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President’s Message October 2008
United States Colored Troops Living History Association Membership USCTLHA Welcome to our new members who have felt the spiritual call of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and others, to join this network of dreamers. It is the call from our past which has caused us to become the seekers and keepers of the spiritual legacy of those we represent. What a privilege and honor we have been given to speak for the voices of those long since silenced. Recalling my memories as a boy sitting on a wood bench in a country church on some dusty road in back woods Tennessee, I am moved to preach in this Presidential Message this month. My father had a way of energizing the small country church membership by knowing just when to raise or lower his thundering voice, sometimes causing fear in us as my brothers and I felt that we where doomed to spent time in hell because of our lack of attention to his every word. The impetus to be preachy this month has evolved because I fear that as an organization we are not where we need to be as the celebration of the Civil War sesquicentennial is fast approaching in 2011. The centennial celebration came and went without mush of a whimper about the positive roles that African Americans played in this defining moment of America’s history. We were certainly acknowledged as slaves, but little attention given to our status as soldiers, spies, statesman, martyrs, Medal of Honor winners, mothers, fathers, leaders, and individuals with great character and integrity with a determination to survive. As members of the USCTLHA, we have taken on the yoke to assure that the legacy of our ancestors is not forgotten and again denied the respect and honor that they deserve. On paper the USCTLHA appears to be an awesome organization poised to help America embrace its true heritage. The membership of this organization contains some of the most recognized names in the African American civil war history community. If this organization could only focus all this talent and energy into a unified direction, no power on earth could keep us from fulfilling the mission of the USCTLHA. Without a doubt our cause is noble and our passion for our history is undeniable, we have only to fully commit to the challenge which stands before us. Let us all be clear on this one fact, membership in the USCTLHA will not bring the honor and rightful place in the history of the United States that we desire for African Americans, if this is all you bring to the table. A ten-thousand membership organization will not accomplish its purpose if the members are not united and committed to realizing the mission of the group. In my previous addresses I have ask you to step forward and join us actively in this effort. Unfortunately, the call to come to arms has only been answered by a handful of individuals. We must face the fact that the membership of this organization may be the only group of individuals in all of American who desire to see that African Americans take their rightful place in the fabric of American history. The month is October and the year is 2008, where do we go from this point in time? The price paid by our fore parents has been extraordinary to earn their place in history on the occasion of the sesquicentennial celebration. I am asking that each of us commit to a unified effort to be heard in our local churches, schools, and our homes. Collectively as an organization we can prevail in our mission. If you feel that the right leadership is not in place; then, I ask you to step forward and assume a leadership role in this organization. Our fore parents deserve every ounce of the talents and abilities that we have gained from their blood, sweat and tears to accomplish the mission of the USCTLHA. To this end, the Board of Directors of the USCTLHA extends an invitation to you to attend the next annual meeting of the USCTLHA in Nashville, Tennessee, January 23-25, 2009. This will be a working meeting focused on addressing a strategic plan to accomplish the mission of the USCTLHA. Currently, the members of the Board of Directors of your organization are busy drafting a plan of action for our organization to consider during our annual meeting. Malcolm Beech, chairperson of the planning committee, is on point for our strategic plan for action. In the interim, before January 2009, I am asking you to come together in your locale, or assemble together on a regional level, to discuss and develop plans and ideas to honor your history as it relates to the Civil War period in America. I must admonish you that words on paper mean nothing unless we are committed and have a logical plan to achieve set goals and objectives. I am looking for strong leadership and recommendations from our membership committed to research, and genealogical study to come forth with educational initiatives to tell our story. I am aware that Bennie McRae and others have begun some dialogue to develop a plan which presents the history of the USCT and their supporters in a logical sequence for easy comprehension. I am also looking for leadership and recommendations from the reenacting and living history community as to how to best give life and meaning to our history through demonstrations and presentations. Our former president, Joe Certaine, has committed himself to working on this aspect of our mission. I will follow this communication with more information on the annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee in a few days. We are currently negotiating with hotels to get the best prices for this event. Please mark your calendar and come on down to some good ole southern hospitality. It is probable that the Board will host another meeting in October of 2009, to advance the agenda set at our meeting in Nashville in January. In closing, I must commend the efforts of Michael Crutcher, the spirit of Frederick Douglass, and others, for their excellent program at Camp Nelson this year. The Civil War round table put together by Bennie McRae was nothing short of excellent. The history of Camp Nelson places it in a very important position in the history of the USCT and those who supported their efforts. It is a place of triumph and tragedy and we should all know the history there, as it covers the full spectrum of our history surrounding the Civil War period. I hope that in the future this organization will commit to helping educate the public regarding the legacy of Camp Nelson. The time has been 150 years in the making, NOW is our time to be heard! Your Obedient Servant George Smith, President [MESSAGES] [HOMEPAGE]
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