Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz held a ceremony honoring African American Veteran for their service to our country

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz held a ceremony honoring African American Veteran for their service to our country

Rep. Wasserman Schultz and the veterans she honored.

By Michael Liquerman

During the month of February we honor the immeasurable achievements and contributions of African Americans to our nation’s political, cultural, and economic fabric.

In her remarks to the veterans, local leaders and students at Cooper City High School, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz said: “Since our founding, African Americans have bravely fought in every war fought by or within the United States. At Bunker Hill and Fort Ticonderoga, both free and enslaved Blacks fought to secure our independence from Great Britain.

While African Americans have always fought to protect our nation’s ideals and freedoms, it was not until 1948 that President Harry Truman issued an Executive Order to desegregate the Armed Forces.

Like the Tuskegee Airmen who were still subjected to Jim Crow Laws during the Second World War, your valor and love for country too often came at the price of discrimination, institutional racism, and unconscionable bigotry.

Too many fought for freedom abroad knowing this imperfect democracy would not grant them those same freedoms here at home.

However, this never deterred African Americans from action, or their eagerness to join their fellow Americans and prove their patriotism.

Despite all of this, you chose to put country first and yourselves second, and for that we are eternally grateful.

However, we owe you much more than gratitude. We owe the many freedoms that we enjoy to you – from the freedom of expression, to the right to vote.”

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz honored:

Senior Master Sgt. Cynthia Addison

Sergeant Jonathan

Anderson

Cpt. Sheila Chamberlain

Specialist Charles Green

Lt. Col. Kenneth Green

Sgt. 1st Class Jesus Harte

Sgt. Paula Jarrett

Sgt. Jamal Jenkins

Sgt. Sarai Martin

Sgt. Milton Moore

Col. Derek Pruitt

Cpt. Merwyn Reaves

Petty Ofc. Edward Roberts

Sgt. Philip Rolle

Sgt. Major Billy Scott

Cpt. Joevahn Scott

Cpt. Bryan Thompson

Sgt. Major Arthur Wells

Sgt. Robert White