Columbiana, Ala. - When he looked back on his life before he passed away, Colonel Harry Ford said he had one regret -- the fact that he had grown too old to serve the military on active duty.

Monday, Ford's legacy was celebrated by the Shelby County Commission, which gave Ford a posthumous honor as part of Black History Month.  Ford's widow, Barbara, accepted a historic photo of her husband's comrades.  Ford was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen.

"It's very moving because my husband totally believed in what he did," Ms. Ford said.  "And he loved every minute of his service."

Jim Griffin, director of the Southern Museum of Flight, and a long-time friend of Ford, recalled driving to Tuskegee with Ford once a year.  Griffin snapped one of the final photos of Ford during their last trip to Tuskegee, the veteran beaming with pride while standing next to a beautifully preserved plane.  Griffin agreed to the use of the photo for this story.

Ford passed away in February of 2009 at the age of 89.  He had retired in Maylene and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors.

His widow beamed with pride Monday as she looked at the photo of his fellow service members and recalled the enthusiasm and patriotism displayed by her husband.

"He would have loved this honor, and I wish he were here to hear and see what people really think of the Tuskegee Airmen," Ms. Ford said Monday.  "It's just a privilege for me to be here to stand in his place for him."

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