Retired Air Force Maj. Carrol S. Woods, 88 one of the Tuskegee Airmen passed last week after a battle with cancer. I was very saddened to learn of his passing. He was a very great man. He will truly be missed by all that knew and loved him. 

Last year I had the privilege and honor to meet this great man thanks to our mutual friend, Delta Airline pilot Rob Tate. Rob, his wife Minerva, Maj. Woods and I all traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to fly the Delta Airline Flight Simulator. It was an experience that I shall treasure for the rest of my life. 

Services for Maj. Woods were held on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Washington Chapel AME Church in Tuskegee Institute, with internment at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery. 

Maj. Woods was inducted into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor in 2006. He was the recipient of a Congressional Gold medal in April of this year. His wife preceded him in death in 1988. His son, Carrol S. Woods Jr., 57 survives him, one brother, James Woods of Detroit, Michigan. Five grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family members also survive him. 

Maj. Woods’ plane was shot down while he was flying a combat mission over Greece in October 1944. He was held as a prisoner of war until General George Patton saved him when his army reached the prisoner of war camp in 1945. Maj. Woods flew in the 99^th fighter squadron of the 332^nd fighter group. He flew more than 100 missions before he retired from the Air Force.

 May God rest his soul! 

In the words of my dad: “Stay away from the pig ears and fried pork chops.  Eat more fruits and vegetables.”