Here's a man who was trained as an Army engineer - one of the guys who can clear mine fields and build bridges and make sure the airplanes can land and take off so everybody gets the beans and the bullets and the bandaids they need - but was deemed no more valuable than to spend his time doing laundry for three white officers.
AP - New Orleans:
A man considered to be the nation's oldest living World War II veteran was serenaded and showered with kisses during a celebration of his 110th birthday at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Lawrence Brooks was born Sept. 12, 1909, and served in the predominantly African American 91st Engineer Battalion stationed in New Guinea and then the Philippines. He was a servant to three white officers and his daily routine included cleaning their sheets and uniforms and shining their shoes.
There's something seriously wrong with this country. Sometimes we get around to doing something to make up for it, but it seems like those efforts are few and far between, and they don't come along at all unless something or someone kinda forces the issue.
Happy birthday, Mr Brooks. You've deserved a lot better than what we've delivered for you.
Some of us will keep trying.
No comments:
Post a Comment