Meeting Ossie Davis

Over many years I have been lucky to meet a few famous people and I will try my best to share my experiences. The first famous person that I personally had a chance to meet was the legend and giant Mr. Ossie Davis, a legend on stage,the screen (television & movies), a philanthropist,humanitarian,activist so many titles befitting he and his wife a equal legend, Ruby Dee.

The year I met Ossie Davis was in 1984. And in fact it was really my brother who spotted him. The last thing I'd expect to see was a Hollywood star in this small airport in Hampton Virginia. The Airport if memory serves me correctly was Patrick Henry. And Mr. Davis must have been traveling incognito. My brother ran back to me. I was all dressed up in Air Force class uniform. In fact I'd just graduated from boot-camp on Lackland and I was a new Security Specialist (Air Force Security Police) fresh out of the academy. And now I was headed overseas to Germany to serve God and my country.

And now thinking back to that time in Virginia still brings back wonderful memories. Though sadly the world lost Ossie Davis. I am glad even for the brief moments I was able to meet him. In fact just to lend a bit of perspective. I was in Washington State when I read the play "A Raisin in the Sun." The year was 1977. Little could I dream that I'd be meeting one day one of its classic characters that has made it a normal part of school room curriculum for most school boy and girls.

That day in 1984 after my brother got my attention I set out in that airport to find Ossie Davis. It did not take long. When I mentioned giant I do not exaggerate. Mr. Davis was a giant guy. It makes me think about The Reverend Jackson also a giant man too. Ossie was sitting down. Since it was in December or thereabouts he had on his coat and a kangol type hat pulled down over his face probably to shield him for privacy. I am sure he was resting waiting for his airplane. And I am sure I probably surprised him also when I came up to him in my uniform with my security police badge proudly hanging from my uniform.

Since I am aware that sometimes many people look like a famous person I just wanted to make sure I had the right person. Even standing tall and proud that day I almost stumbled with my words when I introduced myself to the movie star and he put me at ease when he introduced himself as THE Ossie Davis. My mouth almost dropped open. I told him that my mother was a the airport with my family and she'd be honored if he'd take a picture with us. Mr. Davis told me that would be fine and to go get my mother. I quickly went back to tell my mother. She also was in shock that Ossie Davis was really here in the Big VA in this airport in Hampton. And she was too scared to get up. She gave me the camera and told me to go get everybody and take a picture with Mr. Davis.

And so when I heard of Mr. Davis untimely passing doing the thing he loved acting. I felt like I had lost a friend and a teacher (thinking back to all the academic things of he and his wife). And I called my family and I sent copies of the picture that we all have and that is only in the possession the Ossie Davis Family sent to them by me. I often look back at it. And still smile and think about shaking hands with Ossie and then flying off to Deutschland to make more history as I saw the Cold War come to an end and how so many people were escaping to the west that finally the guards started escaping and finally Gorbachev brought the wall down.

Well meeting Ossie Davis ranks with that part of history in my book. In later years I'd meet another great legend Jack Palance and my other superstars. But in 1984 I will never forget that happy day of meeting and talking to Ossie Davis. I hold the entire Ossie Davis family in the highest esteem. I hope to one day meet Ruby Dee and perhaps the rest of the family.