CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – I Am Invisible Bullying & Suicide Youth brought a special guest to Clarksville Saturday as retired Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson, a WWII veteran, spoke at Austin Peay State University.
The youth benefit luncheon was titled “A Glance into History” and Jefferson, who is 98 years old, shared his story of proudly serving his country while facing repeated racism.
Jefferson was a member of the historic and highly decorated Tuskegee Airmen. The famed group of African-American pilots flew P51 Mustangs in WWII with the 332nd “Red Tail” Fighter Group in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He was shot down over France during a mission in 1944 and parachuted to safety. He was quickly captured and spent nine months in a German POW camp until the end of the war.
“Basically what we do is we like to bring awareness to bullying and suicide and also empower kids, teens, and young adults, to be who they were created to be,” said Ellery Edward, husband of I Am Invisible’s founder, Sharon Edwards. “To be themselves, to love themselves, and be true to themselves. Be you, love you and be true to you,” said Edwards.
To learn more about I Am Invisible Bullying & Suicide or to show your support, visit iminvisiblebullying.com.