(Photos by Andrew Mather, digitalBURG) James Shipley, an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen, was presented a flag Friday during a Veterans Day program at Warrensburg High School.

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) – Students, teachers, airmen and others packed the Warrensburg High School gymnasium Friday to honor a special guest during a Veterans Day ceremony.

James Shipley, of Tipton, Mo., a World War II veteran and original member of the Tuskegee Airmen, was honored during a flag-presentation ceremony.

Shipley was a crew chief with the 332^nd Fighter Group and served in Europe. He was 19 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first black military airmen in the United States. They trained in Tuskegee, Ala., where some 1,000 black pilots graduated from 1941 to 1946.

Members of the Whiteman Air Force Base Color Guard presented Shipley with a folded American flag.

Students stand in honor of those who have served our country during the Veterans Day ceremony.

The WAFB Color Guard unfolded the flag, presented it to the audience, and then folded it back up before presenting it to Mr. Shipley.

A member of the Color Guard salutes the flag after presenting it to Mr. Shipley.

WHS students, from left, Dustin Nevels, Malacai Collins and Austin Fick stand with Mr. Shipley.