I remember standing over my grandfather’s death bed. As he talked to me, he remarked how proud he was that I was an officer in the military. He spoke about the obligations of command. He reminisced on his experiences in WWII. He seemed proud. I stood there under my mother’s careful eye having just weeks prior left active duty for the private sector. My grandfather was not to know that. He would die hours later believing that I would continue to progress up the ranks as he had so many years prior.

I do not have the words at my disposal to explain just how great this man was. Those of you who are too young to have perspective will not likely get it. Those of you who without at least a base understanding of the military will likely have some difficulty fully grasping the import.

Papa made LTC in 1962. That is a big deal. Papa is was a black man. He was an officer in both the segregated Army and the desegregated Army. He commanded both “colored” troops and white troops.

He would often talk about the time he was being stationed and Fort Devens.  Upon arrival, he received a lot of strange looks. No one was expecting a black senior officer. They attempted to place Papa and family in “very nice senior noncom quarters”, but Papa insisted that he be granted officer’s quarters befitting an LTC. And he got his way. He was the only black there at that time. And for a long time after, he was still the only black there.

Papa had two sons. One was a retired as an Army COL. The other retired as a brigadier equivalent. Just between the three of them:  three wars, seven tours, four purple hearts.

Thanks. I just wanted to document that.

*I will not reply to comments*   *comments are welcome*