As a proud member of the National Council of Negro Women Metropolitan Dade County Section (NCNW-MDCS), I join our nation today in solemn remembrance and heartfelt gratitude. Memorial Day is more than a pause in our busy lives; it is a sacred moment to honor the brave men and women who laid down their lives in service to this country. Their courage, their sacrifice, and their legacy deserve not just our respect, but our ongoing commitment to the values they fought to uphold: freedom, justice, and equality for all.
For African Americans, Memorial Day carries a special resonance. Our history is deeply entwined with the story of this day. It is widely recognized that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized in 1865 by formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina, who gathered to honor Union soldiers who fought and died for their liberation. This act of remembrance, born from a community long denied dignity, helped shape a national tradition that endures to this day.
We remember the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, Tuskegee Airmen, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, and countless others; Black men and women who served with valor, often in the face of segregation and discrimination.
Their service reminds us that patriotism is not defined by uniform treatment, but by unwavering dedication to the ideals of this nation, even when those ideals are not yet fully realized.
Today, as a member of NCNW-MDCS, I reflect on how our mission to lead, advocate, and empower Black women and their families intersects with the spirit of Memorial Day. We continue the work our ancestors began: building communities, lifting voices, and shaping a more just society. We do so standing on the shoulders of those who paid the ultimate price, not only on the battlefield, but also in the fight for dignity and equality at home.
As we lay wreaths, raise flags, and bow our heads in silence, let us also raise our voices in purpose. Let us honor the fallen not only in memory, but in action by building a future worthy of their sacrifice.
To our heroes: we remember you. We honor you. We will never forget you.
National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Metropolitan Dade County Section, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization. For more information send email to mdcsncnw@gmail.com
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