By Theresa Williams
Herald Contributor
For the benefit of African American veterans who may have been overlooked and taken for granted as they served our country that denied them the rights that we now take for granted, they had their day of honor and respect.
This Veterans Day, November 11, the African American Senior Veteran’s Day Celebration was held the morning of November 11 or Veterans Day, at New Prospect Baptist Church on Summit Road in Roselawn. The theme was “Stay the Course,” with the event beginning with a bang, with a 21-gun salute, special singing, and the Pledge of Allegiance; followed by a full hot breakfast and program with special Marine Corp vet Robert B. Middleton, II of Montford Point Marines (MPAM). Lincoln Ware, local radio show icon, and veteran Marine, along with J.C. Battle and brothers, local morticians, and former military morticians were honored at the event. Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. of New Jerusalem Baptist Church gave the invocation.
Founder of the African American Senior Veteran’s Day Celebration, Michelle Y. Graves, known as “The Money Lady,” former Ohio Women’s Hall of Famer and local businesswoman, had this to say about the event:
“We can’t thank these men enough for fighting for our rights, and some even giving their lives for the freedoms we now enjoy as Americans. I hope this event brings as much joy to them as it has to me to be able to produce this for them.”
This veterans’ only event was free and open to African American veterans age 65 and over.
