All across America and around the world, this is Veterans Radio.
This is Veterans Radio.
Welcome to Veterans Radio.
I am Jim Fausone.
I'm the officer of the deck today.
We've got some great programs for you.
I think you'll find very interesting.
We always want to remind you you can find more about Veterans Radio at its Facebook site
or at the web.
VeteransRadio.org is our new URL, VeteransRadio.org.
Where we're on the web 24-7, you can find a lot of our podcasts there as well.
We post new ones every Tuesday, so you can get a new story, a new interview, something
you didn't know before by going to VeteransRadio.org.
And before we get started, we want to thank our sponsors.
First up, we want to thank National Veteran Business Development Council, NVBDC.org.
It was established to certify both service disabled and veteran owned businesses.
You'll find out how they can help your business by going to NVBDC.org.
We want to thank Legal Help for Veterans.
Legal Help for Veterans fights for veterans disability rights all across the nation.
You can reach them at 800-693-4800 or on the web at LegalHelpForVeterans.com.
We want to welcome to VeteransRadio today Robert B. Middleton II, the national commandant
of the Montford Point Marines of America.
Robert, welcome to VeteransRadio.
Robert Middleton II Well, it's an honor and a privilege.
Thank you very much for having me.
Robert Middleton II Well, this is an interesting group to talk about and it's got an upcoming
military banquet and awards ceremony on June 23rd of 2024.
It'll be held at Burton Manor in Lavonia, Michigan.
We're going to talk a little bit more about that.
But let's start with a little bit about you.
You spent five years in the Marine Corps and then went on to a quite incredible finance
and business consulting career.
Give us a thumbnail sketch of your background just so everybody can kind of go, oh man,
I can relate to that guy.
Robert Middleton II Oh, bless you, Robert.
Now let's see, I was in the United States Marine Corps, you know, five years altogether,
three years active, two years in a National Guard.
I served during the Vietnam era.
I was, well, I served in the Republic of Vietnam, 68-69, where I conducted, I was with the
Fort Air Command, I was in the Fixed Wing Unit, Fort Air Command, where I coordinated
the Fixed Wing Air strikes on enemy targets near the DMZ.
And so I'm proud of that heritage and that background with the United States Marine Corps.
After that, it came back to the United States.
I attended the University of Michigan, I majored in Political Science, Public Policy
Administration, got a background in Economics as well and Business Law.
I went on to form a successful consulting company with the background in finance and
financial services.
I was a consultant for over 25 years, specializing in marketing and management.
I provided financial services and consulting services to both the private and the non-profit
sector, board of directors, technical assistants as well.
And so here we are today.
I am now retired, well, Sima retired.
I enjoy supporting Marines, especially veterans of all military services.
And that's what I've been doing for about 15 to 20 years now.
Well, if you want something, give it to a busy man and you're a busy man so things get
done.
But let's do a little history.
Who were the Montford Point Marines?
The Montford Point Marines were the nation's first African Americans inducted into the
Marine Corps in 1942.
Before that time, there were no men of color in the ranks of the United States Marine
Corps.
And of course, upon being inducted, they act, Athe and I, in Washington, D.C., they were
afforded for training to a camp called, a segregated camp called Camp Montford Point,
New River, North Carolina, Camp of June, North Carolina.
And that's where the name comes from and why I want to bring out this history because folks
go, well, who are the Montford Point Marines?
Is that a city?
Where is that?
And it's the camp that this first group of African Americans sworn into the Marine Corps
were sent off to train down in, I guess it's Jacksonville, North Carolina is where it's
at.
So, and this all followed on the heels, if you will, of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's
executive order to desegregate the military.
It didn't quite work out very smoothly and certainly these Marines would have faced all
kinds of discrimination as they went south for their training and, but ultimately prove
themselves up, didn't they?
Absolutely.
That is absolutely correct, sir.
And they were segregated.
Although discrimination had been abolished by Franklin D. Roosevelt, some segregation
still remains.
And of course, in a place, if you will, where segregation, bitter racism existed and was
very prevalent throughout their training as well, on base as well as off base.
