Honoring Our Military Veterans & Active Duty Personnel on
Honoring Our Military Veterans &
Active Duty Personnel on
VETERAN’S DAY 2014 November 11, 2014 Sardis Missionary Baptist Church 1615 4th Court West, Birmingham AL 35208
Rev. Dr. Kurt S. Clark, Sr., Pastor Isaiah 40:31, “… they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” 1
My America Too! By Evelyn Dilworth Williams Morning Promises & My Evening Songs ©2004
America affords the venue for a life that’s good With fear and idleness in fact not understood Taking simple resources and making into delicacies Self-framing them as unique upgrades past tendencies When a former slave starts a school as a college To equalize the use of once forbidden knowledge That will sustain through the course of passing time Only in America can one make such a radical climb America’s doors to prosperity swing both ways Evidence is there when we review the life of slaves From the dinner table with servings of hog intestines To this day are accepted as a delight that was predestined Slave descendants and others go to foreign lands and fight side by side Return home and the relationships immediately subside Only in America will they return to the battlefields Abandoning home-grown rancor to be later revealed America is an inimitable home-base whether straight or bent Her design is an indigenous, self-determined, shackled content With such a variety she spun into a land with freedom’s intent Not by her doings but with the divine power that’s heavenly sent Where in the world is there another America So protected by all those of valiant might Keeping her charge in plain sight Giving the world freedom's timeless light What a land!!! A land, that will forever stand. A claim of pride to live as an AMERICAN!
2
Military History of African Americans in the American Wars 1. An iconic African American patriot; first to die in the American Revolutionary War, shot by royal soldiers in the Boston Massacre. Answer: Crispus Attucks 2. The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War; liberated more than 700 slaves in South Carolina. She was an armed scout and spy for the Union Army. Answer: Harriet Tubman 3. Late 1860's to the early 20th century African American units utilized by the US Government to combat Native Indians during the Indian Wars. Answer: Buffalo Soldiers 4. Served as the commander of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. He later went on to become the first African American general in the United States Air Force. Answer: Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. 5. The first African American to receive the Navy Cross and awarded for his brave actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Answer: Doris Miller 6. The first African American to command a warship and the first to be an admiral. Answer: Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. 7. The war where the first two black WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) officers, Harriet Pickens and Francis Will were sworn in as Waves. Answer: World War II 1944 8. The year President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, desegregation of the military. Answer: July 26, 1948 9. The first war where African Americans suffered disproportionately higher casualty rates during the early years of the war. Answer: The Vietnam War 10. Best known for her frank discussion of her views on controversial issues and the first African American appointed as Surgeon General of the United States? She served in the US Army. Answer: Joycelyn Elders 11. Appointed to the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the highest-ranking officer in the United States military. He was the first, and so far the only, African American to hold the position. Answer: Colin Powell 12. The only African American to serve as Commander- in- Chief of all the United States Military. Answer: President Barack Hussein Obama II 3
Veterans NAME & RANK Israel Askew, Captain Winston L Baker, SFC
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Air Force
US Army
Linda Butler US Army Reserve Hannah LTC
4
YEARS OF SERVICE Active Duty
25 Years Combat Vietnam Purple Heart Vietnam Campaign Medal (3 bronze stars), RVN Gallantry Cross, other awards
29 years, 3 months of Service
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Rev. Dr. Kurt US Army & S. Clark, Sr., US Army National E-4 Guard
1988-1994
PHOTO
Specialist Desert Storm
Clifford L. Clark E-4
Charlie L. Jones E-3
US Army
1964-1966 Vietnam
US Army
5
Veterans NAME & RANK Chester Cochran E-5
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
YEARS OF SERVICE 1969-1971 Platoon Leader, Basic & AIT Section Leader, Vietnam
US Army Julius L. Cunningham , Jr. SFC (E7) Billy R. Dawson E-3
6
US Coast Guard
22 Years
1972 - 1975
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Eddie Dick SGT
US Air Force
1949-1952
Ronald Dick AZ2
US Navy
1971-1974
PHOTO
Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga, Bermuda, Memphis
Glenn Drayton, Sr. ADJ 2
US Navy
1973-1977 Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga, Plane Captain & Certified Jet Mechanic in the SH-3H Helicopter 7
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
George Evans SGT
US Army
4 Years
US Army Reserve
Assignments included 1st Battalion 83rd Artillery Unit Baumholder, Germany. Attended First US Army NCO Academy
John Neil Frazier PFC
US Army
1970-1972
8
Vietnam
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK Lannie Guster, E-5
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
1970-1972 Financial Specialist Ft Greely, Alaska
Beatrice Guyton
US Air Force
4 Years
9-1/2 years Air National Radio OperationsGuard
(Communications Technology)
Tommy Guyton, PVT
US Army
9
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Alvin L. Hicks, SFC
Alabama National Guard
27 Years
Austin Holifield E-3
US Army
1951-1953
(Video Biography)
10
Korean War
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Clarence Horton, PFC
US Army & Army Reserve
2 Years
Ryan L. James, Sr. Gunnery MSGT
US Marine Corps
24 Years of Service
Michael Johnson, Colonel
US Marine Corps
28 Years of Service
PHOTO
Comptroller for 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
11
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Clarence King
US Army
2 Years
Marcus Matthews, SSgt
US Marine Corps
Retired: 20 Years of Service Persian Gulf, AMTRAK (Amphibious Assault Motor Vehicle Personnel), Instructor, Recruiter, Iraq War, Purple Heart
12
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Charles McMullin, III E-5
US Marine Corps
Roger R. Moore E-4
US Army
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
1972-1975
13
Veterans NAME & RANK Leon Nash, Sr. SFC
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army & Army Reserve
YEARS OF SERVICE 1974-2000 26 years: 3 years Active 23 years Army Reserve
Tommy N. Nollie, Jr. 1st Class
14
US Navy
1979-1999 Desert Storm
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK James F. Odom MSGT
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
PHOTO
21 Years of Service Duties in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Korea, Germany, Vietnam, the Middle East and Africa. Stateside duties were on Nike Missile sites and with Special Operations at Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Campbell, KY.
