Many African-Americans who grew up in the segregation era never thought they would see a black president in their lifetimes.

Count Paul Adams among them.

“I sure didn’t think I would” said the 89-year-old Lincoln man.

President of the United States represented just one of many jobs once off limits to black people.

Flying an airplane was another.

More than six decades ago, Adams helped end that stereotype when he joined the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black pilots and support crew who served valiantly in World War II.

Many historians say the distinguished record of the first black fighter squadrons helped pave the way for the Civil Rights movement, which in turn made it possible for Barack Obama to run for president.

So it’s no coincidence that Obama has invited Adams and the other 330 surviving Tuskegee Airmen to his Jan. 20 inauguration.

“I think it’s great,” Adams said of the president’s gesture.

His health is good so Adams said he would like to go to Washington, D.C., if arrangements can be made.

The biggest challenge will involve finding accommodations — no hotel rooms are available within 50 miles of the nation’s capital during the event, according to news reports.

Rodney Moore of Bennet is a retired Army colonel and president of the Paul Adams Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. He said he is working to secure a room for Adams and a guest — most likely his son — to attend the inauguration.

This week, he was waiting to hear back from Andrews Air Force Base in Washington about whether it could provide lodging.

He estimated travel, accommodations and meals for two would cost roughly $2,000. The local chapter wants to raise money to cover the costs, Moore said.

“President Obama … has given them an honored position right below the podium,” Moore said. “It shows a lot of gratitude for what they’ve done.”

What Adams and the other Tuskegee Airmen did was pilot aircraft in combat with collective success that matched or exceeded white aviators.

The roughly 1,000 pilots who trained at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute flew 15,000 missions in North Africa and Europe, destroying 260 enemy aircraft. The pilots’ stellar reputations as bomber escorts earned them the nickname “guardian angels.”

And they flew in the face of some Army leaders who believed blacks lacked the intelligence, courage and skill to fly in combat.

Several other Tuskegee Airmen live in Omaha, but Moore said he was uncertain if they plan to attend the inauguration.

After the war, Adams re-enlisted in the Air Force and served for 20 years as a supply and intelligence officer, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The Air Corps he joined in 1942 was segregated; the Air Force he left in 1963 was integrated.

In 1964, he embarked on his second career as an industrial arts teacher at Lincoln High School. He retired from the school in 1982.

Adams has received high honors in his 89 years, including the Congressional Gold Medal and having a Lincoln elementary school named after him.

An invitation to the inauguration of America’s first black president is special.

He hopes he can make it to Washington next month.

If he does, he’ll get to witness the impossible.

Again.

Reach Joe Duggan at 473-7239 or jduggan@journalstar.com.