On November 26, 2018 Keyser named a park in honor of Tuskegee Airman veteran Clifton Eugene Brooks, Sr.
Clifton Brooks Sr., a veteran of World War II, was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American pilots and other Army Air Corps soldiers who played an integral part in the second World War.
Brooks wasn’t a pilot, but a cryptographer entrusted with codes, and was given a pistol to use if he was in danger of being captured. “I wasn’t supposed to use it on the Germans,” he said.
Because of his heroic service to his country, the mayor of Keyser, Damon Tillman, made it his mission to recognize Brooks.
“The city has never recognized him,” Tillman said. “He’s been recognized by the White House, he’s been recognized by the newspaper, but the city never has. And it was my opportunity to recognize Mr. Brooks and his family.” There will be a bronze plaque that will have a picture of Clifton Brooks, and it will mention his work with the Tuskegee Airmen.
Son Mick Brooks stands by the park sign honoring his father
Read Clifton Brooks story in Profiles of Tuskegee Airmen