So no matter where they went, they were subject to bitter racism and racial segregation.
So yeah.
And I think it's, you know, this is particularly good that the association that you're the
head of is keeping this history alive so that our young Marines and our young people can
appreciate that history and see where we've come to and where we need to go.
I don't think we could imagine today a Marine Corps that didn't have the valiant service
of so many African Americans in it.
It's just unimaginable, isn't it?
Yeah.
Very much so.
It is a different Marine Corps now.
As a matter of fact, the Marine Corps professors that the Monford Point Marines, you know,
helped establish the Marine Corps and turn it into what it is today, you know, which
is an integrated well oiled green machine, you know, that picks on all ethnicities and
men of color and turns it into the most elite fighting force in the world.
Just to give our listeners some context here, and we're talking to the National Commandant
of the Monford Point Marines of America, Robert Middleton, just to give you some context,
listeners, between the seven-year period of 1942 to 1949, more than 20,000 men, this
would be African American men, were trained at Monford Point.
So it gives you some idea of the size of the impact that this initial cohort of men coming
forward to say, not only I want to serve, but I want to be a Marine, would have on today's
Marine Corps.
That was kind of recognized too, the significance of it by the awarding of a Congressional Gold
Medal, which is a pretty big deal, Robert.
You want to talk about that a little bit?
Yes, of course.
In fact, I played an integral role in helping that come about.
I collaborated closely with the Marine Corps and the Pentagon to arrange for travel arrangements
and lodging for those World War II Black Marines across the United States of America.
They were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Barack Obama and the 112th United
States Congress in the year 2012.
And at that time, there were approximately 400, 450 of those men from all over the United
States who had come to Washington, D.C., to participate in that ceremony.
And some of them had even checked out of hospice in order to be present for that ceremony
that hot summer.
It is an amazing tribute to a community when it receives the Congressional Gold Medal.
Obviously, not lightly given off, often given off when there has been historically overlooking
the service of various people and communities.
And so this goes to the whole Montford Point Marines.
Who gets the – were awarded the medals.
We've had Congressional Gold Medals issued to Nisei Japanese Americans who were in World
War II who got overlooked in a lot of accommodations.
There have been other groups like that.
But this must have been just an incredible day back in 2012 when this was awarded and
all your hard work paid off, Robert.
Well, I would say teamwork as opposed to my hard work.
We certainly had the cooperation of the United States Marine Corps, various legislators in
the United States Congress, including Miss Corrine Brown, John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi,
and numerous others.
So it was really a tremendous thing to see in a once in a lifetime situation, one of
those unique parts of history.
And it was really an honor to be a part of.
Yeah, really something.
I'm going to read what is the sort of organizational mission for Montford Point Marine Association.
But after I'm done with that, I'm going to have you put some bones – flesh on these
bones.
The Association supports educational assistance programs, veterans programs, community services
with an emphasis on improving the social conditions of the growing population of military veterans
who are disabled or senior citizens.
Almost every organization has a really good mission statement or vision statement.
Put some flesh on the bones of that.
Tell us what the Association's able to accomplish these days.
Well, number one is our mission is to preserve the historical legacy of America's first
black United States Marines.
In fact, I wanted to add that since that time of receiving the Congressional Gold Medal,
we continue not only to preserve their legacy, but also to seek and identify others who missed
the opportunity to receive that award and or their family members and to make the presentation
posthumously.
And as a result of that, we found a number of those Marines who had not, in fact, received
those honors.
At our banquet, as a matter of fact, in June, we will be awarding six Congressional Gold
Medals to designated family members of those first black United States Marines.
So that will certainly be it.
Oh, that's that's incredible that you're still able to find family representatives to reach
out to.
And as I say, it's a big deal for the community, not just the individual who Marine or family,
but it's really a community recognition.
So good transition.
Let's talk about it, the annual Heritage Military Banquet and Award Ceremony is coming
up on June 23.
It'll be held at Burden Manor in Livonia.
You have a very interesting program.
