African American exhibit unveiled at Pentagon
WASHINGTON (AFNS) - The National Guard Bureau's historical exhibit, "Four Centuries of Service: African Americans in the Militia and National Guard," was officially unveiled August 17th in the Pentagon by William E. Leftwich II, deputy assistant secretary of defense for equal opportunity.
Lt. Gen. Russell C. Davis, the newly-appointed chief and highest ranking Guardsman was the featured speaker.
Part of the "African Americans in Defense of Our Nation" commemorative corridor, the Guard's exhibit which consists of narrative, period artwork and photographs, joins those of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
The National Guard Bureau commissioned African American artist Bobb Vann of Tubac, Ariz., to produce drawings of colonial militia for the exhibit. His original oil depicting the African American "Minutemen" who fought at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill in 1775 form part of the exhibit's title panel.
The multi-service historical exhibits will be on permanent display in the Pentagon, where, as part of the guided tour, they will be seen by more than 200,000 visitors a year.
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