Reflecting on his time serving as an Army ranger within the Vietnam War in 1966-67, Dorchester’s Ronald Bagley says he has many tales, however what he remembers essentially the most got here after the conflict.
Bagley spent numerous time writing “Welcome Back to the World” letters to his buddies who additionally served within the conflict, expressing his appreciation for his or her service to the nation.
“It was a time to really understand the blessings that you had in this country,” he stated Friday earlier than a Veterans Day celebration on the future web site of General Edward O. Gourdin and African American Veterans Memorial and Park in Roxbury’s Nubian Square.
“I recommend folks to travel more and get out to see what’s out there, and they’d begin to see what they’ve grown accustomed to in this country,” Bagley stated.
As the park, which is slated to open to the general public subsequent spring, goals to honor all Black veterans, Bagley and fellow veterans stated the popularity has been a very long time coming.
Bruce Bickerstaff served within the Vietnam War between 1967-71 as safety police within the Air Force, making stops in Vietnam and Thailand. When he left the conflict he stated he felt there was extra appreciation for World War II veterans.
There are many tales which have but to be advised of Black veterans from the earliest wars to the newest, Bickerstaff stated. The new park situated subsequent to Roxbury’s department of the Boston Police Department will go a good distance in sharing untold historical past whereas recognizing Black veteran contributions to society post-war, he stated.
Bickerstaff highlighted how Gourdin not solely served in World War II however was additionally the primary Black decide appointed to Roxbury District Court; the primary Black individual in New England appointed to Massachusetts Superior Court; and the primary man in historical past to interrupt 25 toes within the lengthy bounce in the course of the 1924 Summer Olympics.
“These are the kinds of stories that we all are working toward getting out there to be accessible,” Bickerstaff stated. “We are uniformed, but we are also individuals.”
Robert Workman fought within the Vietnam War as a Marine. He stated it’s arduous for elected officers to narrate to veterans since many haven’t served within the army however talked about his appreciation for the PACT Act which President Joe Biden signed into legislation in August.
The PACT act ensures veterans can obtain high-quality well being care screenings and providers associated to potential poisonous exposures and expands entry to VA well being care providers for veterans uncovered throughout their army service, in keeping with the White House.
“They will come out today and say ‘Thank you, veterans,’” Workman stated. “Veterans Day is just not one day. All of these politicians out here today, where will they be next week, next month, next year?”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”