County Executive Elrich Signs Executive Order To Rename Silver Spring Library After Tuskegee Airman Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee

For Immediate Release: Monday, February 28, 2022

On Monday, Feb. 28, the last day of Black History Month, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) Director Anita Vassallo, the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, the Tuskegee Airmen, members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, family members of Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, and others in ceremony to sign an executive order that will enable the County to rename the Silver Spring Library to the “Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library.”

“There is no better way for us to conclude Black History Month than by memorializing a Montgomery County resident who was an American hero, a trailblazing African American, and a man who lived an extraordinary life,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are renaming this building for Brig. Gen. McGee because of the example and opportunities he provided to the generations who followed in his footsteps. Thank you to Councilmember Jawando for championing this effort and to Department of General Services Director David Dise and MCPL Director Anita Vassallo for their support and efforts to quickly get all the work done to enable this renaming.”

"Brigadier General Charles E. McGee was a man of honor, integrity, and kindness,” said Councilmember Jawando. “It had been my great honor to get to know him and his family over the last 20 years. The General fought against racism and for equality his entire career and served as a mentor and role model to me and so many others in our County. I am proud we are able to honor his legacy and by announcing the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library. I want to thank County Executive Elrich for his partnership in this effort."

Brig. Gen. McGee, who passed away early this year at the age of 102, served as a fighter pilot and member of the 332nd Fighter Squadron, famously known as the “Tuskegee Airmen,” an all-Black unit in World War II, followed by 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 prioritized learning and engaging with young people and served as a role model to Montgomery County residents and Americans. He passed away peacefully at his home in Bethesda on Jan. 16.

View photos from the event here. A dedication ceremony for the building will be held later this year.

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Release ID: 22-129
Media Contact: Monika Hammer 240-463-2442
Link to Photos or Video: https://www.flickr.com/photos/montgomerycountymd/albums/72177720297025042
Categories: Library