By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO
The Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade took place on Nov. 8, honoring the men and women who served in the U.S. military. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, members of the Baltimore Police Department and several Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) from area high school programs participated in the event, along with a variety of other local organizations and agencies.
“It means a lot for the mayor and the city to show up and celebrate veterans, especially on a Saturday,” said Nicholas Wright, a Navy veteran who served for six years. “My mother also served, and her advice is what got me through my time in Europe.”
The parade began at the Washington Monument and ended at War Memorial Plaza. Musical performances were given by the Baltimore Ravens band, as well as high school bands from Baltimore City Public Schools. The event was by General (Ret.) Larry R. Ellis, who served as parade grand marshal. Ellis is the first African-American four star general from Morgan State University. According to information released by the institution, he is “one of only six African Americans ever to hold the rank of Four Star General.”
KeSean Johnson, a member of the Veterans Commission for Baltimore City, spoke to the AFRO about the event. Johnson served in the United States Army Signal Corps for 11 years and was later medically retired.
“I tell people all the time that Baltimore is the best city I’ve ever lived in as a Black man,” said Johnson. “It means a lot to be celebrated by Baltimore City…being adopted into the historical record of the City’s veterans feels like a huge lottery win.”
“What got me through my deployment was my belief in HaShem (a Jewish term for “the name” of God) and the strength of my family,” said Johnson. “In the service, knowing that I was preceded by Black soldiers who paved the way for incredible democratic and patriotic advances in a country, played a big role.”
Johnson recognized the tough time many veterans are going through this November.
“Those of us who served learned how to execute under pressure, lead through difference and turn chaos into clarity,” he said.
This year, data from the annual point in time count of all homeless people in Baltimore City revealed that seven percent of Charm City’s homeless population is made up of veterans.
Aside from the issues addressed by the Veterans Commission, City leaders and a variety of organizations offer resources, such as the National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS) and the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET).
The resources are crucial for Black veterans who say they are still dealing with the aftermath of the traumatic experiences they lived through while serving.
“I have mixed feelings about this celebration,” said one U.S. Army veteran at the parade, who only wanted to be identified as “Quincy G.”
“Yes, it’s nice, but when I think about the horrible treatment I received when returning from the war as a Black man, it just feels like it’s another day,” he said.
Quincy’s service in the U.S. Army began in the Vietnam War at eighteen years old. He served for three years and five months.
“I am proud of my time serving, but it was harder than you can imagine,” said Quincy. “Jesus Christ is the only thing that got me through.”
