America owes African-Americans meaningful recognition, for their Dedication and Patriotism. America owes these men and women full honors and total respect for all they have suffered and endured. They endured relentless Insult, racism, discrimination, segregation, prejudice and disdain in uniform and out.

Soldiers of African descent have been left out of America’s historic documentary War films about World War I, World War II, and Korea. Most of the films on the Vietnam War rarely show the participation of ebony soldiers even today the Iraq war coverage often leaves out African-American Soldiers. America is neither mindful nor appreciative of the significant contributions made by those of African descent to her wars.

This nation owes a double tribute to honor those of African descent who died or were wounded while serving a nation that detest, disrespect and abhorred their presence. African-American men and women continuously served honorably during WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam; displaying courage and fortitude while facing racism, hatred and danger. The men and women of African descent deserve the nation’s highest honor it awards it citizens who have performed impressively over coming hurdles and adversities.

The hurdles and adversities for African-Americans have always been racism, discrimination, prejudice, hatred and segregation. They have confronted disparities while serving in the United States military only to return home to more of the same. African-American veterans deserve to be recognized, honored and praised for their valor and tenacity while serving under cruel and severe conditions. These men and women pledged allegiance to a country that holds no allegiance to them.

My family knows first hand the pledge of allegiance to America: my grandfather, John Strayhorn served in World War I and sustained injury. His son, my uncle, James Strayhorn, served in the Korean War, and was seriously wounded nearly losing his legs. My father Leon Dancy, while serving in the Navy during the Korean War, also, sustained injury. In 1969 I was severely wounded in Vietnam and nearly bleed to death. Within the African-American community most families can recite a legacy of honorable and courageous military service.

Please join me in my efforts to bring honorable recognition to the role that African-American men and women had in all of America’s Wars, skirmishes, and conflicts. The truth must be recognized. It has been neglected nationally and not sufficiently documented and sparingly publicized.

Here is what you must do: write and call your Congressional representative and U.S. Senator, and urge them to introduce a bill and a resolution that would specifically recognize and honor the role and contributions of African-American men and women in all of America’s wars, skirmishes, and conflicts.

Tell your elected officials that these people of African descent deserve recognition and honor because they served under extremely harsh and adverse conditions. (For additional details, read Serving Under Averse Conditions, by Tyrone T. Dancy).

Tell your friends , relatives, neighbors and co-workers to urge their friends, relatives, church, club and organizations we must raise a crusade to have these Ebony Men and Women Honored. Write or call your elected officials: Senator c/o the U.S. Senate, Washington D.C. 20510, and Congressional Representative c/o the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington D.C. 20515. To contact them by phone, call the Capitol switch board at 202-224-3121; ask to be connected to your representative’s office.

Please join me in encouraging the following organizations to rally for a Yearly National Day of recognition for African American veterans. These Men and Women deserve the Congressional medal and the Congressional Achievement Award should be given to these notable citizen soldiers for obtaining exceptional results against organized hostile forces. Bring this to the attention of the following Organizations:

1. Blacks in Government, 1820 11th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001  (202) 667-3280
2. Congressional Black Caucus, 1632 Longworth Building Washington. DC 20515
3. Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), 30 Cooper Square New York, NY 10003
4. Joint Center for Political Studies (A think tank and lobbying arm for ideas on African-American culture and life), 1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005
5. Leadership Conference On Civil Rights, 1200 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20005
6. NAACP, 4805 Mount Hope Drive Baltimore, MD 21215  (410)358-8900
7. National Bar Association, 1225 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
8. The National Urban League, Inc. 500 East 62nd Street New York, NY 10021
9. National Association For black Veterans, Inc. PO Box 11432 Milwaukee, WI 53211

Ask these organizations to support the objective of a National Day of Honor for African-American veterans and the awarding of the Congressional Medal and the Congressional Achievement Award to be given to these notable citizen soldiers.

Also read the article “African-American Soldiers Serving Under Adverse Conditions”, by Tyrone T. Dancy.

Point of Note:
During the 11 th anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Braintrust, Tyrone was presented with the 1999 Congressional Black Caucus Braintrust Award. The award is in recognition of his exemplary national and community service on behalf of the country’s African-American veterans.

Copyright © 2000 Tyrone T. Dancy, All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission from the author.