Conexión San Angelo newsroom, Jim Sánchez
Goodfellow Air Base Command Sgt. Maj. Sudan Baker invited to the Buffalo Soldier Memorial ceremony on Friday, July 28, 2023, read Executive Order 9981 and what it signified for the 20th century African American soldiers in the military.
SAN ANGELO – Two historical dates closely related to the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers occurred. The first one, July 26, 1948 was when President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981.
75 years later a second significant date occurred on July 28, 2023 when the San Angelo local chapter of the NAACP held a memorial ceremony to honor the Buffalo Soldiers’ history and legacy.
“The Buffalo Soldiers served in the post-Civil War era faced immense challenges and discrimination during their time yet demonstrated unwavering dedication, courage, and resilience while serving and protecting this great nation” said Goodfellow Air Force Base, Lt. Colonel John McAlister.
Col. McAlister was followed by GFAB Command Sgt. Maj. Sudan Baker who read what Executive Order 9981 represented.
“On July 26, 1984, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, creating the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services. The order mandated the desegregation of the U.S. military. The first point in the executive order states ‘It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.’”
The 9 a.m. ceremony took place adjacent to the Paseo de Santa Angela Park.
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