MAYS LICK | An internationally significant event took place Sunday at the site of one mans humble beginnings in Mays Lick. The occasion was the official dedication of the restored family log cabin of U. S. Army Col. Charles Young on Kentucky 324. The dedication, entitled The Man, The Mission, The Facts, proved to be a gathering for dignitaries from around the world including Retired USA Lt. General William E. Ward, who commanded the U.S. Africa Command to Chief Methuselah Z. O. Bradley IV, consulate of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Also in attendance was Youngs great-grandson, Dennis Russell, who spoke at the dedication, and his wife, Sherrie; and another descendant, Lawrence Young. The day-long event began with a commemoration service at the Second Baptist Church in Mays Lick, followed by a reception at the property beginning at 1:30 p.m. Those in attendance were the first to view a bronze maquette (statue) of Young, mounted on horseback, on display in the restored cabin. Master Sculptor Antonio Tobias Mendez created the maquette. The maquette will now travel to Louisville for a similar ceremony and exhibition at the Kentucky Center for African American Studies. The maquette exhibition is part of the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations campaign to have Young posthumously promoted to brigadier general. Many involved with the promotion campaign, and those who spoke Sunday, feel had it not been for the political and social era during which Young served, (1889 - 1922), he would have been the first black brigadier general in the United States Armed Forces. Im doing this because its the right thing to do, said Major General Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General Kentucky Army National Guard, after announcing he has appointed Young an Honorary Guardsman of the Kentucky National Guards. Gov. Steve Beshear also approved the appointment. Lend your support to the movement, Tonini said to the large crowd gathering. Tonini said he has also penned a letter to President Barack Obama, expressing his support for the promotion of Young to brigadier general. Commissioner of Kentucky Veteran Affairs Heather French Henry also announced her department is supporting the promotion campaign. Featured speakers of the event included: Sr. Vice Commander, Simon Kenton VFW Post 2734 Robert Berry; Maysville Community and Technical College President Dr. Ed Story; Mason County Judge-Executive James L. Buddy Gallenstein; Maysville Mayor David Cartmell; Dennis Russell, Charles Young descendant; Kentucky Tourism Secretary Bob Stewart; Brian Shellum, author of Black Officer in a Buffalo Soldier Regiment; NCBVO Chairman Charles Blatcher III; Commissioner of Kentucky Veteran Affairs Heather French Henry; U.S. Congressman Fourth District Thomas Massie; Chief Methuselah Z.O. Bradley IV, Esq., Honorary Consul for the Government of Sierra Leone; Major General Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General Kentucky Army National Guard; Lt. General William E. Ward, USA, Retired, Inaugural Commander, U.S. Africa Command; Howard Jackson, Chairman, National Minority Military Museum Foundation; and Randall Young of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, of which Young was an honorary member. The Morehead Black Gospel Ensemble, Mason County High School JROTC, Rev. Rodney Bennett, Christy Berry and Peggy Overly also participated in the public reception. Millicent Harding, MCTC Director of Cultural Diversity, presided as mistress of ceremony. Stewart said there is a great market for tourism opportunities at the cabin site and property, due to Youngs military legacy. Its an important day for the Commonwealth and the nation, Stewart said. The ceremony concluded with Blatchers reading of an eulogy published in February 1922 issue of Crisis Magazine, written by historian and NAACP founder W.E.B. DuBois. Young is buried in Arlington Cemetery. For more than four years, the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations has worked to have Young promoted posthumously to the rank of brigadier general. Though Youngs home in Wilberforce, Ohio, was designated a national monument under the National Park Service by President Barack Obama on March 25, 2013, the president hasnt moved on the NCBVO requests and petitions to approve the posthumous promotion. Young was born into slavery at the log cabin in Mays Lick in 1864. His family later moved to Ripley, Ohio and he went on to have a distinguished military career, that included many firsts for African-American soldiers in the United States Army. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1889; served as a Buffalo soldier, as well as military attache to Haiti and Liberia during his career; served in the Spanish-American War; and served as acting superintendent of Sequoia National Park, among other achievements. Source: maysville-online/news/local/dignitaries-public-attend-young-cabin-dedication/article_2518658e-e045-5092-8f11-953e6f6b0b17.html
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:25:40 +0000
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