a part of what that future looks like.” 

Learn more about the Aerospace Career Education (ACE) program