Finally, Recognition for Our Men's Military Contribution to the Country

“Always Remember”

African American Soldiers

Members of the Montford Point Marines attend a presentation ceremony of the Congressional Gold Medal at the Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor's Center June 27, 2012 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Montford Point Marines was recognized for being the nation's first African-American Marines who received basic training at Montford Point Camp, New River, N.C. from 1942 to 1949, and their services to the country. (Alex Wong, Getty Images)

United States Marines 
It's been a long-time coming, but finally, the first African-American to serve in the Marines are honored by the country on June 27, 2012. These men served in a racist, segregated military system. Stalwart men who were subjected to verbal abuse and punitive training; they make us so very proud. African Americans are survivors who, with great stamina, have endured and overcome some of the most inhumane treatment imaginable in a nation that pretends there is freedom for all. There are 400 living today. Considering the shorter life span of African American males in America, it's great that these men are still with us to be honored. View the video...Political Punch with Jake Tapper. (Just for fun, check out a tear-less John Boehner's face as he holds the Congressional Gold Medal with, 1st Sergeant, Jack McDowell. Is he uncomfortable or is it just my imagination?)

United States Air Force 
In March 2007, the brave Tuskegee Airmen were similarly honored by President Bush. The President acknowledged the "unforgiveable indignities" these men suffered, while courageously serving for an unashamedly racist country. Ray Suarez of PBS covered this momentous occasion. Back in the sixties, a friend who had enlisted in the Air Force, told the story of his experience on the Air Force's base in Dayton, Ohio in the early 1960s. While showering, some of the guys would surreptitiously stare at him. After several of these incidents, he confronted one of them, and asked "What the h--- are you looking at"? Believe it or not, the guy said he was "looking for your tail." Yes, that's a true story.
                                                                                                          
This article by Elissa Haney in infoplease.com gives us an historical perspective on African Americans in the military                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
A little more history on African Americans in the military...
Blacks in the American Revolutionary War

Agrippa Hull

In addition to the well-known Crispus Attucks, thousands of Black soldiers and sailors served in the American Revolutionary War. They fought on the British side as well as on the side of the colonies. Some were free Blacks, and many were slaves. When the ranks of White soldiers diminished to dangerous numbers making the colonies vulnerable, a desperate George Washington recruited men "of all colors". Historian Robert A. Selig, PhD, details Lord Dunmore of Virginia's Royal Ethiopian Regiment.  Read more... On the left is a portrait of Agrippa Hull, a soldier who served in George Washington's American Continental Army and received the badge of honor. Hull was attached by General George Washington to serve with military Polish engineer, Tadeuz Kosciuszko.

Image Credit" The Newport Historical Society (P999)

This portrait on the right of an unidentified American Revolutionary War sailor was painted in oil by an unknown artist, circa 1780. Prior to the war, many blacks were already experienced seamen, having served in the British navy and in the colonies' state navies, as well as on merchant vessels in the North and the South. This sailor's dress uniform suggests that he served in the navy, rather than with a privateer. from PBS web site on the Black Revolutionary Seamen

I conclude with this poem, "Strong Men" by Sterling Brown as a tribute to our strong Black men.

Strong Men

They dragged you from the homeland, They chained you in coffles, 

They huddled you spoon-fashion in filthy hatches, 

They sold you to give a few gentlemen ease.
They broke you in like oxen, They scourged you, They branded you, 

They made your women breeders, They swelled your numbers with bastards.. 

They taught you the religion they disgraced
You sang: 

Keep a-inchin' along 

Lak a po' inch worm…

You sang: 

By and Bye 

I'm gonna lay down this heaby load…

You sang: 

Walk togedder, chillen, 

Dontcha git weary… 

The strong men keep a-comin' on 

The strong men get stronger.

They point with pride to the roads you built for them, 

They ride in comfort over the rails you laid for them. 

They put hammers in your hands 

And said-Drive so much before sundown.

You sang: 

Ain't no hammah 

In dis lan' 

Strikes lak mine, bebby, 

Stikes lak mine.

They copped you in their kitchens, 

They penned you in their factories, 

They gave you the jobs that they were too good for, 

They tried to guarantee happiness to themselves 

By shunting dirt and misery to you....

You sang: 

Me an' muh baby gonna shine, shine 

Me an' muh baby gonna shine. 

The strong men keep a-comin' on 

The strong men git stronger. . . .

They bought off some of your leaders 

You stumbled, as blind men will. . . . 

They coaxed you, unwontedly soft-voiced. . . . 

You followed a way. 

Then laughed as usual. 

They heard the laugh and wondered; 

Uncomfortable; 

Unadmitting a deeper terror. . . . 

The strong men keep a-comin' on 

Gittin' stronger. . . .

What, from the slums 

Where they have hemmed you 

What, from the tiny huts 

They could not keep from you - 

What reaches them 

Making them ill at ease, fearful? 

Today they shout prohibition at you 

"Thou shalt not this." 

"Thou shalt not that." 

"Reserved for whites only" 

You laugh.

One thing they cannot prohibit - 

The strong men . . . coming on 

The strong' men gittin' stronger. 

Strong men. . . . 

Stronger. . . .

Written by Sterling A. Brown (1901-1989

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