(Video Biography)
Thomas Penick
YEARS OF SERVICE
US Army
15
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
B. Roy Powell E-3
US Army Signal Corps
1963-1964
Stephen M. Reaves Specialist
US Army
4 Years 3rd ID Fort Stewart, GA Iraq
16
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Freddie E. Sawyers E-3
US Air Force
Lizzie B. Simpkins SP4
Women's 1957-1960 Army Corps Army Chemical Center, MD
Freddie L. Walters E-6
US Army & Army Reserve
(Video Biography)
PHOTO
1966-1969 Vietnam
36 Years of Service Desert Shield Desert Storm Vietnam
17
Veterans NAME & RANK Joe L. Williams, Jr. SP4
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
Thomas Earl US Air Force Williams, Airman 1st Class
YEARS OF SERVICE 1958-1960
1962-1966 Inact. Reserves 1966- 1968 Security Specialist /Military Police Stateside and Asia
Earl S. Wilson, Corporal
US Paratrooper (US Army)
1953-1956 188 Airborne Division Korean Veteran
18
PHOTO
Active Duty NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
John Askew, Lt. Colonel
US Air Force
Active Duty
Eric Foster, Jr.
US Army
Active Duty
Timothy Irwin
US Marine Corps
Active Duty
Donald LaQuitus Johnson
US Army
Active Duty
Benjamin Marshall
US Navy
Active Duty
PHOTO
19
Active Duty NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
William David McClung, III
US Army
Active Duty
Desmond Ross
US Air Force
Active Duty
Frederick Kendall Sawyers Lieutenant Colonel
US Air Force
Active Duty
Darion Young
US Marine Corps
Active Duty
20
PHOTO
Active Duty NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Henderson US Navy Williams, Jr.
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
Active Duty
21
Arlington Cemetery
“Gone, but never forgotten” NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Sam Hopkins, III SGT
US Army
Caesar Huff, Corporal
US Army
22
YEARS OF SERVICE 1967-1970 Vietnam, 1967-1968 1953-1955 71st IMF Div. Band
PHOTO
NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
James Simpkins, MSGT
US Air Force
James Finch Corporal/ Technician Fifth Grade
US Army
Demetrius A. Nollie, Airman 1st Class
US Air Force
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
20 Years Served in Vietnam War and the Cuban Crisis
1943 – 1946 World War II, Southwest Pacific, received the Good Conduct Medal, received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
1981-1984
23
24
Dear Lord, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made, and for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. By Joanna Fuchs "PEACE I leave with you, my peace I give you, not as the world gives do I give to you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -JOHN 14:27
25
BOOKLET UPDATES If any information contained in this program booklet is incorrect, please accept our sincerest apology. You and your family are so very important to us as we recognize our brave Sardis Veterans each year. If, throughout the year, you have an update, addition, or correction to this booklet, you are invited to complete the following information and return to the Sardis Missionary Baptist Church office or fax to 205-786-4425. All changes, updates, and corrections will be made immediately to the on-line document which can be printed in color or an individual program booklet can be printed at your request. If you wish to include a military photo, you may scan and email your photo to [email protected] or drop your photo off at the office. All original photos will be scanned and returned to the owner.
NAME & RANK
26
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO (OPTIONAL)
Thanks to those who provided information and photos for this booklet. Copies of this booklet are available online at www.sardisalive.org For more information about honoring American Veterans, please access the following website: http://www.va.gov/
27
Active Duty Personnel on
VETERAN’S DAY 2014 November 11, 2014 Sardis Missionary Baptist Church 1615 4th Court West, Birmingham AL 35208
Rev. Dr. Kurt S. Clark, Sr., Pastor Isaiah 40:31, “… they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” 1
My America Too! By Evelyn Dilworth Williams Morning Promises & My Evening Songs ©2004
America affords the venue for a life that’s good With fear and idleness in fact not understood Taking simple resources and making into delicacies Self-framing them as unique upgrades past tendencies When a former slave starts a school as a college To equalize the use of once forbidden knowledge That will sustain through the course of passing time Only in America can one make such a radical climb America’s doors to prosperity swing both ways Evidence is there when we review the life of slaves From the dinner table with servings of hog intestines To this day are accepted as a delight that was predestined Slave descendants and others go to foreign lands and fight side by side Return home and the relationships immediately subside Only in America will they return to the battlefields Abandoning home-grown rancor to be later revealed America is an inimitable home-base whether straight or bent Her design is an indigenous, self-determined, shackled content With such a variety she spun into a land with freedom’s intent Not by her doings but with the divine power that’s heavenly sent Where in the world is there another America So protected by all those of valiant might Keeping her charge in plain sight Giving the world freedom's timeless light What a land!!! A land, that will forever stand. A claim of pride to live as an AMERICAN!
2
Military History of African Americans in the American Wars 1. An iconic African American patriot; first to die in the American Revolutionary War, shot by royal soldiers in the Boston Massacre. Answer: Crispus Attucks 2. The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War; liberated more than 700 slaves in South Carolina. She was an armed scout and spy for the Union Army. Answer: Harriet Tubman 3. Late 1860's to the early 20th century African American units utilized by the US Government to combat Native Indians during the Indian Wars. Answer: Buffalo Soldiers 4. Served as the commander of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. He later went on to become the first African American general in the United States Air Force. Answer: Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. 5. The first African American to receive the Navy Cross and awarded for his brave actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Answer: Doris Miller 6. The first African American to command a warship and the first to be an admiral. Answer: Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. 7. The war where the first two black WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) officers, Harriet Pickens and Francis Will were sworn in as Waves. Answer: World War II 1944 8. The year President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, desegregation of the military. Answer: July 26, 1948 9. The first war where African Americans suffered disproportionately higher casualty rates during the early years of the war. Answer: The Vietnam War 10. Best known for her frank discussion of her views on controversial issues and the first African American appointed as Surgeon General of the United States? She served in the US Army. Answer: Joycelyn Elders 11. Appointed to the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the highest-ranking officer in the United States military. He was the first, and so far the only, African American to hold the position. Answer: Colin Powell 12. The only African American to serve as Commander- in- Chief of all the United States Military. Answer: President Barack Hussein Obama II 3
Veterans NAME & RANK Israel Askew, Captain Winston L Baker, SFC
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Air Force
US Army
Linda Butler US Army Reserve Hannah LTC
4
YEARS OF SERVICE Active Duty
25 Years Combat Vietnam Purple Heart Vietnam Campaign Medal (3 bronze stars), RVN Gallantry Cross, other awards
29 years, 3 months of Service
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Rev. Dr. Kurt US Army & S. Clark, Sr., US Army National E-4 Guard
1988-1994
PHOTO
Specialist Desert Storm
Clifford L. Clark E-4
Charlie L. Jones E-3
US Army
1964-1966 Vietnam
US Army
5
Veterans NAME & RANK Chester Cochran E-5
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
YEARS OF SERVICE 1969-1971 Platoon Leader, Basic & AIT Section Leader, Vietnam
US Army Julius L. Cunningham , Jr. SFC (E7) Billy R. Dawson E-3
6
US Coast Guard
22 Years
1972 - 1975
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Eddie Dick SGT
US Air Force
1949-1952
Ronald Dick AZ2
US Navy
1971-1974
PHOTO
Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga, Bermuda, Memphis
Glenn Drayton, Sr. ADJ 2
US Navy
1973-1977 Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga, Plane Captain & Certified Jet Mechanic in the SH-3H Helicopter 7
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
George Evans SGT
US Army
4 Years
US Army Reserve
Assignments included 1st Battalion 83rd Artillery Unit Baumholder, Germany. Attended First US Army NCO Academy
John Neil Frazier PFC
US Army
1970-1972
8
Vietnam
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK Lannie Guster, E-5
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
1970-1972 Financial Specialist Ft Greely, Alaska
Beatrice Guyton
US Air Force
4 Years
9-1/2 years Air National Radio OperationsGuard
(Communications Technology)
Tommy Guyton, PVT
US Army
9
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Alvin L. Hicks, SFC
Alabama National Guard
27 Years
Austin Holifield E-3
US Army
1951-1953
(Video Biography)
10
Korean War
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Clarence Horton, PFC
US Army & Army Reserve
2 Years
Ryan L. James, Sr. Gunnery MSGT
US Marine Corps
24 Years of Service
Michael Johnson, Colonel
US Marine Corps
28 Years of Service
PHOTO
Comptroller for 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
11
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Clarence King
US Army
2 Years
Marcus Matthews, SSgt
US Marine Corps
Retired: 20 Years of Service Persian Gulf, AMTRAK (Amphibious Assault Motor Vehicle Personnel), Instructor, Recruiter, Iraq War, Purple Heart
12
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Charles McMullin, III E-5
US Marine Corps
Roger R. Moore E-4
US Army
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
1972-1975
13
Veterans NAME & RANK Leon Nash, Sr. SFC
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army & Army Reserve
YEARS OF SERVICE 1974-2000 26 years: 3 years Active 23 years Army Reserve
Tommy N. Nollie, Jr. 1st Class
14
US Navy
1979-1999 Desert Storm
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK James F. Odom MSGT
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
PHOTO
21 Years of Service Duties in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Korea, Germany, Vietnam, the Middle East and Africa. Stateside duties were on Nike Missile sites and with Special Operations at Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Campbell, KY.
