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From YouTube: National Rededication of the Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial - 6/1/22
Description
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu offers remarks at the National Rededication of the Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial.
A
54Th
massachusetts,
who
have
traveled
to
be
here
today
from
their
headquarters
in
washington.
D.C
next
in
column,
are
the
currently
serving
soldiers
of
company
c
honor
guard
command,
led
today
by
captain
chris
pond
company
c,
is
comprised
of
soldiers
from
various
army
guard
commands
across
the
commonwealth
and
conducts
thousands
of
military
funerals
each
year.
A
The
54th
regiment
is
supported
today
by
numerous
historical
allies
represented
by
the
officers
and
men
of
the
new
england
brigade
and
led
by
colonel
tom
brida
and
sergeant
mater
tom
beerli.
The
regiments
represented
here
today
include
the
8th,
the
15th,
the
20th,
the
28th
massachusetts
infantry.
The
first
massachusetts
calvary,
the
6th
hampshire
and
the
8th,
connecticut
infantry.
A
B
B
C
D
D
E
E
E
E
D
D
G
G
G
G
G
H
A
A
Many
of
you
may
not
know
that
this
national
rededication
is
very
important.
It's
one
of
the
ten
monuments
that
changed
america,
that's
what
this
monument
has
been
called.
We
have
amazing
presenters
and
gracious
hosts
the
partnership
to
renew
the
shaw
54th
memorial
since
the
monuments
1897
unveiling.
A
More
information
on
the
work
of
the
partnership
is
available
in
your
program,
including
a
qr
code
link
to
the
new
shaw
54th
website,
with
access
to
all
programs,
online
exhibits
and
events
and
activities
today
and
in
the
future.
I
also
encourage
you
to
drop
by
the
witness
to
history
tent,
that's
down
on
the
common
immediately
after
this
program,
where
you'll
find
a
printed
list
and
qr
code
for
happenings
around
boston
to
commemorate
the
54th
and
this
memorial.
A
I
When
we
talk
about
the
formation
of
this
nation,
we
must
recognize
that
what
cost
it
has
been
to
the
native
american
to
the
enslaved
african
and
that
to
work
towards
social
justice.
Today,
we
must
tell
these
truths
and
fully
own
their
continued
impact
on
how
things
are
today
on
the
reality
of
today.
I
I
I
I
In
2018,
the
national
park
service,
the
city
of
boston,
the
friends
of
the
public
garden
and
the
museum
of
african
american
history
came
together
to
restore
the
physical
condition
of
this
renowned
work
of
art.
Over
three
million
dollars
was
invested
by
the
partners
to
ensure
that
this
memorial
will
inspire
and
speak
to
generations
to
come.
I
I
We
convened
a
series
of
provocative
community
conversations,
as
you
heard,
from
karen
about
the
power
of
public
monuments
and
why
they
do
matter,
especially
in
these
fraught
political
times
more
important.
Now
than
ever
to
to
lift
up
this
story,
the
programming
and
the
restored
monument.
You
will
see
for
years
to
come
are
the
result
of
the
values
and
the
hard
work
of
many
many
individuals.
I
I
This
partnership
is
a
living
emblem
of
our
call
to
action
and
our
vision
of
a
just
future:
the
restoration
experts
at
louis
c,
allegroni
construction,
the
team
of
bronze
conservators
at
skylight
studios
and
the
design
and
conservation
team
of
silman
structural
engineers,
along
with
the
project
managers
at
the
national
park
service
and
the
friends
of
the
public
garden.
Your
expertise
and
attention
to
detail
have
put
this
monument
on
a
strong
foundation,
our
generous
funders.
They
are
listed
in
your
program.
I
I
A
few
more,
our
amazing
staff
support
teams
at
the
city,
the
national
park
service,
the
friends
and
the
museum,
our
many
wonderful
project,
consultants,
event,
planners
community
consultants,
communications
and
interpretive
professionals,
your
logistical
prowess
and
creative
skills
have
made
so
many
significant
moments
possible
and
finally,
thank
you
to
our
wonderful
living
history,
reenactors
from
the
54th
and
the
allies
that
came
up
from
dc
as
well
as
those
in
service.
