Ceremony celebrates firsts for African-Americans

By Cpl. Katie Densmore

A collections of photos tell the story of the Montford Point Marines. Montford Point was created as a training facility for African-American Marines, which made it the perfect place for the African-American History Month Opening Ceremony, Feb. 4.

CAMP JOHNSON, N.C.—  In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established a presidential directive giving African-Americans an opportunity to be recruited into the Marine Corps, according to the Web site montfordpointmarines.com.

Because the country was still racially segregated, Montford Point was created as a training facility for African-American Marines. For the first time African-Americans were able to fight for their country. Although they now had the ability to fight in the war for their country, they still had to fight another battle. A war that raged long after the Nazi threat was extinguished, the battle against prejudice.

To honor the brave souls who fought for their country and equal treatment the African-American History Month Opening Ceremony was held Feb. 4.

The ceremony fittingly took place aboard Camp Johnson, formerly Montford Point, where approximately 20,000 African-American Marines shed blood and sweat to become members of ‘the few and the proud.’

District Judge Paul A. Hardison, of the fourth judicial district, speaks to a crowd of Marines, retirees and community members during the African-American History Month Opening Ceremony, Feb. 4. The ceremony honored the actions of the Marines who began serving in the segregated training Facility of Montford Point.

The evening began with members of the 2nd Marine Division Band playing a musical interlude as Marines currently attending Camp Johnson’s schools, base officials, civilian guests and members of the Montford Point Marine Association found their seats.

After the invocation by Navy Lt. Mike McConville, Marine Corps Combat Service Support School's chaplain, Pfc. Errol Sharpe, a student with MCCSSS was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the ceremony.

“It was a great honor to be selected to sing the National Anthem,” he said. “My mom is a minister and she is very active in promoting African-American history and heritage.”

After the National Anthem, the guest speaker for the event District Judge Paul A. Hardison, of the fourth judicial district, took to the stage.

Hardison began his speech with a story of how he was so honored to speak at the event he put a trial on hold.

“I explained yesterday to the attorneys that I had to be at Camp Johnson, North Carolina at 6 p.m. today,” he said. “I asked them if they could finish their cases by then. They said they could. So, today an attorney got up at five minutes to 5 p.m. and said he had another witness to call. I told him the case would have to be continued.”

However, what Hardison did not tell the attorneys was he was scheduled to switch counties and would not return for several weeks.

Paul Hagan a member of the Montford Point Marine Association stands with his head bowed in prayer at the African-American History Month Opening Ceremony, Feb. 4.Hagan was recognized during the ceremony as the only Marine who trained at Montford Point who attended.

Hardison continued to entertain the crowd with a story of how he was lucky to find the event.

“(1st) Lt. (Talisha) Johnson sent someone to get me at the gate, but when I got there he was gone,” he said with a smile as the crowd laughed.

He asked the front-gate guard, but didn’t understand the instructions.

“I thought I understood, but I was wrong,” he said. “All of you have clothes on. I was at the pool, so I new it wasn’t right.”

During his speech, Hardison took a moment to recognize some very special members of the audience.

He asked any original Montford Point Marines to stand. Paul Hagan, the only original Montford Point Marine Present slowly stood as applause filled the room. He then thanked the man for his service and sacrifice.

Then he asked Col. Grover C. Lewis, a current first for African-Americans, to stand and be recognized. Lewis is the first African-American commander of Camp Johnson.

After the applause died down, Hardison continued his speech and broached the very serious subject of the contributions African-American’s have made to society and what a different world it would be without them.

“When the laws called for desegregation, families tried to move where there were no African-Americans,” he said. “What they found on site was the lawn was brown and dead. For an African-American named Joseph Smith, invented the sprinkler and an African-American named John Burr invented the lawn mower. Because they were black, they were not let in.”

He continued to describe what flaws they found in their houses because of the African-Americans who had invented many of the modern conveniences were not allowed in the town. The rooms were not heated or air conditioned, the lights were dim and their homes were filthy all because of the town’s close-minded policy.

Toward the end of his speech, Hardison focused on inspiring his audience to realize they could achieve anything they put their mind to.

“I know you are looking at me here today in this nice suit, but it didn’t come easy,” he said. “You don’t know where I came from. I came from a three-room house with no telephone or air conditioning. I am the child of a single parent who raised two children while making $25 a week.”

Pfc. Joy White, a supply student with MCCSSS and a singer at the ceremony, took Hardison’s message of overcoming adversity to heart.

“When the judge started naming his accomplishments and where he came from, it reminded me of where I come from,” she said. “If he could do it, I could do it. There’s nothing that can stop me except myself.”

For Jerroi Maeweather, a member of the Montford Point Marine Association, the ceremony was an important reminder of the past and the progress that has been made.

“We have to always keep our legacy,” he said. “It’s not so much a black thing as it is American history, military history. It’s our history.”

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