Patriotic red, white and blue ribbons and wreaths, freshly pressed suits, pearls and military dress decorated the American Legion Manassas Post 114 Charter Members Memorial Breakfast held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel on May 16.
Manassas Mayor Harry J. Parrish, Councilmen Mark Aveni and Ken D. Elston, and Prince William County Sheriff Glen Hill attended the special ceremony to honor the history of the American Legion Manassas Post 114 founded by 16 war veterans in 1946.
The 12Â original World War I veteran charter members included French R. Bates, Landon J. Bates, George Buckner, John C. Chapman, Jack Gaines, Sr., Samuel D. Grayson, Charles E. Harris, Benjamin Hill, George C. Lomax, Robert R. Pickett, Thomas H. Phillips and Elton S. Sheppard. The four World War II veterans included Samuel W. Davis, Jr., Robert A. Lansdowne, Spencer Norris and William J. Short.
Dr. Renee Anderson, Head of Collections for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture and Manassas native was a guest speaker.
Post Commander Julian Rozzell said, “It is a great honor to give homage and remembrance to those courageous World War I and World War II soldiers that served this nation proudly during a tumultuous period in their life as an American citizens of color.”
The event incorporated elements of somber reflection and voices of joyous inspiration with Commander Rozzell, Second Vice Commander Donald Scoggins, Comrade George Bodie, Comrade George Odom, and Dora Brooks, American Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary. The traditional presentation of the colors were performed with discipline and splendor by the Osbourne Park High School Navy ROTC followed by a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Cadet Naomi Pariona.
Brooks welcomed all the Post members, families and guests to the event and said, “Reflect on the meaning of valor and on how these brave warriors helped to change the course of history.”
Commander Rozzell and Mayor Parrish unveiled and presented a brand new charter members plaque, a beautiful memorial emblazoned with the original charter members of 1946.
A hushed reverence fell over the crowd during Bodie’s moving POW resolution.
“The small table set for one symbolizes the dedication, courage and sacrifice of those who answered the call to battle,” Bodie said
Dr. Anderson gave a presentation on the collections of the new Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture museum opening in the late summer 2016.
Dr. Anderson said, “Highlights of the collection include a plane and a train – a PT-13D Stearman open cockpit bi-plane (c. 1941) used to train the famed Tuskegee Airmen for Army Air Corps service during World War II and a Jim Crow railroad car (c. 1922).
Dr. Anderson articulated the importance of preserving and sharing African American history with tales of retrieving amazing historical items for posterity. She invited all those in attendance to donate and to come to the opening of the museum.
Commander Rozzell shared the charter member’s personal historical background at the event compiled after months of document collection and interviews with family and friends. These 16 American Legion Manassas Post 114 charter members paved the way for all Americans to serve their country with dignity and honor. These men were bound by a shared pride of service to God, country and family.
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