We Were There: 250 Anniversary and African American Military Heritage Day

For over twenty years, veterans groups, former Representative Gloria Fox and others have organized programs to celebrate African American Veterans Military Heritage Day. Past keynote speakers include the late Settie Warren, an Iraqi war veteran and former mayor of Newton being first Black mayor of any city in Massachusetts, and Dr. John Morrow, an adviser to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and contributor to the book, We Return Fighting: The African American Experience in World War I. This year’s keynote will be delivered by Dr. Imari K. Paris Jeffries, President and CEO, Embrace Boston, Inc. Members and representatives of various state and local VFW posts, veterans groups, museums, archives, and the general public will be among the attendees. Among the elected officials who are invited to attend are: Senator Markey; Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley; City Councilor Minyard Culpepper; and Mayor Wu. A short parade with a joint color military guard and local veterans organizations will start from Elliott Square to the park before the program. Informational tables will be available and refreshments provided.