Photo By Sgt. Charles Santamaria | Warrant Officer Stephanie Nicole Greenleaf, food service operations officer. "My step...... read more read more
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The story behind Black History Month began in the late summer of 1915. Carter G. Woodson, an alumnus of the University of Chicago, participated in the 15th Anniversary celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, sponsored by the state of Illinois, in Washington D.C.
Exhibits presented at the celebration highlighted the progress African-Americans have made since then.
Inspired by the three-week celebration in Washington D.C., Woodward, along with several associates and fellow alumni, popularized the celebration of what they called "Negro Appreciation Week."
Going forward, the week-long event would inspire people to educate themselves on black history, according to the official Association for the study of African American Life and History website.
During the 1960s, a growing interest in the study and celebration of African-American history had a notable impact on the country.
The then one-week celebration was well on its way to becoming the month-long Black History Month that the country recognizes and celebrates to this day. By the late 1960s, African-American students on college campuses throughout the U.S. became more conscious of their history and embraced the mantle of remembrance, according to the official Association for the study of African American Life and History website.
With The start of World War II, the U.S. military put aside the differences surrounding race and African-Americans were able to serve in the United States Armed Forces. After 167 years of operation, the Marine Corps opened its doors to African-Americans who wanted to enlist, June 1, 1942.
The first class of recruits reported to Montford Point, a piece of land on Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 26, 1942. By October of that year, only 600 of those recruits began training. The first African-American Marine to enlist was Howard P. Perry, according to the official Leatherneck Magazine website.
It wasn’t until the Korean War that African-American Marines were able to serve in all military operations and major military conflicts.
On Oct. 22, 1952, Frank E. Peterson Jr., blazed a trail for all African-American Marines by receiving a commission as the first African-American Marine aviation officer. Peterson deployed in support of the Korean War in 1953, flying more than 60 combat missions. Before the Korean War finally came to an end, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and six other air medals for his valor in aerial combat, according to African-American Registry.org.
Today, African-American Marines continue to raise the bar and lead the Marine Corps.
One such leader is Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, who assumed the post of 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps April 25, 2007, and served in that capacity until June 9, 2011. He was also the recipient of the General Gerald C. Thomas Award for Inspirational Leadership, according to the Marines.mil website.
In the Marine Corps, African-Americans serve proudly alongside Marines of all races and religions. Remembering the progress and sacrifice they made to make racial equality possible is no small task. In the month of February, we remember.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2014 20:19 |
| Story ID: | 120234 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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