Pritzker Military Museum celebrates Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago is planning several events and programs throughout the month of February. Events exploring the history of Black/African Americans' legacy of service will be free and open to the community.
Programs include a free panel discussion: "Continuing to Serve: Reflecting on the History and Legacy of African American Service Members"; a webinar on "We Return Fighting: African Americans in World War I and the Early Civil Rights Movement"; and oral history recordings from four Black service members.
At 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, join the museum for a networking happy hour highlighting Black veteran nonprofits and social impact businesses in the Chicago region, followed by a panel discussion, both sponsored by AmeriVet Securities.
Retired Col. Krewasky Salter, a contributor to the book "We Return Fighting: World War I and the Shaping of Modern Black Identity," will moderate the panel discussion.
Panelists will include Victor LaGroon, Dr. James L. Miles, and Dr. Mary Roberson. The veterans will discuss their perspective of what service means for the Black community and how Black veterans have continued to give back and serve following their time in the military.
Complimentary tickets and information about the panelists can be found at www.pritzkermilitary.org.
Also, at 1 p.m. Feb. 10, there will be a webinar that focuses on African Americans that served in the Army during World War I aimed at students and educators.
Webinar attendees will learn how these veterans faced disfranchisement, segregation and racial violence. Attendees will also learn how the violence during the 1919 "Red Summer" awakened a generation of Black youth to become racially and politically conscious, and how these endeavors laid the foundations of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Museum educator Adam Foreman will explore the "Red Summer" and the early fight for equality. Attendees can register for the free webinar at www.pritzkermilitary.org/shop/events/upcoming-events.
"Black service members have made major contributions to our country's freedom and defense that must not be overlooked. Black History Month is but one opportunity for the Pritzker Military Museum & Library to celebrate and thank these heroes," said Susan Rifkin, interim CEO.
"Our programs are provided free to the public so that a larger audience can access education and understanding regarding the challenges that Black/African Americans endured."
In addition, the Holt Oral History Program will highlight four Black service members this month. The program is dedicated to conserving the unique stories of service of the citizen soldiers. This month's highlighted histories feature the stories of Curtis Morrow, a Korean War combat veteran who served in one of the U.S. Army's last all-Black units; James Capers, Jr., the highly decorated Marine who received a battlefield commission in Vietnam and was inducted into U.S. Special Operations Command's Commando Hall of Honor; Laurence Willborn, drafted into the Army in 1970, and served despite his opposition to the Vietnam War; and Glenda Dugar, whose 20-year military service began in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and included her being the only female soldier to graduate in her class from the U.S. Army's Airborne School.
"The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is proud to highlight the stories of Black men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country," said Dr. Matthew S. Muehlbauer, chief military historian.
"This month's featured oral histories illustrate the breadth and complexity of African American experiences with military service, from the challenges of racism to the capacity to excel as leaders and soldiers. We encourage you to listen to their experiences along with all of our oral histories."
The Museum & Library, 104 S. Michigan Ave., complies with Chicago's vaccine mandate. Visitors 2 years and older must wear a mask at all times while on the premises. Acceptable proof of vaccination includes a physical vaccine card, a photocopy of the vaccine card, a digital record or app on your phone, or a printed record from a vaccine provider. Visitors 16 years and older must also show a photo ID.
Advanced tickets are required for all events. Learn more and register at www.pritzkermilitary.org/celebrating-black-history-month.