Black Servicemembers and Veterans Honored by Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs During Black History Month

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 2, 2023

The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is honoring County U.S. Uniformed Service members and veterans who are Black with detailed virtual tributes displayed on the County’s website to mark Black History Month. February is recognized as Black History Month. The tributes of County service members and veterans feature photos, background information and details of accomplishments during their military careers and afterward.

During Black History Month, the County Commission on Veterans Affairs joins in recognizing the sacrifices of Black servicemembers such as the Buffalo Soldiers, the Harlem Hellfighters and the Tuskegee Airmen. Montgomery County also honors the Black men and women who continue to serve the nation with honor and distinction.

The Black History Month tribute is being displayed online at  https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/ADS/VETERANS/BlackHistoryMonth.html.

Detailed tributes will also be displayed throughout February at Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall at the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. The Black History Month display is free to view any time the Civic Building is open to the public.

The main room of the building was dedicated in 2018 as Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall to pay tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers unit that was formed by Congressional legislation in the 1860s to allow African Americans to enlist in the United States military.

Michael Theard, president of the 9th and 10th (HORSE) Cavalry Association Greater Washington, D.C. chapter, has loaned several items about Buffalo Soldiers for the Veterans Black History display cases. The Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall was dedicated in honor of the heroic courage and sacrifice of the 92nd Infantry Buffalo Soldiers—African American soldiers who mainly served on the Western frontier following the American Civil War.

In 1866, six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments were created after Congress passed the Army Organization Act. Their main tasks were to help control the Native Americans of the Plains, capture cattle rustlers and thieves and protect settlers, stagecoaches, wagon trains and railroad crews along the Western front. To learn more about Buffalo Soldiers, visit www.buffalosoldiers-washington.com.

“Every veteran who has served in the history of the U.S. military has their own unique story,” said Wayne Miller, chair of the County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs. “It is the intent of our commission to allow residents to learn more about these remarkable people. The veterans we are honoring during Black History Month all have stories that the people of this County should know.”

A veteran can share their story, or someone can share the story of a friend or family member, by filling out the Commission’s Google form or filling out its PDF form. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

The following information is needed on the forms: 

• Servicemember or veteran's name.
• Name of person submitting information and relationship to the individual.
• Branch of service and rank.
• Years of service.
• Era served (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Global War on Terror or peacetime/other).
• Brief narrative of their service.
• City in Montgomery County the Veteran lives or lived. If the Veteran attended high school here, where did they graduate from?
• Photos (preferably one during their service and one present day).

By sending an email to be included, the sender agrees to have the information shared on the County's website and in the Commission on Veterans Affairs social media.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s thoughts on helping veterans can be found at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/veterans.

To learn more about the Montgomery Commission on Veterans Affairs, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cva.

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Release ID: 23-055
Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-205-1915