Today
we
are
so
appreciative
of
your
service
and
the
stark
reminder
of
the
humanity
of
the
heroes
that
are
on
this
memorial
before
us.
I
The
commanding
nature
of
public
art
is
to
speak
to
thousands
of
people
daily
freely
encountered
in
our
public
spaces.
The
men
to
the
54th
are
forever
enshrined
as
bronze
witnesses
to
history
and
a
check
to
the
halls
of
power
across
the
street
under
the
golden
dome
of
the
state
house.
As
we
face
the
tensions
of
the
21st
century,
it
is
more
important
than
ever
that
we
lift
up
their
story
and
the
many
layers
of
stories
of
the
people
who
shaped
this
country.
I
We
hope
today's
rededication
of
this
memorial
inspires
each
of
you
to
draw
strength
from
those
who
came
before
shoring
up
the
foundation
of
our
shared
histories
and
forging
the
tools
to
strengthen
civic
action
for
all
those
who
will
come
next.
While
the
restoration
work
is
complete.
The
work
of
the
partnership
is
far
from
finished.
I
J
We
know
that
much
of
america's
history
and
past
is
painful,
and
it's
incumbent
upon
each
of
us,
and
especially
those
of
us
in
public
life,
to
leave
our
communities
better
than
how
we
found
them.
The
shaw
54th
regiment
memorial
pays
tribute
to
robert
gould
shaw
and
the
54th
regiment,
who
fought
to
make
the
principles
of
our
constitution
and
the
bill
of
rights
real
for
all
americans.
J
J
Your
commitment
to
preserving
the
legacy
of
the
54th
regiment
is
very
important
to
our
commonwealth
to
the
people
who
live
here
and
just
as
importantly,
to
the
people
who
visit
here.
I
can't
tell
you
back
when
that
monument
was
up
there.
How
many
times
I
would
see
people
gathered
carrying
backpacks
and
wearing
sweaters
and
sweatshirts
from
all
over
the
country.
J
In
some
cases,
all
over
the
world
who
paused
there
to
read
the
memorial
look
at
the
memorial
and
reflect
on
what
it
stands
for
and
what
it
means
and
in
many
ways
I
would
hope
it
represents
a
standard
that
one
way
or
another
we
can
all
find
a
way
to
deliver
on.
I
want
to
congratulate
everybody
who
made
today's
redux
dedication
possible
again.
I
really
wish
I
could
be
with
you,
but
that
just
wasn't
going
to
work-
and
I
do
want
to
wish
you
all
the
very
best
not
just
today,
but
every
day
going
forward.
A
Thank
you
for
being
with
us.
Virtually
governor
baker,
men
and
women
from
massachusetts
and
boston
had
leading
roles
in
the
campaign
for
emancipation
and
to
winning
the
war
with
the
impressive
efforts
of
such
troops.
As
the
54th
massachusetts
volunteer
regiment,
when
the
men
marched
through
boston
on
route
to
the
harbor
from
where
they
would
sail
to
war
in
south
carolina,
they
were
bearing
four
flags:
the
union
flag,
the
flag
of
the
54th
regiment,
the
colors
from
the
ladies
flag
committee
of
xenia
ohio
and
the
flag
made
by
the
young
colored
ladies
of
boston.
A
Our
next
speaker
is
someone
who
is
especially
proud
of
those
bostonians
and
the
men
for
whom
the
memorial
was
erected
to
honor.
She
stepped
in
without
hesitation
to
fill
the
shoes
of
two
former
co-chairs
of
the
shaw
54th
honorary
committee
help
me
thank
former
mayors,
kim
janey
and
marty
walsh
now
u.s
labor
secretary
and
welcome
boston
mayor
michelle
wu.
K
K
So
I'm
going
to
get
in
trouble,
I'm
going
to
name
a
few
of
the
elected
officials
that
I
see
here,
because
it
is
important
to
celebrate
those
who
have
been
part
of
this
work
and
I'm
so
honored
to
serve
alongside
you
have
heard
reference
already
to
our
incredible
congresswoman
and
our
us
attorney.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
your
leadership.
Our
district
attorney
is
here
as
well.
K
Thank
you
to
our
city
teams,
who
have
been
working
so
hard
on
this,
our
chief
reverend
mariama
whitehammond
and
your
entire
team.
