Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A new monument was unveiled at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park on Saturday, honoring African-American veterans.
The monument has 12 columns that light up, and the names of 550 veterans, at this point.
A number of dignitaries were on hand for the event, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Congressman Brian Higgins and Mayor Byron Brown.
As the first of its kind in the nation, the African-American Veterans Monument will honor and recognize African Americans that have served in all 12 of the country’s major conflicts, beginning with the Revolutionary War in 1775. The design of the monument, 12 black concrete pillars representing each of those 12 wars illustrates the integrity, strength, and resilience of African American Veterans. A disenfranchised group, African American Veterans fought for the ideals of our country since its inception, despite being faced with unequal representation, disrespect, and disregard for their basic civil rights.
“We’ve worked extremely hard to get to this point. I’d like to thank our board members, volunteers, our design and construction team, and all of our sponsors and supporters," AAVM Chairman Warren Galloway stated. "Many of us African American veterans, such as myself, that fought in Vietnam returned home to hostility – we never received our ticker tape parade. For me and hopefully for others, this monument will be our ticker tape parade.”