LIMA, Ohio (AP) - A statue honoring a former member of the Tuskegee Airmen and native of northwestern Ohio is being planned at the Allen County Airport.

The Lima News reports (http://bit.ly/1XHAc8S ) that a group committed to preserving the memory of Lima's own Lt. Col. Charles Williams Sr. has raised an undisclosed amount of money to go toward the $30,000 black-granite statue.

Project coordinator Stephen Carter says he's unsure how much money has been raised since the project was announced in August, but he believes it to be "quite a bit."

Carter says there's no deadline for raising the funds.

The Tuskegee Airmen, the first black pilots in the United States military, served during World War II.

Manager Ryan Huizinga says the airport is looking to acquire more Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia.

Information from: The Lima News, http://www.limanews.com

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