Black Military World Forum

No Name Given Blogs

Print the article

This entry was posted on 9/1/2006 12:30 AM and is filed under Unity.

Imagine how powerful a national alliance of millions of African American military veterans would be. Mind boggling to say the least!

 

I'd like to first commend the website for a job well done!  I'd encourage everyone to make people of color aware of its existence. Now, I'll take this opportunity to speak my mind.

 

In scrolling the home page of this website, one can't help but be struck by the vastness of the African American military population. I had no idea!  I also had no idea of the numbers of organizations that exist to serve this diverse population of men and women. 

 

The mere thought of uniting millions of African American military veterans into a nationwide alliance is enough to send shivers down the spines of many Americans.  Its purpose and goals would hardly matter.  Its the sheer level of respect that such a powerful, educated and disciplined group of African Americans would demand, in all segments of American society. Within this group are some of the most respected members of the race including average citizens, business and community leaders, celebrities, and politicians.

 

Don't jump to conclusions. Let's imagine this organization focusing its mission on commendable goals such as providing leadership and role models for the black community.  What about this group addressing the issues impacting African American males and helping to shape future generations of American citizens. It's even easy to envision such a organization rising to the forefront of  African American leadership altogether. 

 

There are segments of the African American population who, for various reasons, are skeptical about the military.  Perhaps this organization can even work to change their views.  Maybe do some good for the military and the community, so that everybody wins. Then we become a stronger nation.  It's not an unrealistic thing to consider.

 

Perhaps now the idea is not so frightening, is it?

 

At the same time, such an organization could become a very powerful lobbying force for people of color. Especially, in gaining governmental support for efforts and programs that are needed to enable many more African Americans to become productive citizens of this great nation.

 

These are my thoughts, I'm sure you have thoughts too. Do you think that such a line of thinking has merit?

 

P.S. Please don't be afraid to speak out about this question. It's too important for silence.

 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this entry
  • No trackbacks exist for this entry.
Comments
    Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

    • 9/1/2006 12:30 PM Ross wrote:
      No name given, I roger your assessment of this website, it's right on target. Secondly, you entry is both well written and certainly food for thought. Many of us leave the military as highly proficient leaders, so why not collectively channel our leadership abilities where it is needed most, our own communities and our future generations. I can't see how anyone could disagree with such a positive concept. Ross (Florida)
      Reply to this
    • 9/1/2006 5:13 PM Isaiah Miller wrote:
      FAST FORWARD TO NONPROFITISM

      Since many of our military skills are not applicable “back in the world”, let us consider maintaining our connection with government while interfacing with the corporate sector. My suggestion is that we rally the veteran brothers and achieve this through a nonprofit community-based structure.

      There are many nonprofit organizations, including 501© (3) community-based organizations, which have been organized, but lie dormant due to a lack of direction. We, therefore, advocate a simplistic approach to organizing and growing a nonprofit corporation. First of all, the organization should be viewed as a business enterprise; and as such, the principals of the organization should be prepared to operate as entrepreneurs. Second, where possible, the organization should strive to model successful programs which closely parallel its own mission.

      You will need a plan of action. This plan should be tied to real live and active federal and local government programs; and it should be linked to human and financial resources both in the private and public sectors.

      “I have learned that the way you succeed in life is to be presented with an opportunity and know how to work the system”.
      Source: Pastor of a Lakeland, FL based mega church.

      In a November 2, 2005 Washington Post article on the findings of an organization of nonprofit agencies, it was disclosed that the number of charitable nonprofit groups in the Washington region rose 66 percent, to 8,586, from 1993 to 2003. The value of the assets held by the nonprofit groups increased 142 percent from 1993, to $71.1 billion, and the groups’ expenditures doubled, to $ 17.1 billion, in the same period.

      The organization further reported that the study did not include the more than 14,000 groups — including PTAs, booster clubs and Little Leagues — exempted from reporting requirements because of their limited finances.
      Posting this message is an attempt to commence a dialogue on practical and meaningful ways to empowerment. What we need as good and noble veterans are specific industry sectors or environments to mount aggressive business initiatives. For starters, we might select communities that adjoin Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where typically, there are mounting social needs.

