Showing posts with label Military Veterans Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Military Veterans Day. Show all posts

Monday, November 11, 2013

African-Americans have fought for our freedoms since the founding of the Republic

African-Americans have fought for our freedoms 
since the founding of the Republic

By Kevin E. Dayhoff, Sunday, November 10, 2013

This is a longer version of an article that appeared in the Baltimore Sun November 8, 2013 for Veterans Day “Black Americans have fought for Republic since its founding [Eagle Archive]” By Kevin Dayhoff, Find the article here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-1110-20131108,0,7516674.story



This coming Monday, November 11, is Veteran’s Day. For many it is a day to pause and remember that the freedoms we enjoy have been paid for in full by the service in harm’s way by our country’s nearly 22 million military veterans.

According to the local Molleville Farm Post # 467 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, in 2008 9.2 million veterans were older than 64 years of age and 1.9 million were younger than 35.

In 2009, 1.5 million of our veterans were female, 1.1 million Hispanic and 2.3 million are African-American.

“If you study American history very closely, you will see that African-Americans have been stepping up to the plate to defend our nation since the founding of the Republic,” according to Brig. Gen. Linda Singh, 49, the recently appointed commander of the Maryland Army National Guard.

A month ago, on October 11, Singh was one of two keynote speakers at the 11th annual Carroll County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Branch # 7014 Freedom Fund Banquet in Westminster – along with U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings, D-Dist. 7.

Soon after Singh assumed the commander responsibilities in August, she appointed Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Beyard to serve as the Maryland Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major. Many know Beyard, who served twice in the Middle East between 2006 and 2012, as the Westminster city director of housing and preservation services.

Singh is the first African-American – and the first woman to assume the position of commander. “I did not rise to my current assignment by myself. I stood on the shoulders of giants. For much of America's history, one nagging fact of life for African American military members is that they were risking their lives for second­ class citizenship up to the time of the war in Vietnam…

“If you ask why they would do this the answer from most is that this is their country too and there was always a hope that the inequities of the time would be settled. During the Revolutionary War, a newly freed slave named Peter Salem joined the Massachusetts Militia as a condition of his freedom.  The folks were also known as Minutemen… During the American Civil War, 180,000 African Americans fought for the Union Army…”

“African-Americans have served in all of America's wars,” according to historian Jay Graybeal. He reported in research that he conducted for the Historical Society of Carroll County in the early 1990s, “Over 10,000 blacks served in the Continental Army and Navy forces; another 1,000 served with the British. Black seamen fought with great distinction at the critical Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

“The Federal government enlisted 178,975 blacks during the Civil War; 69,178 died during the conflict. Blacks were again called for service in World War I. Approximately 90 Carroll County men served in all-black U.S. Army units,” wrote Graybeal.

Another historian, Duane K. Doxzen, reported in his research for the Historical Society in the 1990s, “Although blacks had served in military units before the Civil War, it was this conflict that saw the enlistment of blacks in large numbers. A significant number of Carroll County free blacks and manumitted slaves enlisted in the United States Colored Troops. Most of these volunteers served in the Fourth Regiment U.S.C.T., a unit that had been formed around the volunteers from the two thousand black Baltimoreans who had aided in the fortification of the city amidst the panic of Robert E. Lee's northward incursion in 1863.

“We know at least fifty three blacks from Carroll County served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. Of this number seven were killed in action, died as the result of a wound inflicted in battle or died of disease. Seven others were discharged or mustered out with wounds or disabilities resulting from their service,” reported Doxzen.

“After the Civil War, the U.S. Congress allowed four colored regiments to be part of the United States Army...two cavalry and two infantry,” said Singh.

“Perhaps the most famous of those regiments was the l0th Cavalry. The soldiers of the regiment were nicknamed "Buffalo Soldiers" by Native
Americans because of the similarity of their hair to that of buffaloes.

“These soldiers fought Geronimo, bandits, bootleggers, Mexican revolutionaries and guarded the lives of American settlers who were occupying the West. The regiment fought alongside of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders during his attack on San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish American War.”

Singh observed, “The American Armed Forces were still largely segregated when World War II began in 1941. This did not stop African Americans from volunteering to serve their country….

“More than 966 African American aviators were trained at an isolated training complex at the Tuskegee Institute near the town of Tuskegee Alabama… Four hundred and fifty black fighter pilots under the command of Colonel (later Lieutenant General) Benjamin 0. Davis, Jr. fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily, and Europe…”

“While President Truman desegregated the Armed Forces in 1948, the civilian sector, especially in the south stubbornly grasped to segregation,” said Singh. “This did not stop African Americans from pursuing successful careers in the Armed Forces… Many African American women have made and are making successful careers in the American armed forces…

“Despite its historical flaws, the American Armed Forces has been a stellar example for personal achievement based on merit this is because, advancement, for the most part, is based upon what you do, not who you know….”

President John F. Kennedy said it best, “A nation reveals itself not only by the by the people it produces, but also by the people it honors, the people it remembers”.

Throughout history ordinary people have served in our extraordinary military and accomplished extraordinary things. For this we are eternally indebted and grateful.

And let’s not forget to say Happy Birthday Marines. November 10, 1775, is the official birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Westminster will honor Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, 4 p.m. at the Westminster Recreation and Parks Family Center, located in the old Longwell Armory, 11 Longwell Ave. The event is hosted by Carroll Post 31 American Legion.


When he is not reminiscing about serving in the Marines and whistling the “Marines’ Hymn,” “… from the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli…,” while raking leaves, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff (at) gmail.com. Semper Fi. 

