Carl Johnson 's Life Matters

Boarding the train from Chattanooga to Memphis seems like an innocent thing to do (“UMKC” par. 2). For the Scottsboro boys, boarding that train was one of the worst things they could have done. Two dozen whites and black road the train that day, and within the first

Despite having dealt with unwritten laws known as the, “Jim Crow” laws, many African American Soldiers still decided, without being drafted, to enlist in the military, only to be met with more segregation, separation and deference. Many of them worked in supporting roles in the service. One such supporting role was called the Service Force. George was one of those soldiers serving in the Service Force. George believes the Service Force was just as important as any other role in the military. He states, “I can work with a certain satisfaction that my work behind the ‘lines’ is the only direct support that the men ‘Up Front’ have.” I believe George had the hoped that when returning from the War, African Americans would have earned equality and respect from their fellow countrymen. In writing a letter to his sister, George states, “we hope that the American people won’t forget that if we can work and fight for the Democratic Way, that we are entitled to enjoy every privilege it affords when this mess is

Many people know of the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, they were the first African American Fighting group that flew combat missions for the United States military in World War II. Throughout their time overseas they were breaking down racial barriers by proving that colored men can fly a plane just as well as their white aviation counterparts. In order to get their chance to prove that they were able to serve their country, many things had to go right before they were allowed to take their wheels off the ground. They faced constant discrimination but because of that discrimination they were able to conquer the stereotypes and rise to become some of the most decorated

During his last year of service with the Marines, Christopher Lee Boyd was sent to Iraq. Boyd was a driver in the fourth combat engineer battalion. In Iraq, Boyd’s unit swept for land mines and escorted convoys. When

As a young college graduate COL Mahoney wanted to join the Army and make an immediate impact in law enforcement; so he became a member of the Military Police (MP) Corps in1982. With discipline and dedication, he climbed the ranks, obeyed the orders of his superiors, motivated his peers to persevere, encouraged his subordinates, and honed his personal leadership skills. Time after time he led the physical training sessions and the complex mission requirements training of the MP force in each of his units.

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was born December 18, 1912 in Washington D.C. His father, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. was one of the few African-American officers in the U.S. Army. Davis, Jr. was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy in 1932 by Rep. Oscar S. De Priest, the only black congressman at that time. At West Point he endured ostracism from both classmates and superiors who wanted to see him fail. He persevered and graduated 35th in a class of 276 in 1936. He was the fourth African-American graduate in the Academy’s history. Upon commissioning he and his father became the only two black officers in the army. His application to the Army Air Corps was refused because the Air Corps did not accept African-Americans.

During the mid-19th century, there were still many acts of segregation. Although black men had been allowed to vote and rightly think for themselves, many Americans still dismissed them as equals. However, something happened that would change that view for many Americans. It is more than a mere footnote in history. During World War II, in Tuskegee, AL, an all-African American institute was allowed to train black pilots. These men were called, “The Tuskegee Airmen.”

Some prisoners were stripped of all their possessions and beaten by the officers, "...they first disarmed me, then plundered me... they abused me by bruising my flesh with the butts of there [guns]... the next thing was I almost starved to death by them...". Some high ranking prisoners such as Majors or Captains were held in dungeons for 10 months. While the prisoners onboard the British ships may have been mistreated, it is false to assume that British prisoners were treated with hospitality. The Continental Congress was also caught off-guard with the amount of prisoners from the Convention army. After the Battle of Trenton there were hundreds of Hessian prisoners and after the Convention army surrendered the number increased by 6,000. Even though the prisoners were intended to be treated with mercy, in reality this was not always the case. There were multiple instances of appalling cruelty especially in certain states. Since the Continental Congress was unprepared to house all of the prisoners, they instead took them through a journey through America, “took them down to Virginia, then up to Maryland, into Pennsylvania again, and finally back to Rutland. Almost every step of the way they contended with meagre rations, shortages of fuel, inadequate accommodations, and physical violence." In addition, some prisoners were dumped unto unexpecting towns. These towns had to feed thousands of prisoners without any warning. Therefore,

continuously extremely constrained and dubious. Shares, avoidance, and racial segregation were based on the common disposition in the United States, especially with respect to the U.S. military, that African Americans did not have the scholarly limit, fitness, and aptitudes to be fruitful

Private Herbert Henry Dozier was an active member of the United States Army from 1971 to 1975. He fought in the Vietnam War. Private Dozier entered the armed service willing when he was eighteen years old. He was newly married to his wife Vivian Dozier and had a son. It was believed to be the best option for a young black man in his generation, especially if you are unable to find a stable job.

In search of a new life, I boarded the Southern Railroad on March 25th, 1931. I should have known it right then. The Southern Railroad. My fate was in its name. I was a black man on the Southern Railroad. The same South that can not and will not see me, acknowledge me, and tolerate me beyond the color of my skin. Despite the facts, I boarded that train in an attempt to escape the South that did not want me. Then why, why did the South wrap its unforgiving chains around me and pull me back in.

The U.S. military produces some of the bravest most heroic men and women on earth. From the moment the oath of enlistment is made to the time of separation or retirement, these courageous souls endure a number of amazing, historic and sometimes unbelievable events. They are praise for their service and lift even higher for their sacrifice, although most are unaware of the true sacrifices are made by some of these men and women. The most visible sacrifices or “outer sacrifices” are loss of life or loss of limbs while the inner wounds are bouts with depression, sexual assault, divorce, and most common alcohol other drug abuse.

Although some think that is enough to not admit him to any other military service he later joined the Army through the proper channels and with a waiver.

Marco was in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. He went to Bagdad to fight. Marco was sent to the North of Bagdad to a small village called al-Tarmiyah to do recon. Marco and his battalion ran into the enemy. The marines were ambushed so his squad got out and ran 200 yards of terrain under enemy fire. Marco’s squad leader got hit by a piece of shrapnel and could not go on. Marco was next in line to be the leader.

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother, Staff Sergeant Stephanie W. Plank, she was recently on a mission in Death Valley where she died from injuries sustained when her truck hit a large object in the road and overturned. She was one of my fine Staff Sergeants and a good person to all that knew her. This tragedy has taken a taken a fine Soldier, mother, wife, daughter, friend from this earth. I cannot and not explain in words how sorry I am for devastating lost. This Battalion will also be impacted over her loss.