x
Breaking News
More () »

Silver Spring Library will soon be named in honor of Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando submitted the request for the name change and Marc Elrich signed an executive order Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Silver Spring Public Library will soon be known as the Brigadier General Charles McGee Library at Silver Spring, in honor of the Tuskegee Airman and longtime Montgomery County resident.

County Executive Marc Elrich signed an executive order allowing the name change to move forward on Monday, in a ceremony with Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Anita Vassallo, Montgomery County Department of General Services Director David Dise, the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, the National President of the Tuskegee Airmen, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., family members of Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, and others

Jawando sent a letter to Elrich earlier in February suggesting the name change.

"Brig. Gen. McGee served in the all-black Tuskegee Airmen unit in World War II, followed by completing combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He fought against racism and for equality his entire career and paved the way for many African American service members. A Montgomery County resident for many years, Brig. Gen. McGee has always prioritized learning and engaging with young people and serves as a role model to so many Montgomery County residents and Americans," Jawando wrote in his letter. 

"It would be fitting that one of our largest county libraries - a place where we learn about history and also seek to better ourselves - be named after a man of such great honor."

Soon after receiving the letter, Elrich said he is in favor of the move.

"I support this action and will work to make it happen as quickly as possible," Elrich said in an email newsletter.

McGee lived in Montgomery County for 30 years and died in January, just shy of his 103rd birthday.

There's no word yet on when the name change would take effect.

RELATED: Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee dead at 102

RELATED: It's official: Chadwick Boseman's name goes up on Howard University building

WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out