My grandfather was born in Grafton, Vermont – a son of an escaped slave, my great – grandfather.

My grandfather was a Sargent in the Company M 369th Infantry, also known at the ‘Harlem Hell Fighters’.

My father did not know this information about his father. My grandfather died when my father was about three or four years old and was kept away from this side of the family by my grandmother.

I think about the men in my family – my great-grandfather who escaped slavery aboard a Union ship and served the unit as a corporal.

And, my father who served in the Korean war.

All proud Black men who fought for this country in times of war and were model citizens during peace. My great-grandfather built a homestead in Grafton and was a respected citizen of the community. My grandfather settled in New York and worked as a butcher to support his family. My father was a parole officer who would provide odd jobs for his parolees when they didn’t any other source of legal income so they would not go back to prison.

Yet, they faced incredible amounts of racism and discrimination. More to come on those stories – but for now, I just want to celebrate their existence! Rest in Power, Turner men.