      In order to move beyond generalizations and rhetoric, hype and glitter, for example, why don’t we form “action groups” to launch intensive nonprofit initiatives in designated communities? One strategy could involve organizing to become eligible to receive HUD Properties at no cost or low cost, refurbish them and profit from the residual income of ownership or from the sell of these properties to first time home buyers.

      Isaiah Miller, Sr.
      Community Investment Specialist

      Former Captain, US Army Adjutant General Corps
      Headquarters MACV J2 Admin
      Military
      Reply to this
    • 9/16/2006 9:53 AM Anonymous wrote:
      Who will be the first African American President? Will he ride on the shoulders of his peers into office? What network will/ can best make this happen?
      Reply to this
    • 2/24/2008 3:53 PM Gabriel Christian wrote:
      Reflections of a West Indian Squadron Leader
      Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DFC, DSO
      139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command


      Phillip Louis Ulric Cross is the most decorated West Indian to have seen service in the Royal Air Force during World War II, having been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He graduated as a barrister from the Middle Temple in 1949, and served as Attorney General in Cameroon and a high court judge in Ghana and Tanzania.

      Now ninety, Judge Cross was born on May 1, 1917 in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad. He recalls:

      .I served as a navigator in the Pathfinder section of 139 squadron; the famous “Jamaica Squadron” of the RAF. The pathfinders led the way on bombing raids; a most dangerous task. Our unit flew the famous Mosquito bomber, which was made mainly of wood. Jamaica had paid for many of the planes of139 squadron, hence the name. There was also a Trinidad Squadron, where Trinidad had paid for those planes. I was the only West Indian on my squadron.

      First, I flew 30 missions over Germany and occupied Europe. After 30 missions one earns a rest and can divert to teaching other pilots etc. However, I was interested in continuing the mission. At 50 missions, they again asked me to take a rest. I declined and flew 80 missions over Germany and occupied Europe before the war ended. My most harrowing mission is when one of the engines of our Mosquito fighter-bomber was shot up over Germany and we came down to 7,000 feet from 35,000 feet. We struggled back to England and crash landed in a quarry. It was a narrow escape but we made it out alive. The navigator is key, as we are the ones who tell the pilot how to get to and from the destination or target. I ended the war as a squadron leader and was then sent to the Colonial Office to act as liaison for all colonial forces. It was there that I was phoned and advised that I was awarded the DSO. A plane was sent for me and I was given the award and we had a party.

      In all 250 Trinidadians flew in combat in the RAF during the war and 50 died in action. Many hundreds more, maybe more than a thousand, served with other West Indians, as ground crew. I knew the Jamaican Vincent Buntin; he was a fighter pilot and I believe he flew in the Battle of Britain. I met him in England. Julian Marryshow of Grenada was also a fighter pilot and he is still alive, I believe. Osborne Kelsick of Montserrat was a fighter pilot. I met Michael Manley of Jamaica in London, still in the uniform of the Royal Canadian Air Force and we became friends.
      Reply to this
    • 3/20/2008 3:07 PM Tom Baxter wrote:
      Can you or any of your comrades provide answers to the following questions?

      1 On what date did the first black marine(s) complete basic training and become members of the US Marines?
      2 As of today, how many black marine officers have been promoted to Brigadier General?, Major General?, Lt General?, General?

      Thanks
      Reply to this
    • 5/9/2008 12:51 PM Mary Moore wrote:
      "I'M AN AMERICAN" -- There's a beautiful new patriotic song, an ode to our fighting troops, done not by a country & western singer, but by an established Las Vegas r&b singer! It's called "I'm An American" by Daniel Lowery. Sung from the perspective of a young soldier in Iraq, it also has a video that accompanies it. To listen to this great song, click this link -
      http://www.timbojamrecords.com/mp3/american.mp3
      Reply to this
    Leave a comment

    Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

     Enter the above security code (required)

     Name

     Email (will not be published)

     Website

    Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.



      
    Copyright . http://BLOG.BLACKMILITARYWORLD.COM. All rights reserved.