Start with telling us, you just told us a little bit about the Congressional Gold Medals
that will be handed out.
But tell us what else is planned for that evening.
Well, we will begin with our program.
We have a vocalist that will be singing the Star Spangled Banner banner for us.
We will have a 21-Den salute, posting of colors and taps, award presentations of Congressional
Gold Medal, the Centenary Award.
We had one of our Moffitt Point Marines is 101 years old.
He is one of our remaining approximately 350 to 400 of those first black, original black
Marines remaining in the United States.
His name is Mr. Butler Mott.
Yes.
So he will be receiving a special Centenary Award and the Spirit of Detroit Award.
So we have a young lady who was the first black transportation designer at the Ford Motor
Company.
And she, in fact, designed the 1994 Ford Mustang and Thunderbird.
She will be receiving the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Gold Medal by a gentleman from
California named Bill Montgomery who represents hidden pioneers.
He will be flying in here to make that award to her.
And of course, our keynote speaker is Major General Cornel Wilson, United States Marine
Corps retired former director of manpower and deserve affairs.
Okay.
And anytime you get a two-star general to show up, it's a big deal.
Tell us about General Wilson.
I met General Wilson, as a matter of fact, in 2012 following the presentation of the
Congressional Gold Medal.
In fact, I met him and his son at the Martin Luther King Statue.
And so we go all the way back to the year 2012.
And we remain friends all these many years.
And so Cornel Wilson is really an outstanding Marine at the top of his career and one of
the best in his profession.
And he's certainly a credit to the United States Marine Corps.
And we honor him.
We're talking to National Commandant Robert Middleton of the Montford Point Marines of
America and their upcoming gala on June 23rd.
Robert, before we run out of time here.
Hello, folks.
Hey, this sounds interesting.
I should go to this.
I should bring my uncle to this.
I should bring my grandson to this.
How do they find out more about the upcoming banquet and participate?
Absolutely.
They can go to our website at www.moffordpointmarinesamerica.org.
They can also contact me directly at 313, our headquarters number, 300.
0165.
And or email me at armiddleton underscore at hotmail.com.
Well, we think you'll have a great banquet here.
It's clearly a wonderful program.
It's keeping the history of these first Marines, African American Marines who went to Camp
Montford Point alive.
And I think that's important, as I said, for not only looking back, but looking forward.
Robert, thank you for some time here on Veterans Radio and for all that you're doing for future
Marines as well.
Well, thank you very much.
We certainly think that we have a lot to offer.
All ages, all branches of the United States military.
And of course, we look forward to this event on the 23rd of June, and there also will be
entertainment and dancing.
We want to add that into the mix as well for those who not only like to come in here,
but also like a little activity as well.
Yeah, and I skipped over.
There's undoubtedly food and drink as well.
I mean, it's a full banquet.
Yes, yes, it will be.
Well, again, thanks, Robert, for the time.
You are very welcome.
I'm very glad to have been a participant here.
And I want to thank everybody for listening to Veterans Radio today.
I am Jim Fossone.
It's been a pleasure to be your host.
I'm a Veterans Disability lawyer at Legal Help for Veterans, and you can reach us at
800-69-348-00 or legalhelpforveterans.com on the web.
You can follow Veterans Radio on Facebook and listen to its podcasts and internet radio
shows.
By visiting us at veteransradio.org.
That's veteransradio.org.
And until next time, you are dismissed.
If you have a VA claim denied by the Board of Veterans Appeals, contact Legal Help for
Veterans at 1-800-693-4800.
They're experts in handling cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Your number again, 1-800-693-4800.
We again want to thank our national sponsors, the National Veterans Business Development
Council, NVBDC.org, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, the Vietnam Veterans of America,
Charles S. Kettles Chapter, Ann Arbor, Michigan, VFW Graff O'Hara Post 423 in Ann Arbor, and
the American Legion Press Corn Post 46 also in Ann Arbor.
We appreciate all your support.
You can go to veteransradio.net, click on the sponsor level, and continue to support
keeping Veterans Radio on the air.
And until next time, you are dismissed.