It has been many
years since the sound of a gun was heard on U Street. The anomalous incident
that occurred in late December luckily did not result in bodily harm.
Unfortunately, the gunshots managed to damage one of the most important
national landmarks—the Wall of Honor at the African-American Civil War
Memorial, which remains the only memorial dedicated to honoring the 209, 145
men of the United States Colored Troops who bravely answered the call of their
country during the Civil War. The community remains confident in the safety of
their neighborhood, and is now turning its attention to the needs of the
memorial. The museum is proud to announce the start of "Rally on the High Ground", a fundraising effort to help pay for the repairs. Aside from the damage caused to the names of Adolph Ebermayer and
Henry Foster, there are other issues at the memorial that need repair. Among the
items on the agenda are repair of damage done by skateboarders, installation of
anti-skating devices, repairs and replacements of lighting, installation of
graphics and flag poles, and renewal of landscaping surrounding the memorial.
To understand
the importance of the memorial, you must first know the story of the men whose
names are inscribed. The passing of the Militia Act of 1862 is one of the most
overlooked moments in history. When compared to the 13th, 14th
and 15th amendments or the Civil Rights laws that were passed a
century after the war’s end, the Militia Act could seem irrelevant. Its
consequences, however, changed the course of American history by not only
allowing but asking “men of African
descent”—specifying one of the most oppressed and mistreated groups in our
nation’s history—to join the military, to fight for their freedom, and to help
reunite the war-torn country. African-Americans were dramatically
overrepresented in the military, and played an incomparable and decisive role
in the war. The passage of the Emancipation Proclamation six months after the
Militia Act allowed even more men of African descent to bravely stand up and
fight to defend a country that would continue to deny their rights for more
than a century after the war’s end. 25 soldiers of African descent earned the
Medal of Honor, and President Lincoln acknowledged their contributions as vital
to the Union’s victory over the Confederacy.
The importance
of Washington, D.C. in this story stems from more than just its status as the
nation’s capital. U Street became a vibrant cultural center for the African
American community in the century following the war. Dubbed “Black Broadway”,
the area attracted some of the greatest minds of the time, including Langston
Hughes and Duke Ellington. The neighborhood suffered immensely in 1968 with the
tragic assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., which simply added to already roiling
racial tensions, and the violent riots which followed.
With the efforts
of the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, a statue
entitled The Spirit of Freedom, surrounded by the Wall of Honor that displays
plaques with the 209, 145 names of the United States Colored Troops, was
installed at U Street. The placement of the memorial in the long-time center of
African-American culture reminded everyone of the community’s past glory and
the heritage of its residents, helping to revitalize the area. The memorial
honors those who answered their country’s cry for help. It honors those who not
only fought for their own freedom, but for the reunion, peace and prosperity of
a country that had denied them their basic human rights. It honors the families
and descendants of these soldiers and sailors who are here only because of the
brave sacrifices of these men. It honors those who continued to fight for
equality, marching for Civil Rights much like their ancestors marched across
battlefields. But most importantly, it honors America, and the men that allowed
it to become the country it is today.
The importance of
this memorial cannot be overstated. These men remained unnamed and unrecognized
for far too long, and their bravery deserves a memorial that accurately honors
the devotion they showed to their country. Please join the "Rally on the High Ground" and answer this call for help,
just as these men did a century ago. Any contribution you can make to help
restore the memorial to its intended state will be acknowledged and greatly
appreciated.
Persons interested in making a tax deductible donation
to "Rally on the High Ground" may do so by making checks payable to the African American Civil War Memorial
Freedom Foundation (please include memorial repairs in memo section) and address them to
African American Civil War Museum
1925 Vermont Ave NW,
Washington, D.C., 20001
or they
may donate online by going to www.afroamcivilwar.org.