Our
parks,
commissioner
ryan
woods.
Chief
of
equity,
mariangelis,
elise,
servera,
and
so
many
and
so
many
of
our
community
leaders.
Here
too,
we
were
celebrating
just
a
few
hours
ago-
miss
lily
and
o'neil
veteran
of
korea
and
and
representing
so
many
in
our
community
with
your
leadership.
Thank
you
for
all
that
you
do
in
our
community.
K
Leaders
like
byron,
rushing
freda,
garcia,
barry
gaither,
who
have
laid
the
foundation
for
us
naacp
president
anisha
sullivan,
pastor,
willie
bodrick
of
12th
baptist
is
historic,
12th
baptist
church
lee
pelton
from
the
boston
foundation
and
someone
else
who
is
very
important
to
this
whole
area
and
the
legacy
that
we're
building
director
of
king
boston,
amari,
paris,
jefferies.
We
look
forward
to
connecting
this
line
with
the
embrace
okay
and
I
apologize
to
everyone
else.
Who's
here
who
I
didn't
see
or
get
to
recognize.
K
I'll
keep
my
remarks
brief.
Just
a
little
bit
ago,
we
celebrated
and
honored
the
bravery
and
sacrifice
of
so
many
coming
from
our
communities
on
memorial
day
veterans.
Commissioner,
rob
santiago,
and
I
crisscrossed
the
city
and
worked
to
ensure
that
on
this
that
that
day,
we
would
particularly
commemorate
what
boston
does
every
day
is
reflect
on
the
legacy
that
we're
stepping
into
this
memorial
first
dedicated
125
years
ago.
K
K
To
take
a
stand
against
wrongs,
we
want
to
be
a
part
of
making
right.
As
we
all
know,
the
54th
was
the
first
all-black
regiment
in
the
northeast
during
the
civil
war,
colonel
robert
gould
shaw
and
the
54th
fought
valiantly
to
preserve
our
union
and
strive
for
the
values
we
hold.
So
dear
liberty,
justice,
equality
for
all
shaw
commander,
who
didn't
just
hang
back
and
give
orders
but
led
the
charge
alongside
troops,
was
killed
in
an
assault
on
fort
wagner
in
charleston
south
carolina.
K
A
A
L
L
L
L
L
When
we
last
played
sweet
mother
in
a
room
full
of
aunties,
when
we
last
heard
magic
system
how
much
chinchin
left
to
cut
the
temperature
of
the
malta,
we
are
stirred
by
the
pile
of
black-eyed
peas,
separated
from
their
skins,
the
chew
of
the
tripe,
the
smell
of
curry,
permeating
the
house,
the
pile
of
small,
maggie
wrappers
unpeeled,
the
dwindling
goat
pieces
in
a
pot.
The
growing
rolls
on
uncle's
neck
scattered,
toothpicks,
bitter
lemon
beer
bottles,
the
volume
of
laughing
old
men.
L
We
are
evoked
by
the
shape-shifting
of
the
moon,
the
kerosene
left
in
the
lamp,
the
return
of
moths,
the
coils
in
the
teeth
of
a
comb,
the
moisture
of
our
texture,
the
circulation
of
head
scarves,
the
link
of
kanekalon,
the
dexterity
of
the
digits.
How
much
hair
is
left?
Unbraided,
the
folds
in
a
paper
gold
gillette,
the
first
play
of
wind.
A
Once
president
lincoln
began,
organizing
black
regiments
from
the
north
efforts
fell
short
when
black
activists
realized
that
there
was
no
provision
for
black
officers.
The
men
both
free
and
escaped
from
slavery
were
recruited
from
as
far
as
haiti
and
canada
and
from
states,
including
ohio
and
pennsylvania,
all
wanting
to
serve
when
they
arrived
in
south
carolina.
They
were
met
by
harriet
tubman,
sent
ahead
by
massachusetts,
governor
john,
a
andrew
as
a
nurse
a
cook
and
a
spy
after
the
battle
at
fort
wagner.
She
helped
heal
the
wounded
and
bury
the
dead.
