ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - Herbert Thorpe, or Rome, lived through changes in his 86 years that most of us have to read about in history books.

Thorpe is one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen - a unit of black soldiers in the Army Air Corps who fought in World War II. Back then, though, there was nothing glamorous about it.

"Basic training even though the training units were segregated, we used the same facilities but separate times, separate places," says Thorpe.

In four days, Thorpe will travel to Washington, D.C., to see America's first black president take the oath of office - Commander-in-Chief of a military that, 60 years ago, segregated black soldiers like Herbert Thorpe, from white soldiers.

When Thorpe reflects on what he's going to witness Tuesday, he remembers a conversation a few years back with his then-100-year-old father.

"Things that a leader had to deal with a black person didn't have that kind of experience. I said 'yes they do'! They can do it just as well as anyone if they get the chance!"

President-Elect Barack Obama will get that chance Tuesday, as he takes the oath of office before millions of people. Tuskegee Airman Herbert Thorpe hopes the inauguration will inspire young blacks everywhere.

"I think that this should take away a lot of the negative feelings many many young black people have about the country and their ability to succeed in this country."