Rebirth of Freedom Commemorative Memorial Marker

WHEREAS, Black veterans who served in the Revolutionary War, or are currently serving, and will serve in our future wars into perpetuity deserve our tribute and recognition; and

WHEREAS, members of the U.S. Colored Troops of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and post-Civil War Buffalo Soldiers are among the 37,000 buried at Wood National Cemetery adjacent to the Old Soldiers Home; and

WHEREAS, Black men and women — slave and free — have fought in all our Nation's wars for American freedom and liberty; and

WHEREAS, Blacks of the United States Armed Services have demonstrated their commitment and loyalty to this nation and upheld the principals of democracy; and

WHEREAS, a commemorative salute is an appropriate tribute to preserve the dignity, identity and stories of all those who gave their "last full measure of devotion" to this Country in ways we cannot fully repay; and

WHEREAS, the Milwaukee National Soldiers Home Historic District was first created in 1867 as the National Home for the Disabled and Volunteer Soldiers as one of three original such sites; and WHEREAS, this oldest preserved Soldiers Home in the country, which was established through one of the last pieces of legislation signed by President Abraham Lincoln; and WHEREAS, Milwaukee is the host city for the 96th National Convention, July 9 – 14, 2005.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP endorses the placement of a commemorative memorial to Black Veterans on the grounds of Soldiers Home District of the Veterans Administration on 8 July 2005, in collaboration with the Clement J. Zablocki Medical Center, the Milwaukee NAACP Branch, National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS), and a diverse coalition of Milwaukeeans and community organizations; and

BE IT FINALLLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP joins the Milwaukee Branch in "The Rebirth of Freedom Commemorative Memorial Marker" ceremony.