Img Source: Historical / Getty
May 28, 2024 Story by: Editor
In Jackson, Michigan, community members and leaders converged at the African American Veterans Memorial Garden to commemorate Memorial Day in a special ceremony.
The event commenced with a heartfelt prayer led by a local pastor, setting a solemn tone for the occasion. Mayor Daniel Mahoney shared poignant words, emphasizing the profound impact of military service on families: “When you go into service, you don’t go out alone. That family member, that wife, that husband, those children who stay behind, they are serving right along with you.”
Taking charge of the proceedings was Diane Washington, underscoring the event’s mission to shed light on the often overlooked history of black soldiers. Washington expressed the importance of educating people about the contributions of African American veterans: “We want to make sure our people know about their history. The history of our colored troops. The history of our African American veterans that have served and all of the wonderful things that they have brought to our country.”
Linda Hass of the Jackson County Historical Society shared insights into the remarkable contributions of notable black veterans from Jackson, underscoring their role in securing the freedoms enjoyed today.
During the ceremony, Jerome Washington, himself a veteran, honored several veterans and their families with portraits as tokens of appreciation for their service. Among those recognized was Master Sergeant Katrina Johnson, serving in the Air Force Reserve, who emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices of past veterans: “You don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you come from. You have to know who has come [and] who has paid the ultimate sacrifice.” Source: Yahoo News
Diane Washington reiterated the commitment to honoring veterans whose stories have often been overlooked, stating, “Many of our veterans have not been honored in the past, and we want to make sure we honor our veterans as well…we’re here to stand up and help our veterans look strong and be strong just like they are and have been.”
