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Montford Point, North Carolina. This was segregated training
ground from 1942 to 1949 for the nation's first African-American
Marines. Now, a new memorial stands outside the gates of Camp
Johnson to commemorate their historic achievements in the face of
racial segregation.
Hundreds of Montford Point Marines,
family members, active duty servicemembers and supporters gathered
to witness the official dedication of the National Montford Point
Marine Memorial at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune July 29, 2016.
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July 29, 2016 - A U.S. Marine raises the Marine Corps flag during the National
Montford Point Marine Memorial dedication ceremony on Camp Johnson,
NC.. The memorial honors the approximately 20,000
African Americans who were segregated and trained at Montford Point
to become United States Marines between 1942 and 1949. (U.S. Marine
Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher A. Mendoza, 2d MARDIV Combat Camera)
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“Today, as a result of the hard work and perseverance of
so many of you here, across the country and those no longer
with us, that vision is now a reality,” said Brig. Gen.
Thomas D. Weidley, commanding general of Marine Corps
Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. “This
inspiring memorial takes it rightful place among the other
silent testimonials to the courage, dedication and sacrifice
of our men and women who have worn the cloth of this
nation.”
In the center of the grounds, a bronze
15-foot statue represents those African-American Marines who
left behind combat support duties in the Marine Corps to
pick up a rifle to be a part of the main effort along with
their counterparts.
Behind the statue stands the
90-mm M1A1 anti-aircraft gun, the primary anti-aircraft
weapon of the Montford Point Marines with the 51st and 52nd
Defense Battalions.
To the statue's left is a marble
wall with 20,000 stars to honor the approximate number of
African American Marines who trained there before they were
integrated. No official records were kept at the time to
identify each one.
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July 29, 2016 - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, commanding general,
Marine Corps Installation-East, gives his remarks during the
National Montford Point Marine Memorial dedication ceremony on Camp
Johnson, NC. The memorial honors the approximately
20,000 African Americans who were segregated and trained at Montford
Point to become United States Marines between 1942 and 1949. (U.S.
Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher A. Mendoza, 2d MARDIV Combat
Camera)
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“This is something that I never thought would be
possible,” said Ivor Griffin, Montford Point Marine who
served 23 years enlisted. “I heard about it being in the
making, and I thought it couldn't be true, I thought we were
the forgotten 20,000.”
Smiles and tears shown on the
faces of these aged Marines each time a new speaker came to
the podium and recounted the history of what these men had
done, and on more than one occasion, they gave motivated
shouts of encouragement; this was their day.
“I'm
very thrilled to be here and very thrilled knowing that we
will be remembered,” said Griffin. “[There are] only about
400 of us living, but those of us who are able to be here,
we are grateful for what has happened here today, and what
has happened in the past.”
See more images about this article
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Sean Berry
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
The U.S. Marines
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