The Bethlehem Branch of the NAACP held its first Veterans Day recognition event Nov. 8 at PBS-39 with a number of African-American vets, their families and community leaders in attendance.

Dr. Wandalyn Enix provided an informational lecture about the participation of African-Americans serving our country “even before America was formed.” She detailed their participation right through World War II, noting that the military was segregated until 1948. Enix also said many more Blacks supported the British in the American Revolution, than didn’t, due to the British promising them their freedom.

Public officials attending included Northampton County executive Lamont McClure, State Rep. Steve Samuelson and Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta. McClure issued a proclamation from the county noting Afro-Americans’ “invaluable contribution” in the service of the United States. Samuelson delivered certificates of recognition to African-Americans who were present, representing themselves or a family member. Baratta noted the “discrimination and segregation” faced by blacks, who still attained the “achievements and sacrifices faced by all Americans” in their military service to America. “It’s embarrassing,” said Baratta.

Guest speaker Michael Carter, a retired Warrant Officer in the U.S. Navy and member of the Marine Corps League, related a lesson taught to him by his World War II veteran father. “My father told me he had to fight to fight,” drawing attention to the placement of Black servicemen and women in more supportive roles in the service during that time.

Carter said he joined the Navy after two years in college. He was an air crewman in a rescue helicopter for eight years of active duty, but then went into the reserves so he could raise a family. Active duty call-ups from the reserves included three tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. I ended up serving more active duty than reserves duty,” said Carter.

“The military gave me a way to get a bachelor’s degree and made a man out of me,” he summed up.