Virginia War Memorial To Present “A Tribute To Veterans of Color” African-American Military Veterans To Be Honored In Commemoration of Black History Month
The Virginia War Memorial will commemorate Black History Month with a special program, “A Tribute to Veterans of Color,” Saturday, February 25 at 10 a.m.
Guest speaker will be Captain Howard L. Baugh, President of the Howard Baugh Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen in Petersburg, Va.
Capt. Baugh is the son of the late Lieutenant Colonel Howard Baugh, Sr., a native of Petersburg and graduate of Virginia State University, who was one of the original members of the famous 99th Fighter Squadron that flew in the European Theater during World War II.
The program will be held in Freedom Hall in the Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center at 621 South Belvidere Street in downtown Richmond. There is no admission charge and the public is encouraged to attend.
The program will also include a panel discussion with African-American veterans who served in branches of the US Military in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.
At 12 noon, cadets from Richmond’s Franklin Military Academy will participate in a wreath presentation ceremony honoring African-American veterans in the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory.
“We are pleased to honor and remember the major contributions of our African-American veterans with this program,” said Jim Triesler, the Memorial’s Director of Education. “It is important that the story of their struggle to fight for the freedom of their country, despite the obstacles of discrimination they faced, must be never forgotten.”
For more information on “A Tribute to Veterans of Color” program, please call 804.786.2060 or visit www.vawarmemorial.org.
About the Virginia War Memorial
The mission of the Virginia War Memorial is to Honor Veterans, Preserve History, Educate Youth and Inspire Patriotism in All. Dedicated in 1956, the Memorial includes the names of the
nearly 12,000 Virginia heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II, Korea,
Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the Global War on Terrorism. The Virginia War Memorial is a division of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and serves as an integral part of its mission in support of all Virginians who served in our military.
The Memorial is located at 621 South Belvidere Street in Richmond and is open to the public seven days a week. For more details and a complete event schedule, call 804.786.2060 or go to www.vawarmemorial.org or facebook.com/virginiawarmemorial.
About the Virginia War Memorial Foundation
Founded in 2000, The Virginia War Memorial Foundation (VWMF) is the non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation dedicated to the financial support of all of the educational outreach, patriotic programs, historical exhibits and documentary films of the Virginia War Memorial. Donations to the Foundation from individuals, corporations, military and veterans groups and other organizations may be tax-deductible and are encouraged and appreciated. For more information, please visit www.vawarmemorial.org.