A
I
now
have
the
honor
of
introducing
someone
who
understands
more
than
most
the
impact
that
abolitionist
giants
had
on
the
movement
to
end
slavery
and
the
defining
role
black
troops
had
on
the
outcomes
of
the
civil
war.
Welcome
dr
david
blight
sterling
professor
of
american
history
at
yale
university,
a
leading
authority
on
the
history
context
and
enduring
significance
of
the
massachusetts
54th
regiment.
M
Thank
you,
ma'am.
Don't
worry,
they're
letting
the
historians
in
now
we're
on
a
clock
and
the
soldiers
are
standing.
Don't
worry
guys.
I
was
a
resident
of
massachusetts
for
16
years.
I've
brought
hundreds
of
students
and
teachers
here,
it's
so
wonderful
to
be
able
to
speak
in
front
of
this
glorious
monument
without
the
buses
out
here.
M
M
A
huge
earth
works
heavily
defended
by
artillery
on
the
neck
of
a
sandy
beach
on
morris
island
along
charleston
harbor,
the
600
or
so
men
of
the
54th
massachusetts
had
only
late
that
afternoon
been
ferried
to
morris
island.
They
had
not
slept
for
two
days.
They
were
exhausted.
They
were
wet
hungry
less
than
48
hours
from
their
first
combat
on
james
island.
M
M
M
M
M
And
speeches
as
this
monument
we
are
here
for
two
central
reasons:
it's
not
only
the
112th
25th
anniversary
of
this
fantastic
masterpiece
by
augustus
saint-gaudens,
but
we're
here,
because
it
is
a
great
work
of
art
and
we're
here
because
of
the
story.
It
tells
this
masterpiece,
as
many
of
you
know,
took
years
and
years
to
create.
The
commission
here
in
boston,
almost
gave
up
on
st
gardens.
He
had
the
worst
time
trying
to
master
that
angel
on
top
and
they
almost
cut
him
off.
In
fact,
they
did.
M
M
M
M
M
M
He
said
the
conflict.
The
war
had
been
a
war
of
ideas,
a
battle
of
principles,
a
war
between
the
old
and
the
new
between
slavery
and
freedom,
between
barbarism
and
civilization.
It
was
not
a
fight
douglas
insisted
between
rapacious
birds
and
ferocious
beasts,
a
mere
display
of
brute
courage
and
endurance.
M
M
A
Rachel
rollins
just
invited
you
to
come
to
harvard
I
used
to
teach
there.
They
didn't
want
to
keep
me.
She
said
he
said
he
used
to
teach
there,
but
they
didn't
want
to
keep
him,
but
he'll,
be
back
he'll,
be
back
joshua
b
smith,
nicknamed
the
prince
of
caterers,
was
a
freeborn
abolitionist
man
from
philadelphia
who
raised
the
first
money
for
the
commission
of
augustus,
saint
gardens
monument
after
the
war
efforts
to
honor
the
54th
were
met
by
a
request
from
his
parents,
francis
and
sarah
shaw,
to
include
the
men
of
his
regiment.
A
Once
they
were
added
to
his
design.
What
saint-gaudens
thought
would
take
him?
Two
years
actually
took
14.
shaw's
parents
were
among
those
that
clearly
understood
the
power
of
place,
importance
of
monuments
and
the
promise
of
youth.
A
topic-
that's
not
too
big
for
our
next
speaker
to
handle.
Welcome
robert
stanton
co-chair
of
the
shaw
54th
honorary
committee,
as
well
as
former
director
of
the
national
park
service.
N
N
N
Let
us
remember
the
words
the
admonishment,
the
encouragement
of
dr
mary
mcleod
bethune
in
her
last,
will
and
testament
that,
finally,
that,
finally,
I
leave
you
a
responsibility
to
our
young
people.
We
must
never
never
discourage
our
young
people
of
seeking
a
better
world
in
which
we
have
left
them.
N
N
N
N
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
we
were
in
trouble
as
a
people
as
a
nation,
but
the
foresight
of
the
people
of
this
commonwealth
to
have
this
memorial
here
to
serve
as
a
reminder
serve
as
a
reminder
that,
even
though
we
may
be
confronted
with
difficult
there
times,
those
who
have
gone
before
that
had
more
severe
consequences
to
face.
