Sun. May 24th marked the sixth annual African-American Military Heritage Day in Roxbury, MA. There were a couple hundred people who were on hand to pay homage to some of our brothers who fought in the cival war and died for a freedom that they never got the chance to see:

The sixth annual African American Military Heritage Day, which was organized by the Organization of Afro-American Veterans, celebrated black military history from Crispus Attucks, who died in the Boston Massacre to service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

"This is an opportunity once a year to have the community come together, look at our history, and see what should be corrected," said Ralph Browne, the organization's president.

Reenactors commemorating the Civil War-era 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the famous all-black unit, set up a camp to illustrate African-American military history. Benny White, a reenactor and retired Marine staff sergeant, said he was pleased to see so many people in attendance.

"We do this every year to honor all our veterans," he said. "But this is the first time we've had a crowd this big."

The 54th Massachusetts was recently reactivated as a National Guard unit, and its commander, Colonel Sterling D. MacLeod, was the event's keynote speaker. MacLeod said he was inspired by the history of the unit he now leads. "They entrusted me with the 54th, and it's an honor I hold to be the highest in my 30-year career," he said.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who attended, said that Memorial Day weekend should be more than just a day off from work.

"This is a time for people to stop their busy schedule and talk about the sacrifices others made for us," he said.

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