Descendants of African-American Civil War veterans, other military veterans and a chorus of female re-enactors of distinction outfitted in traditional 19th century clothing, were among the many gathered around the African-American Civil War Memorial, to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Veterans Day.
“The event is to honor the African-American Civil War veterans, all other war veterans and even soldiers in Iraq now,” said Frank Smith, chairman of the African-American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation.
The ceremony, held yesterday at Vermont Avenue and U Streets, NW at 11 a.m., opened with a selection of the national anthem sung by Brandi Gardner, administrative assistant for the African-American Civil War Museum.
Following the national anthem, Smith addressed the crowd and expressed the historical importance of the event.
“This is the first Veteran’s day celebration since the Nov. 4th election of our first African-American president of the United States,” Smith said.
Smith discussed how the efforts of African-American Civil War veterans made it possible for the civil liberties African Americans enjoy today; specifically the victory of President-elect Barack Obama.
“These men stood up for America when America did not stand up for them,” Smith said.
The keynote speaker, Commander Saleem G. Abdul-Mateen, both Untied States Navy Retired and founding member of the Muslim American Veterans Association also addressed the importance of the struggle for civil rights that the fallen soldiers had endured and likened the African-American Civil War struggle to that of Barack Obama.
The female re-enactors of distinction then sung a medley of spiritual hymns that preceded the actual wreath-laying on the memorial.
Hari Jones, curator for the African-American Civil War Museum, initiated the wreath laying, calling all descendants to gather around the wreath.
“These 208,943 names on the wall were officially brought into an organization called the Bureau of United states colored troops and behind you are the known descendants of these soldiers,” Jones said. “We would like to encourage you to find your name on this wall of honor because statistically we are descendants of these known freedom fighters.”
Following his speech, the descendants of the African-American Civil War veterans laid the wreath on the memorial. Everyone in attendance then took hands and sung a chorus of
“We Shall Overcome.”
Melvin Horne, Boy Scouts of America Troop Leader for unit 1650, and a handful of Boy Scouts in attendance, laid an American flag on the African-American Civil War Memorial following the close of the ceremony.
“Three years ago, we started the tradition of riding our bikes to all the memorials in the D.C. area to honor veterans on Veterans Day,” Horne said.
Others in attendance enjoyed the reception offered by the African-American Civil War Museum following the day’s event.
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