But
yet
they
stood
fast
in
what
they
believe
that
is
worth
dying
for.
Freedom
is
worth
dying
for
this
magnificent
memorial
has
continued
to
serve
at
that
guide,
post.
N
In
1857
six
years
before
the
emancipation
proclamation,
mr
douglas
being
very,
very
agitated,
he
pressed
president
lincoln
do
something
do
something
now,
and
mr
douglas
in
our
speech
in
1857,
said
that
let
me
give
you
a
word
on
the
philosophy
of
social
reform
that
all
progress
is
born
of
earnest
struggle,
those
who
profess
freedom
and
deprecate
agitation.
Now
those
who
want
crops
without
plowing
up
the
ground,
it
won't
rain
without
the
mighty
roar
of
the
thunder
and
lightning.
N
N
We
have
national
parks
as
an
example
throughout
the
50
states,
american
samoa,
guam,
puerto
rico,
and
the
virgin
islands
representing
our
rich,
diverse
and
cultural
heritage.
But
when
all
said
and
done,
the
importance
of
these
resources,
the
importance
of
the
shah
54th
memorial
is
to
recognize
that
education,
education
is
the
prime
mission
of
preserving
our
collective
heritage.
N
We
must
bear
in
mind
that
our
youth
have
access
to
more
information
than
ever
before
and
in
ways
yet
imagined
in
terms
of
how
they'll
go
about
learning
in
the
age
of
growing
cultural
diversity.
We
must
ask
ourselves
for
the
ways
in
which
we
preserve
our
past
and
tell
it.
Many
stories
are
meaningful
to
all
our
young
people,
indeed
to
all
ourselves
all
our
citizens,
330
million
citizens.
N
It
is
my
strongly
held
hope
that,
in
the
memory
and
utmost
gratitude
to
colonel
shaw
and
the
massachusetts
54th,
whom
we
honor
today-
that
we
cannot,
we
shall
not
as
a
community
and
as
a
people
as
a
nation
do
less
than
uphold
the
preamble
of
the
constitution
of
the
united
states
go
forth.
My
friends
continue
to
build
up
on
the
legacy
of
that
which
has
been
given
to
us.
We
cannot
do
less.
We
cannot
do
less.
Thank
you
very
much.
A
Thank
you,
robert
next.
We
have
a
moving
tribute
produced
and
performed
by
the
boston,
children's
chorus
titled
those
heroes
who
healed
the
nation.
The
peace
is
an
original
composition
by
julius
williams,
whose
wife
and
son
represent
him.
Today
the
lyrics
were
influenced
by
the
massachusetts
54th,
a
poem
by
francis
ellen
watkins,
harper
and
men
of
color
by
frederick
douglass
fyi,
a
quilt
featuring
francis
ellen
watkins
harper
by
artist
educator,
lumerchy
frazier,
is
on
display
in
the
state
house
library.
C
B
B
B
B
B
A
A
Of
course,
today
we
gather
to
commemorate
the
54th
regiment,
their
colonel
and
the
memorial
erected
in
tribute
to
them.
It
is
the
week
of
memorial
day.
So,
of
course,
we
also
honor
all
of
the
heroes
in
the
armed
forces
who
have
fallen
in
service
to
our
nation,
and
we,
of
course
again
thank
them
for
their
honorable
service.
A
O
O
The
defense
of
our
country
is
characterized
by
acts
of
courage,
commitment,
honor
and
selfless
service
uncompromisingly
pass
from
one
generation
to
the
next
and
gentlemen.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
I
can
tell
you,
although
constant
throughout
our
history,
all
the
family,
members
and
loved
ones
whose
thoughts
are
never
far
from
those
who
serve
or
have
served.
O
O
Has
been
said
by
many,
the
54th
massachusetts
volunteer.
Infantry
regiment
is
a
military
unit
that
embodies
a
quentin
central
story
of
america's
struggle
to
fulfill
the
ideas
and
promises
of
his
founders.
Our
founders,
as
mentioned
earlier
in
early
1963,
the
creation
of
the
54th
massachusetts
regiment.
O
A
few
months
later,
in
june
18th
of
that
year,
1863
the
54th
prepared
to
storm
fort
wagner
and,
as
I've
said
previously
leading
from
the
front
from
the
front,
was
colonel
robert
shaw
leading
his
soldiers
to
what
would
be
a
horrific
day
of
combat,
and
I
will
share
with
you.
