Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
Somber observances of Memorial Day in Guilford County honored fallen U.S. military servicemembers. At memorials and cemeteries, high praise for the valiantly honored, those men and women who died in the air and on the ground in various combat theatres, most notably Europe, the Pacific, and Vietnam.
The three-day weekend of observances began on May 24 with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2087, gathering at east Greensboro’s historic Maplewood Cemetery. Boy Scouts from three local Troops 101, 441 and 723 opened the ceremony by carrying a red, white and blue wreath. VFW Post member Justin Washington spoke about the courage, bravery and honor of fallen Black service members.
“Today, as we stand in the quiet dignity of Maplewood Cemetery’s military section, we pause to reflect, not just on sacrifice, but on strength,” said Washington, continuing, “Not just on patriotism, but on the often-overlooked courage of Black Americans who fought for a country that had not yet fully fought for them.”
Washington singled out Pvt. First Class Howard Lee Haynie, who was a dump truck driver in World War II. Howard served honorably, “segregated by policy, but not by valor,” said Washington, explaining, “And he did it in uniform, wearing the colors of a country that denied him a seat at many tables back home.”
Area residents also gathered Sunday, May 24, at the Guilford County Veterans’ Memorial inside Country Park in northwest Greensboro to remember fallen service members. Speakers addressed the duty, honor, and commitment to country embraced by U.S. military personnel. Susan Danielsen, chair of the Veterans Memorial Committee, spoke about the rehabilitation and expansion of the 23-year-old memorial.
Under rainy skies, the Triad’s largest Memorial Day ceremony occurred in the Carolina Field of Honor in Colfax, straddling Guilford and Forsyth Counties. Keynote Speaker was Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Colt, who spoke about the importance of remembering the names of all military men and women who died in combat.
