Last week, the echoes from Veterans Day were still vibrating off U Street as families, descendants, students, and supporters gathered at the African American Civil War Memorial to honor the legacy of the United States Colored Troops. What began as a single day of remembrance continued as a deep community reflection. A crowd revisited the names, stories, and sacrifices of more than 200,000 soldiers who fought for a nation that did not fight for them.
Frank Smith, executive director of the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, envisioned something unprecedented for this year’s commemoration: the first-ever simultaneous reading of every USCT soldier’s name. Communities answered his call. People traveled from Philadelphia, Tennessee, Illinois, and beyond to honor their ancestors or to stand in solidarity and witness history.
The ceremony opened with a moving presentation of colors by members of George Mason University’s Eight Green Machine Regiment Band. Then, for hours, the air filled with the sound of names read by veterans, families, students, and descendants. It became a collective breath with each name lifting a story back into the light.
Speakers Jan Adams and Larry Spencer, both Air Force veterans, offered reflections on the courage, character, and determination of USCT soldiers. Their remarks connected the past to the present, reminding the crowd that service and sacrifice remain a throughline in Black military history.
Source: Echoes Of Freedom: A Week Of Reflection At The African American Civil War Memorial
Recent Comments