Although
the
attack
failed,
the
valor
of
those
soldiers
in
the
54th
paved
the
way
for
more
than
180
000
black
soldiers
african-americans
to
enlist
in
the
union,
army
and
subquestions
armies
to
follow
in
the
ranks
of
the
54th
was
sergeant.
O
They
walked
the
same
path
of
service
as
shah
and
his
men
did
many.
Many
years
ago,
the
history
of
the
54th
infantry
regiment,
applied
to
today,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
shows
us
that
bravery,
commitment
to
team
members,
love
for
country
and
freedom
holds
true
for
all
soldiers,
young
men
and
women
from
all
50
states,
plus
territories
who
volunteer
to
serve
and
the
color
of
one's
skin
should
not
be
a
barrier
to
patriotic
service.
A
Thank
you
lieutenant
general
brito
during
that
1897
dedication,
booker
t
washington
also
said
the
memorial
stands
for
effort,
not
victory.
Complete
dr
ibram
x,
kindy,
director
and
founder
of
the
boston
university
center
for
anti-racist
research,
he's
one
of
america's
foremost
historians
and
leading
anti-racist
scholars.
A
P
It
truly
is
an
honor
to
to
really
stand
in
this
history.
It's
it's.
It
truly
is
an
honor
to
to
stand
in
this
circle
of
time,
as
the
sister
stated
earlier,
and
but
as
an
historian
like
like
professor
blight,
I
I
have
to
sort
of
take
us
back
and
I
want
to
take
us
back
to
a
day
in
which
they
started
gathering
at
the
white
house.
In
the
late
morning,
members
of
the
general
public
walked
in
next
to
military
officers,
diplomats
and
members
of
the
supreme
court.
P
P
He
then
read
over
the
emancipation
proclamation.
The
the
proclamation
that
declared
all
persons
held
as
slaves
within
rebel
states
and
part
of
states
are
and
henceforth
shall
be,
free.
The
the
proclamation
that
also
declare
that
black
people
free
black
people
will
be
received
into
the
armed
services
of
the
united
states
of
america.
P
Lincoln
picked
up
his
pen
his
hand
shook
from
sheer
exhaustion.
He
laid
his
pen
back
down.
I
don't
want
to
appear,
I
don't
want
it
to
appear
as
if
he
hasn't.
I
hesitated.
He
reportedly
said
he
gathered
himself
picked
back
up
the
pen
and
sign
the
emancipation
proclamation
on
the
afternoon
of
january
1st
1863.
P
But
the
black
soldiers
of
the
54th
were
as
much
the
great
emancipators
as
abraham,
lincoln
white
abolitionists,
like
robert
shaw,
whereas
much
the
great
emancipators
as
abraham,
lincoln
enslaved
black
people
were
as
much
their
own
emancipators
as
abraham
lincoln.
It
was
the
resistance
of
enslaved
black
people
in
the
1850s
and
northern
abolitionists
that
were
a
critical
factor
in
southern
succession.
P
It
was
black
spies,
like
harriet,
tubman,
feeding,
union
soldiers,
intelligence
that
were
crucial
in
union
battle
victories,
and
it
was
the
black
people
rushing
into
the
54th
into
a
union
army,
starved
for
troops
in
1860
that
helped
turn
the
tide
of
the
civil
war
in
the
union's
favor.
The
54th
are
a
testament
to.
P
We
freed
us
they're
a
testament
to
we
freed
us.
There
was
not
a
single
person
who
abolished
slavery.
It
was
a
communal
affair.
It
was
a
national
affair.
It
was
something
we
did
together:
black
people
and
and
and
white
people
enslaved
and
and
free,
north
and
south,
most
of
the
monuments
in
this
city
across
the
commonwealth,
even
throughout
the
united
states,
honor
a
single
person,
but
this
monument,
the
shaw
54th
regimental
memorial,
honors,
a
community
marching
courageously.
P
They
were
not
thinking
about
what
would
happen
to
them
if
they
resisted.
If
they
fought
the
slave
power,
they
were
thinking
about
what
would
happen
to
them.
