I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Parks and her husband in 1956 while stationed at Gunther AFB, AL. Gunther was just a few miles outside of Montgomery, AL.

I met her through student friends I had at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio who were from Montgomery. They mentioned me to her as a good A.M.E. from Ohio and that I was stationed at Gunther.

Her church, St. Paul A.M.E., carried the same name as an A.M.E. Church founded in Urbana, OH (1824) by some of my ancestors. We both thought that connection was intriguing.

The church and Mrs. Parks in particular were very warm and receptive to this 20+ year old during his time spent in Motngomery despite their troubles at that time. I will never forget their grace, gentleness and Southern Hospitality.

I was stationed in AL from Feb through Jul of 1956, during the time of the bus boycott. Never before, or since, have I seen such unity of purpose as displayed by the "boycotters' of Montgomery, AL. They were together!!!!