Pritzker Military Museum & Library honors Black History Month
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago is honoring Black History Month by sharing oral histories from Black/African American service members.
"Black service members have made major contributions to our country's freedom and defense that must not be overlooked," said Susan Rifkin, interim CEO at Pritzker Military Museum & Library. "Black History Month is but one opportunity for the Pritzker Military Museum & Library to celebrate and thank these heroes."
The museum's Holt Oral History Program will highlight four Black/African American service members this month.
The Holt Oral History 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 as 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 complies with Chicago's vaccine mandate. Visitors two 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 aged 16 years and older must also show a photo ID.
Learn more by visiting the PMML Black History Month webpage at www.pritzkermilitary.org/celebrating-black-history-month.
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library aims to increase the public's understanding of military history, military affairs, and national security by providing a forum for the study and exploration of our military - past, present, and future - with a specific focus on their stories, sacrifices, and values. With national and global reach, these spaces and events aim to share the stories of those who served and their contributions as citizen soldiers, helping citizens everywhere appreciate the relationship between the armed forces and the civilians whose freedoms they protect. A non-governmental, non-partisan organization, the museum and library features diverse collections, scholarly initiatives, and public programs from its flagship center in downtown Chicago to its world-class research center and park currently under construction in Somers, Wisconsin.