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The National Museum of African American History and Culture (@NMAAHC) celebrated Veterans Day showing how African-American soldiers have had a history of pulling double duty, fighting for freedom overseas while campaigning for equality in the United States.
In a historical retrospective The Smithsonian shared photos of what life was like for Black military personal who were expected to fight for the "American way of life" while they were not allowed to experience it. From the Revolutionary War to the latest wars fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, African-American women and men have laid down their lives for a country that has a long history of brutality against their people.
It's a history lesson we should all learn.
African American soldiers have served in every war in the United States. In choosing to join the military, African… https://t.co/uznngFoQxF— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541947972.0
African American men and women who engaged in the military made their service useful not only for the good of their… https://t.co/451QPG1rQG— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541948191.0
Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 African Americans served in the Colonial Forces; an estimated 20,000 served with the B… https://t.co/MEAHLxZfsa— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541948330.0
In the War of 1812, from 12 to 20% of the U.S. Navy was African American. At least 350 African Americans fought in… https://t.co/m3up3KP8CU— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541948952.0
More than 179,000 African Americans served in the Union Army. 20,000 to 30,000 served in the Union Navy. More than… https://t.co/AAu598KubD— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541949116.0
During #WWI, 367, 710 African Americans were drafted and roughly 400,00 served in the still segregated military. Mo… https://t.co/NZ4lqT3Lfx— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541950873.0
During #WWII, approximately 1.2M African Americans served—including 6.5K in the Women’s Army Corps (WACS). The Doub… https://t.co/mFNRdwynAH— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541951571.0
During the Vietnam War, more than 275K African Americans served in the military and over 7K African Americans were… https://t.co/P0WkDF9Tok— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541952344.0
Search our collection to see objects related to the African American military experience: https://t.co/4OhGlh3sf7… https://t.co/9mlTyiu5YI— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@Smithsonian NMAAHC) 1541953018.0
People on Twitter were grateful for the perspective and history.
@NMAAHC A great thread! Thank you to All the African American soldiers who have bravely served this country throughout its history! 🙏🏾🇺🇸— PIC23-MJI⚖️ (@PIC23-MJI⚖️) 1541956871.0
@NMAAHC Thanks to each and every one, past and present, for sacrifice and service to a nation still struggling to t… https://t.co/SIuPsorVNc— MikeAustin (@MikeAustin) 1541966496.0
@NMAAHC And all too often, they had to fight the government for the right to prove themselves in combat. There is n… https://t.co/OvIBRA4rbo— Kurt Weldon (@Kurt Weldon) 1541983112.0
@NMAAHC Absolutely! Thanks @NMAAHC That’s why I chose to serve and why I’m still serving!— Dex McCain (@Dex McCain) 1541951434.0
@NMAAHC Happy #VeteransDay thanks for your service and sacrifices #NeverForget #SundayMorning #SundayMotivation— Deborah Young (@Deborah Young) 1541950346.0
Others shared personal stories of service and sacrifice.
@NMAAHC The first African-American combat pilot, Eugene Bullard, flew for the French during WWI. He was later award… https://t.co/U4WPVP03Y0— SwPitch (@SwPitch) 1541949561.0
@NMAAHC @POPinDC an African American Master Sgt gave my 4 year old father a parachute canister full of food and s… https://t.co/ZEmOTr1iRy— Kresy-Siberia (@Kresy-Siberia) 1541952204.0
@NMAAHC Our men served with BRAVERY https://t.co/gQtcbIHgqa— Rose M. Grundy (@Rose M. Grundy) 1541966634.0
@NMAAHC Korea. @USArmy Ret. https://t.co/U68N9C1a2h— Page 30 (@Page 30) 1541970631.0
@NMAAHC @LaFemme_Negrita Yes, we have served. My grandfather in the Army. My father in the Air Force. 40 years ago,… https://t.co/P6Kn761iDZ— BILL NOAKES (@BILL NOAKES) 1541989487.0
@NMAAHC Don't forget Doris Miller who defended his ship while others fled & then saved who he could before jumping… https://t.co/lXkDGlLEeV— Brian / ブライアン (@Brian / ブライアン) 1541983938.0
@NMAAHC @DrJLMooreIII Thank you, Grandpa Fears, for your service! #InMemoriam #TuskegeeAirman #HenryHankFears #HisLegacyLivesOn— Dr. ECFFloyd (@Dr. ECFFloyd) 1541957676.0
@NMAAHC Check out 'William "Billy" Lee' and General/President George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Reppin from the beginning.— Jay Nice (@Jay Nice) 1541967070.0
@NMAAHC https://t.co/llDbAGYwso— DimetriosVandiegriff (@DimetriosVandiegriff) 1541998429.0
@NMAAHC @RevJJackson Thank you to my Father, Uncles and most of all My 100 year old Grandfather who served in the M… https://t.co/WzsZ2ERZGB— Derek Daniel (@Derek Daniel) 1542019499.0
Thank you for your service.