This year’s Black History Exhibit, sponsored by the Friends of Dean Park, Inc., was extensive at the Winston County Library as it displayed local and nationally known African Americans who have served in the many wars keeping in mind the 2018 Black History Theme, African Americans in Times of War. The theme suggests that contemporary conditions, past and present, give us cause for critical pause in our studies and deliberations to consider the specific and unique issues faced by African Americans in times of war, according to Association for the Study of African American Life and History. (www.asalh.com)
There were displays of veterans and enlisted men and women who served in the following: Crispus Attucks who was the first African American to be killed in the American Revolutionary War during the Boston Massacre; One soldier who served in the American Civil War as a Union Soldier; two who served in France in World War I, Leroy Edwards and William James Eichelberger (both are from the Mt. Sinai Community); many served in World War II; a few served in Korean War, many served in the Vietnam War with 4 causalities from Louisville (Harry Greer, Bennie Houston, Walter Sherrod, Jr., William Steele) and many injured, including Billy Ray Metts who was being honored; 84 locals who served in Desert Storm who are honored with others in a monument at the Winston County Court House, many who served in the war on terrorism which continues. Also, on display are Secretary of State Colin Powell, the highest rank in civilian government ever held by an African-American and Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of state and National Security Advisor for George Bush.
Surprising, to many library visitors were the many four-star African American Generals of which the following were on display: General Daniel ‘Crappie’ James, a Tuskegee airman, General Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the first African American General - his son was General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. However, General Roscoe Robinson, Jr was the first African American four-star general. Lt. General Russel L. Honore’ on display was commander of Joint Task Force Katrina. On display, was Admiral Michelle Howard who was the first woman to become a four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy. She also made history as the first African American woman to captain a U.S. naval ship (1999). She is presently 2nd in charge of the Navy. Statute sets the total number of four-star officers allowed in each service. This is set at 7 four-star Army generals, 9 four-star Air Force generals, 2 four-star Marine generals, and 6 four-star Navy admirals. The rarity of blacks in the top ranks is apparent in that only one of the 38 four-star generals or admirals serving as of July 2008. Only 10 black men have ever gained four-star rank – five in the Army, four in the Air Force and one in the Navy, according to the Pentagon (this is the latest information this writer could find).
Also, new to many was the Rosie the Riveter display with a Louisville native, Marcella Eichelberger Turnipseed Hubbard who worked as a welder for 3 years at the shipyard in Sausalito, CA during World War II. (more will be written about her and other women during this Women History Month).
Honoree Billy Metts had an inspirational message to the audience at the reception in his honor. Since losing both his legs in the Vietnam Conflict, he has grown to know and experience that ‘handicap’ is only in the mind but not in his. He has accomplished what most amputees only dream of. Mr. Metts received resolutions from Mayor Will Hill, the Winston County Board of Supervisors and a Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 610. The Senate Resolution states, “Whereas, we can never repay our debt to the Veterans of the Vietnam conflict, but we must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to their memory, and we pause to honor a great Mississippian:”. It was signed by Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, Philip Gunn, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senator Jennifer B. Branning, District 18.
