SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Silver Spring Public Library will soon be known as the Brigadier General Charles McGee Library at Silver Spring, in honor of the Tuskegee Airman and longtime Montgomery County resident.
County Executive Marc Elrich signed an executive order allowing the name change to move forward on Monday, in a ceremony with Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Anita Vassallo, Montgomery County Department of General Services Director David Dise, the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, the National President of the Tuskegee Airmen, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., family members of Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, and others
Jawando sent a letter to Elrich earlier in February suggesting the name change.
"Brig. Gen. McGee served in the all-black Tuskegee Airmen unit in World War II, followed by completing 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 has always prioritized learning and engaging with young people and serves as a role model to so many Montgomery County residents and Americans," Jawando wrote in his letter.
"It would be fitting that one of our largest county libraries - a place where we learn about history and also seek to better ourselves - be named after a man of such great honor."
Soon after receiving the letter, Elrich said he is in favor of the move.
"I support this action and will work to make it happen as quickly as possible," Elrich said in an email newsletter.
McGee lived in Montgomery County for 30 years and died in January, just shy of his 103rd birthday.
There's no word yet on when the name change would take effect.