Sailors at Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes celebrated African American/Black History Month themed “Honoring the Past, Securing the Future” Feb 25.

This year, the Department of Defense has commemorated the 75th Anniversary of World War II by acknowledging the sacrifices of service members.

During that time, over 2.5 million African-American men and women registered for the Army, Army Air Forces, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and War Department.

Examples of those heroes and patriots include the 452nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

The 452nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, an all-African-American anti-aircraft artillery unit in the U.S. Army, is credited with taking down 88 German warplanes, 68 of those with confirmed kills and 19 as partially confirmed kills.

Led by Commander Charity Adams Earley, the all-Black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was formed to sort and clear a two-year backlog of mail for Americans stationed in Europe. Between the Army, Navy, Army Air Forces, Red Cross, and uniformed civilian specialists, that amounted to seven million people awaiting their mail. Their motto, “No Mail, Low Morale.”

Guest speaker for the event was Retired Sergeant First Class Darryl Holmes, who served for 22 years as an Equal Opportunity Management Specialist in the Army.

“When I joined the military, leadership was not represented by people of color or gender. Now the military has evolved, not because we changed with society, rather we put national security above racial and gender division.” Holmes said. “The military has improved because from the lowest enlisted to the highest officer, the military culture has seen past the racial and cultural division and embraced the diversity and the strength it brings.”

CSCSU Great Lakes Commanding Officer Capt. Ricardo Enriquez spoke to the audience about the diversity of the Navy and highlight the contributions of Black Americans, past and present who have served and continue to serve.

“Our great Nation and Navy is strengthened and enriched by citizens of every race, religion, color and creed,” Enriquez said. “This month, we celebrate the cultural heritage, diverse contributions, and unbreakable spirit of our African American brothers and sisters. African Americans have been serving our country through Naval service since the revolutionary war with heroism and courage that all too often went unrecognized. I know we are proud of our Navy and its commitment to racial equality.”

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