Bethlehem’s NAACP Branch 2250 held a small Memorial Day gathering at noon next to the Third Ward’s War Memorial near the Litzenberger House on Fourth Street. Those attending learned about past minority community members who have both served and given their lives to protect America’s freedom.

NAACP past President Esther Lee stressed that there are many connections between people from Bethlehem who have served our nation in the military and that all walks of life should be recognized for it. “We are all one people,” she said. Lee also led the assembly in singing “God Bless America.”

Rita Plotnicki discussed her research of Thomas Sanford Dixon, a black business owner in Bethlehem who had served during the Civil War in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Wandalyn Enix recalled the service of her own father, Ernest Enix, in the U.S. Army as an ambulance driver in World War II, and brother Ernie who had served in the U.S. Navy for seven years, as well as Gerald Davis, a 1966 Liberty HS graduate, who died in the Vietnam War.

Reverend Edward Johnson was remembered for his service, which was estimated to have taken place in the Spanish-American War era, and who later was pastor at both the Second Baptist and St. Paul’s Baptist Churches in Bethlehem.

Eliott Blue was remembered as both Bethlehem’s first Black policeman and a Tuskegee Airman. And, Erasmus Bell was remembered for his service during World War I as a member of the Harlem Hellfighters, a unit that received France’s highest military honor, the Croix de Gurre.

State Rep. Steve Samuelson attended and noted the roles played by many Southside residents in America’s military. Bethlehem’s director of equity and inclusion, Janine Santoro, represented Mayor J. William Reynolds, and presented a Memorial Day proclamation to Esther Lee.

Reverend Clinton Bryant, president of the NAACP Bethlehem Chapter, gave both the invocation and final blessing, as well as recalling his time spent in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Bethlehem residents Rodney Weems, a U.S. Navy veteran, said, “You can’t serve without knowing somebody who paid the ultimate price in their service.”

Lee concluded, “This situation with us needs to be corrected. We chose today’s location because colored boys lived in the Southside neighborhoods as well.”