In an effort to provide a more complex perspective of military service that addresses the intersectionality of what it meant/means to be Black and to serve in the Military, this community panel discussion will engage local Black veterans to share their personal experiences and memories of being in the military.  Panelists represent military service from the late 50’s up until the 2000s. They will share their perspective of being a “Government Issue” G.I. as it related to housing, uniforms, jobs, and other aspects of serving in various branches of the military.

Panel participants served as both regular military, and reservists. One panelist will share their experience of being a military spouse. Questions will be posed about their military experiences and how it related, or didn’t, to their being Black. Please note, we will not be discussing combat experience due to the sensitive nature of this topic.

Doug Griffin, a veteran who grew up in Holyoke, will moderate the panelists which include Mr. John Kennedy, Mr. James Odom, Mr. Marvin Dotson and Mrs. Lenora Tiggle.

This panel discussion has been funded in part by a Holyoke Local Cultural Council grant , a Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board Veterans Heritage Preservation Grant, and The Wistariahurst Foundation.

I Was a Black G.I.: A Retrospective
A Live, In-person Panel Discussion at Wistariahurst

Saturday July 9, 2022 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm