MILITARY HISTORY MILESTONEREMEMBERED IN BALTIMORE

Morgan State UniversityReserveOfficerTrainingCorps(ROTC) Cadet Elise Adamsstoodfirmlybehindthe campuspodium addressing a room of200 AfricanAmericanVeterans

and their supporters with astrong, authoritative voice, afirm hand and a determined,focused gaze. Lookingat her,the audience at the Black

Cadet Elise Adams

History Month commemoration

ceremony couldn't help but feel they were getting aninside glimpse into the future of the Army.

Adams spoke passionately of, the desegregation of

the military60 years ago, stating it was "a directresult of the bravery, tenacity and accomplishmentsof brave men." Exhibiting many of these qualitiesherself, Adams' potential to rise within the Armyranks is consistent with Morgan State's long tradition

of producing many of the Army's senior AfricanAmerican leaders.

Halfofthe AfricanAmerican officers in the U.S. Armywere produced by 21 Historically Black Collegesand Universities. As one of the most influential of

these universities in the U.S. today, Morgan State

has produced 10 Army General Officers, includingGeneral William E. Ward (pictured on page 4), thefirst commander of the new U.S. Africa Command

(AFRICOM).

At the university that February afternoon,Cadet Adams addressed the military and

civilian audience members as a guestspeaker supporting the launch of a year-longcommemoration of the 60th anniversaryof the signing of Executive Order 9981 by

President Harry Truman (pictured). FewAmericans may be aware of the thousandsof personal stories reflecting a decades-longstruggle by minorities who chose to join theranks of Soldiers and pursue Armycareers.

"Many black servicemen risked death and dishonor indefiance of unlawful orders during WorldWar II," shesaid. "Their actions some ten years before the CivilRights Movement gained them honor and respectthat they and former Buffalo Soldiers rightfullyearned. Their courage certainly played a significant

part in the decision made byTruman in 1948 to issue

Executive Order 9981,

which brought an end toofficial segregation inthe armed forces."

/

Continuedon page4. '-- Harry STruman

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Page 4 FreedomTeamSalute.com

AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIPIN THE U.S. ARMY Continuedfrom page 1.

Desegregation of the U.S. military enabled significantachievements by people of color. With the right to choose a career

in the U.S. Army, many African Americans accomplished military

and historic firsts - some of these are very well-known whileothers are far less visible.

African Americans who

participate today in ROTC

programs at HistoricallyBlack Colleges andUniversities are shapingthe future of Army

Most Americans, for instance, Leadership. Cadet Elisewill be able to identify General Adams (featured on(Ret.) Colin Powell (pictured), the cover) understands

who in 1~89 became the. this. . She is one more, . yo'u'ngesfan<f= first blacr ~ Af~~n Am;rkan Soldi'~~

,.' General (Ret.)ColinPowell

Chairmanof the JOintChiefs who is carrying on theofStaff. From2001 to 2005, traditionof serviceto ourcountrybyseekinga leadershiproleinPowellwas the first African the military. You can learn more about HistoricallyBlackAmerican to be appointed Colleges and Universities and their impact upon militarySecretaryof State. leadershipbyvisitingwww.freedomteamsalute.com.

General William E.Ward

THE SALVTE 0 NLI NESign up to receive TheSalute onlineedition.Expandedcontent and bonus featuresnot available in thepnnt editIOnare availableexclusivelyonlme.

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ARMy TRIVIAu.s. Army Diversity Trivia.

Test your awareness and know/edge of

u.s. Army diversity:

SOLDIERSHOW BEGINS 25TH SEASONFreedomTeam Salute is one of the proud sponsorsof the 25th annual U.S.Army Soldier Show.Featuring"entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier" ina simulated deployedsetting in Iraq, the live musical entertainment is showingat installations in the U.S. and Europe.

l.~.?~~e first Ja'pan~e-~merica~ - -~. . . - --- - ~- ~ ~-"-'-.to achieve the rank of bngadler The U.S. Army Soldier Show traces its roots to the legendary Irving Berlin, one

general in the U.S. Army? of the most prolific American songwritersof all time. Berlin wrote "God BlessAmerica" while serving in the U.S. Army. In 1917 he created a musical showfor the Armyto boostmoraleduring wartime. A 1943 Hollywoodmotion picture,This /s the Army, immortalized Berlin's influential showand his music.

2. Whowasthe first Asian/PacificIslanderChief of Staff of the U.S.Army?

3. Whowas the first Hispanic to achievethe rank of brigadiergeneral in theU.S. Army?

4. Whowas appointed by the Chief ofStaff of the Army to headthe Army'sDiversityTaskForce?

Answerson page6,

I,I

IJ.

Cpl. Amber Jones, a parachute riggerstationed at Fort Bragg, NC, rehearsesa dance routine for the 2008 U.s. ArmySoldier Show. Opening night for the seven-month tour of installations across theUnited States, Germany, Belgium and Italywas April!1 at Fort Belvoir,VA. (Photo byTomHipps,USAFMWRCPublicAffairs).

Today, the Army Entertainment Division is thelargestproducerof live entertainment in the world.Army community theaters alone stage more than900 productionsannually worldwide for audiencestotaling a quarter of a million. Since 1983, theannual U.S.ArmySoldierShowis stagedentirelybyactive duty Soldierswho travel more than 25,000miles performing for audiences totaling morethan 100,000. Visit U.S. Army MWR online athttp://www.armymwr.com/andclick on "Recreation& Leisure" to learn more.