I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I enlisted in 1972 during the Viet Nam war. As a result of my service I was placed in Harms Way, twice in Panama, in 1976. In one instance if it were not for a woman I had been dating I would have been killed. The other was a mission I was part of which envolved the troops training to take over the Panama Canal, if President Carter had not agreed to turn control of the Canal to Panama. Had I been caught, I'm sure I would have been tortured and possibly executed.
I want to make it known, that not every miltary person is trained to kill for their country, but all are trained to die for their country.
Every where I go and it is established that I am a veteran, I am greeted with a resounding, thanks for your service. It makes me feel proud and I don't mind risking my life. But there is one segment of this country that I don't seem to get this greeting, in fact, I get a feeling that my service was not appreciated at all. Those people are African Americans. In fact I can't recall ever being told thank you for your service by any Black person other than fellow veterans, family and close friends.
If there are a people who owe a debt of gratitude, to their veterans it is the African American community.
African Americans have served in every war this country has had. In the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 . particulary in the battle of New Orleans, African Americans fought while they were still slaves.
In the Civil War more than 180,000 African Americans fought on the side of the Union. It was the bravery and courage of those troops that allowed for the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments.
It was the Black Calvary troops that protected settlers in the west and their reputation lives today as a result of the Buffalo Soldiers and is still an active regiment in the U.S. Army the 9th Calvary.
In World War I France actively recruited African Americans for service and introduced African American culture to the world.
In World War II,one of the first heroes of the war was Doris Miller, my personal hero, the Tuskegee Airmen, the 761 Tank Battalion, The crew of the destroyer escort the Mason. Because of Black men and women in uniform, the United States could no longer deny Blacks equal rights and lead directly to acceptance of the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's.
During Viet Nam it was a common sight to see African American troops fighting in every living room in the country on TV. There was no way President Johnson could deny signing the civil rights acts of 1964 which lead finally, to the basic freedoms African Americans enjoy today.
There is a direct coalition of military conflicts and the bravery and dedication of African Americans in the military and African American progress in this country. I truly believe that African American troops in both Gulf wars lead to the belief that a person of African decent could be trusted as Commander and Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
African Americans owe a great debt to black Military, not only did they fight and die to preserve the United States of America, they fought and died so that American society would realize that we are a brave and courageous people. We have earned the right to be called Americans.
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