(Video Biography)
Thomas Penick
YEARS OF SERVICE
US Army
15
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
B. Roy Powell E-3
US Army Signal Corps
1963-1964
Stephen M. Reaves Specialist
US Army
4 Years 3rd ID Fort Stewart, GA Iraq
16
PHOTO
Veterans NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
Freddie E. Sawyers E-3
US Air Force
Lizzie B. Simpkins SP4
Women's 1957-1960 Army Corps Army Chemical Center, MD
Freddie L. Walters E-6
US Army & Army Reserve
(Video Biography)
PHOTO
1966-1969 Vietnam
36 Years of Service Desert Shield Desert Storm Vietnam
17
Veterans NAME & RANK Joe L. Williams, Jr. SP4
BRANCH OF SERVICE US Army
Thomas Earl US Air Force Williams, Airman 1st Class
YEARS OF SERVICE 1958-1960
1962-1966 Inact. Reserves 1966- 1968 Security Specialist /Military Police Stateside and Asia
Earl S. Wilson, Corporal
US Paratrooper (US Army)
1953-1956 188 Airborne Division Korean Veteran
18
PHOTO
Active Duty NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
John Askew, Lt. Colonel
US Air Force
Active Duty
Eric Foster, Jr.
US Army
Active Duty
Timothy Irwin
US Marine Corps
Active Duty
Donald LaQuitus Johnson
US Army
Active Duty
Benjamin Marshall
US Navy
Active Duty
PHOTO
19
Active Duty NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
William David McClung, III
US Army
Active Duty
Desmond Ross
US Air Force
Active Duty
Frederick Kendall Sawyers Lieutenant Colonel
US Air Force
Active Duty
Darion Young
US Marine Corps
Active Duty
20
PHOTO
Active Duty NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Henderson US Navy Williams, Jr.
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
Active Duty
21
Arlington Cemetery
“Gone, but never forgotten” NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
Sam Hopkins, III SGT
US Army
Caesar Huff, Corporal
US Army
22
YEARS OF SERVICE 1967-1970 Vietnam, 1967-1968 1953-1955 71st IMF Div. Band
PHOTO
NAME & RANK
BRANCH OF SERVICE
James Simpkins, MSGT
US Air Force
James Finch Corporal/ Technician Fifth Grade
US Army
Demetrius A. Nollie, Airman 1st Class
US Air Force
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO
20 Years Served in Vietnam War and the Cuban Crisis
1943 – 1946 World War II, Southwest Pacific, received the Good Conduct Medal, received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
1981-1984
23
24
Dear Lord, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made, and for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. By Joanna Fuchs "PEACE I leave with you, my peace I give you, not as the world gives do I give to you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -JOHN 14:27
25
BOOKLET UPDATES If any information contained in this program booklet is incorrect, please accept our sincerest apology. You and your family are so very important to us as we recognize our brave Sardis Veterans each year. If, throughout the year, you have an update, addition, or correction to this booklet, you are invited to complete the following information and return to the Sardis Missionary Baptist Church office or fax to 205-786-4425. All changes, updates, and corrections will be made immediately to the on-line document which can be printed in color or an individual program booklet can be printed at your request. If you wish to include a military photo, you may scan and email your photo to [email protected] or drop your photo off at the office. All original photos will be scanned and returned to the owner.
NAME & RANK
26
BRANCH OF SERVICE
YEARS OF SERVICE
PHOTO (OPTIONAL)
Thanks to those who provided information and photos for this booklet. Copies of this booklet are available online at www.sardisalive.org For more information about honoring American Veterans, please access the following website: http://www.va.gov/
27
