FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM | MAR 7, 2013 | THE FLAGSHIP | A5
blackhistorymonth
Oceana honors military pioneers at Black History Month event By Cathy Heimer Jet Observer
The AfricanAmerican story is not just our story, it’s an American story.” - Guest speaker Rev. Geoffrey V. Guns
VIRGINIA BEACH
The Montford Point Marines and the Tuskegee Airmen were honored during the Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Black History Month observance at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Feb. 21. Three of 13 Montford Point Marines who live in Hampton Roads, attended the observance, which included guest speaker Rev. Geoffrey V. Guns and powerful performances of two poems set to music by Gunnery Sgt. Dean Lawrence. Ronald M. Frink, president of the Tidewater Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. spoke on behalf of the five original documented Tuskegee Airman who live in Hampton Roads. One of those men was scheduled to attend, but was unable because of a family member’s illness. Frink noted how the men were “living history” and thanked Oceana for honoring them. The idea of living history was also stressed by Master Sgt. Curt Clarke, president of the Tidewater Chapter 14, Montford Point Marine Association, as he encouraged those attending the observance to take advantage of the opportunity to meet the Montford Point Marines, Robert E. Nichols, Jimmy M. Hargrove and William A.L. Brown. The three men were among the 20,000 enlisted Black Marines who trained at the segregated Montford Point Camp in North Carolina from 1942 - 1949. A video was played of Montford Point Marines sharing their stories and discussing the changes they’ve seen in the military over the years. Clarke, who is the senior enlisted advisor at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Oceana, said that the Montford Point Marines “are an example for those such as myself, who stand on their shoulders.” Clarke, who believes one of their legacies is their perseverance, said the Montford Point Marines “are truly pioneers. They have truly paved the way.” Last year, the Montford Point Marines were presented the Congressional Gold Medal and they were honored with the christening of the USNS Montford Point (MLP 1) on March 2 in San Diego, Calif.
The guest speaker for the event serves as the pastor of the Second Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk. Guns, 64, a Norfolk native, began by explaining he was “a product of the 1960s Black power revolution,” and never attended an integrated school. He said his daughter still finds it hard to believe people lived like that. “I have witnessed a dramatic shift in the racial consciousness and awareness of American society. I was really pleased to see this year’s celebration focus on the Emancipation Proclamation and the march on Washington,” said Guns, who still remembers the march. But despite the cultural shift, Guns said “there still remains a serious need to continue to highlight the contributions of people, who have in some ways, been marginalized by society.” While he said America doesn’t like to engage in conversations about diversity, it’s better to speak and understand people. He also noted that Blacks were the one group of people who did not come “to America seeking freedom, opportunity and financial prosperity.” As he commended Oceana for continuing to focus on the history and legacy of various cultures, Guns shared his three reasons why the observances are important. He began with “every ethnic group has an American story and that story needs to be passed from one generation to the next.” Guns explained his second reason as being “the present and the future are always conditioned by the past.” He sees many people who have disconnected themselves from the “journeys of those who have gone on before them.” Because how someone grows up shapes how they understand life, how they think, Guns told the audience, “you must never divorce yourself from your past,” even though it might be unpleasant. “Lastly, because the African-American story is not just our story, it’s an American story ... America would not and could not be what it is today without the contributions of African-Americans,” he said “This is true with each and every ethnic group in this country. We are Americans, whether we come from Africa or Asia, or
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MC2 Antonio Peter Turretto Ramos NAS Oceana observed Black History Month with a special program honoring pioneering Black military members at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Feb. 21.
Latin America, South America or even the Middle East. Our greatness is found in being able to honor the legacy of every contributor to our society.” During the observance, Lawrence, stationed at Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., provided two moving performances of poems set to music. “Montford Point,” told from the perspective of the facility, was an inspiring rendition of life of the Black Marines who trained at the boot camp. It detailed the discrimination they endured and their determination to succeed. The second presentation was about defending America after Sept. 11, 2001 and the reasons that would make someone willing to go to war begins with
“She called.” Lawrence is a member of the Tidewater Chapter of the Montford Point Marines and developed the Montford Point performance after a great deal of research. “It’s a way to give a voice to a part of history,” he said. Using the stage name of “Life,” Lawrence is also a frequent performer with his powerful rap-style poems, which have been posted on YouTube and earned him an interview with national media. “I literally cannot add one bit of wisdom to today’s event,” said Capt. Bob Geis, Commanding Officer, NAS Oceana as he concluded the program. Noting that “life is a journey,” he challenged everyone attending to move forward together because “together we’re strong.”