This Veterans Day, we honor those who have sworn to protect our rights and liberties. We pay homage to those who have served and those who continue to serve.
Thank you for your service.
Veterans Day originated from Armistice Day, which commemorated the first anniversary of World War I (November 11, 1919). Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
Veterans didn’t always come home to open arms. In fact, they often dealt with neglect, physical violence, and social humiliation. Despite this, they persisted and continued to serve our nation, fighting to protect our freedoms and uphold our constitutional rights, including the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
U.S. history & culture is filled with Black veterans. African Americans have fought in every war since the Revolutionary War. 200,000 Black men enlisted during the Civil War. African Americans also fought in both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and beyond.
All too often, their stories go untold. Medgar Evers, NAACP’s 1st Field Secretary, served in the U.S. Army. Famous actor Morgan Freeman served in the Air Force. The list goes on. However, despite their contribution, Black veterans are often written out of history.
As part of the NAACP, we continue to educate and shine a light on the systems that have denied and continue to deny our full humanity.
Again, we thank you for your service.
