A Salute to Black Veterans, Saturday

A WWII African American soldier. Photo Courtesy of Still Picture Branch (NNSP) of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Many services – health, housing and education – are available to veterans. But, retired banker, Bob Samuels believes many veterans don’t know about their benefits.

“Things change over the years. Lots of them are unaware of their entitlements especially Vietnam veterans, Korean veterans,” Samuels said.

Samuels spent four years in the Air Force in the 1950s and credits the military with building his self confidence as a young black man from Philadelphia. He believes there’s a need for a forum focused specifically on black veterans.

On parade, the 41st Engineers at Ft. Bragg, NC in color guard ceremony. Courtesy of the National Archives.

“They’re sort of an overlooked part of the population because they’re not very visible and very vocal,” Samuels said.

So, he organized the Salute to Black Veterans on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Educational workshops start at 8:30 in the morning with the ceremony and salute at 4 pm followed by a reception at Hillsborough Community College, Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa.

WAACs at work in Temp. Bldg. `M’, Washington, DC, WAAC Headquarters. Left to right: Lts. Harriet West and Irma Cayton. 1942.Wilfred Morgan.

Samuels said he’s enlisted help from the first black Thunderbird, Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton  (Ret.), and the first black general with special forces, Brigadier Gen. Remo Butler (Ret.).

Although the focus is to attract black veterans, Samuels said all veterans are welcome to attend the free event.