+++++++++++++++
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
+++++++++++++++

Sunday, November 10, 2013

MD St Senator Joe Getty shares a few remarks in Manchester for Veterans Day


MD St Senator Joe Getty shares a few remarks in Manchester for Veterans Day
#KED #Westminster
People Getty-Joe Getty, Annual Veterans Day, Military Veterans Day, Military veterans, Carroll Co Dist Manchester, 

MD Senator Joe Getty speaks at Manchester Town Hall for Veterans Day Ceremonies

MD Senator Joe Getty speaks at Manchester Town Hall for Veterans Day Ceremonies
People Getty-Joe Getty, Annual Veterans Day, Military Veterans Day, Military veterans, Carroll Co Dist Manchester, 
#KED #Westminster

Monday, December 28, 2009

The Longwell Family Center in Westminster

The Longwell Family Center in Westminster

Flags fly proudly on Veterans Day at the Westminster Longwell Family Center – old Armory Building on Longwell Avenue in Westminster, Maryland on November 11, 2009. By Kevin Dayhoff

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/vk7gv or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/304004848/flags-fly-proudly-veterans-day-old-armory-building

[20091111 VetsDay] Annual Veterans Day, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos flag, Dayhoff photos Westminster, Flag, Military Veterans Day, Westminster Rec Family Center

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2009/12/longwell-family-center-in-westminster.html http://tinyurl.com/yanqzvt http://twitpic.com/vk7gv http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/304004848/flags-fly-proudly-veterans-day-old-armory-building

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Tumblr: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Carroll County has always paid tribute to the county's veterans


DAYHOFF: From early history to now, a tradition of local honor EAGLE ARCHIVE By Kevin Dayhoff Posted http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/3639/eaglearchive/ 11/22/09

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/qqi37

Carroll County has always paid tribute to the county's veterans — those who fight to preserve our liberties and way of life.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/ DAYHOFF From early history to now a tradition of honoring local veterans in Carroll Co MD http://tinyurl.com/ygcodse

See also: http://twitpic.com/qqi37 And “Law and order, Carroll style, used to include machine guns, grenade launchers and riot gear,” http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/3621/eaglearchive/

And “Hundreds attend Cartwright memorial in Union Bridge,” http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3641/dayhoff/

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

From early history to now a tradition of honoring local veterans in Carroll Co MD http://www.explorecarroll.com/ http://tinyurl.com/ygcodse http://twitpic.com/qqi37

@CarrollEagle DAYHOFF: From early history to now, a tradition of honoring local veterans http://tinyurl.com/ygcodse

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Flag at National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge National Historical Park - Kevin Dayhoff Nov. 12, 2009


Flag at Valley Forge National Memorial Arch

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/pgk58 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/243434803/flag-at-natl-memorial-arch-valley-forge-natl

The flag flies proud in the gray cold rainy weather at the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge National Historical Park.

According to the National Park Service, “The United States Memorial Arch, located at the intersection of Outerline Drive and Gulph Road, was erected to commemorate the arrival of General George Washington and his Continental Army into Valley Forge.”

Construction began on the arch in 1914 and it was dedicated on June 19, 1917.

Photo by Kevin Dayhoff November 12, 2009

[20091112 AB VF (33)cflagNatlMemArch] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/pgk58 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/243434803/flag-at-natl-memorial-arch-valley-forge-natl

Detail: [20091112 AB VF (33)dflagNatlMemArch] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/pgkxq or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/243441142/detail-flag-at-natl-memorial-arch-valley-forge

20091112 National Memorial Arch flag Annual Veterans Day, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos flag, Flag, History American, History American Revolutionary War, History Military, Military Veterans Day, Patriotism

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/flag-at-national-memorial-arch-in.html http://tinyurl.com/yap5b5j

~~~~~

Flag at National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge National Historical Park - Kevin Dayhoff Nov. 12, 2009

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Westminster to honor Veterans Day this Wednesday at 4 PM

Wednesday 11-11-2009: Honoring Veterans Westminster's Veteran's Day Ceremony will be held Wednesday, 4 p.m. at the City Recreation and Parks Family Center, Old Longwell Armory, 11 Longwell Ave.

Hosted by Carroll Post 31 American Legion, the event honors veterans.

Open to all. Call 410-857-7953 or 410-848-9071.

20091111 Westminster to honor Veterans Day this Wednesday at 4 PM

Annual Veterans Day, Current Events, Military Veterans Day, Westminster File community events
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Memorial Day: It is not the reporter…


Memorial Day: It is not the reporter…

May 24, 2009

At this point approximately 1.5 million men and women in uniform have fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. For me, I’m a free speech kind of guy and I do not give a rat’s ass if you are for, or against the war.... Just remember this....

To paraphrase a quote that is attributed to Zell Miller:

It is the Soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the preacher, who gives us freedom of religion.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who gives us freedom to assemble.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who gives us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier, not the politician, who gives us the right to vote.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who makes all of this possible, day after day after day!

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.

20090524 SDOSM Memorial Day: It is not the reporter…
20090524-D9000-in-the-sandb.gif

Camp Upshur USMCR 1972


Camp Upshur USMCR

We were awfully young...

Kevin E. Dayhoff, USMCR, Top Row - First Right
K Company, 4th Platoon, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Camp Upshur, Quantico, VA 11 June - 21 July 1972 USMCR

19720611 to 19720721c K Co 4th Platoon Quantico Vasm.jpg
19720000 FB SDOSM Camp Upshur Group Pic K Co USMCR
20090524 SDOSM 19720000 Camp Upshur Group Pic K Co USMCR

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art:
www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster:
www.westgov.net