If
they
did
not
resist,
if
they
did
not
sign
up,
if
they
did
not
fight
what
is
now
the
racist
power,
it
is
going
to
take
us
all
people
of
all
racial
backgrounds
to
show
the
courage
of
the
54th
in
battle
against
the
confederates
in
our
time,
the
rebels
against
multiracial
democracy
in
our
time,
the
white
supremacists
in
our
time,
the
defenders
of
the
unequal
status
quo.
P
Q
But
I
hope
that
you
bear
with
me,
dr
kindly.
I
want
to
thank
you
for
opening
with
the
emancipation
proclamation,
because
this
day
is
historic.
Indeed,
on
that
day,
once
lincoln
signed
the
emancipation
proclamation,
news
came
to
boston
via
telegram
and
after
they
ran
to
get
the
news
celebration
broke
out
in
the
streets
of
boston
and
the
place
where
they
had.
The
after
party
was
at
grimes
church,
better
known
as
12th
baptist
church
right
here
on
beacon
hill.
At
the
time.
Q
Q
Q
Q
A
Thank
you,
pastor,
bodrick,
for
that
powerful
benediction.
We
have
another
important
piece
of
our
dedication
today.
Please
stand
as
colonel
jeff
nguyen
commander
of
the
54th
massachusetts
volunteer,
regiment,
david
hink,
lieutenant
colonel
u.s,
army,
retired
and
first
sergeant,
stephen
pascale
lay
a
wreath
in
honor
and
memory
of
the
mass
54
soldiers
who
made
the
ultimate
sacrifice
in
service
to
our
country
and
that
wreath
lane
will
be
followed
by
taps
played
by
sergeant
zachary
grady
54th
mass
volunteer,
regiment,
massachusetts,
army,
national
guard
and
a
moment
of
silence.
F
B
B
E
A
In
the
words
of
james
weldon,
johnson
quote
a
group
of
young
men
in
jacksonville
florida
arranged
to
celebrate
lincoln's
birthday
in
1900,
my
brother
jay
rosamond
johnson,
and
I
decided
to
write
a
song
to
be
sung
at
the
exercises.
I
wrote
the
words
and
he
wrote
the
music.
Our
new
york
publisher,
edward
b,
marks
made
mimeographed
copies
for
us,
and
the
song
was
talked
to
and
sung
by
a
chorus
of
500
colored
school
children.
A
Shortly
afterwards,
my
brother
and
I
moved
away
from
jacksonville
to
new
york
and
the
song
passed
out
of
our
minds,
but
the
school
children
of
jacksonville
kept
singing
it.
They
went
off
to
other
schools
and
sang
it.
They
became
teachers
and
taught
it
to
other
children
within
20
years.
It
was
being
sung
all
over
the
south
and
in
some
other
parts
of
the
country.
Unquote,
we
heard
just
a
snippet
of
that
in
pastor
bodrick's
benediction.
R
A
Thank
you,
tori.
Thank
you,
tori
for
that
uplifting
performance,
and
now
it's
my
pleasure
to
welcome
michael
creasy,
superintendent
of
the
national
parks
of
boston,
a
key
partner
on
this
project
and
probably
well
known
to
many
of
you
for
his
leadership
and
partnership
on
projects
at
sites
along
boston's
trails
to
freedom,
dorchester
heights
and
out
on
boston's
harbor
islands.
Michael.
I
turn
things
over
to
you
for
our
closing
comments.
S
S
S
S
As
we
come
to
the
end
of
our
formal
program
today,
I
invite
you
to
make
your
way
to
the
witness
to
history
tent,
which
is
right
down
behind
us
on
the
boston
common.
We
have
us.
We
are
especially
excited
that
topper
carew,
who
unfortunately
was
called
in
sick
this
morning
and
and
was
not
able
to
join
us,
but
he
created
an
incredible
documentary
film
about
this
monument.
S
S
It's
our
opportunity
all
of
ours
to
let
future
generations
know
that
you
were
here
today
and
why
you
came
in
her
1863
poem,
the
massachusetts
54th
by
francis
alan
watkins,
harper
that
was
sung
by
the
boston,
children's
choir
and
believe
me.
I
am
not
going
to
sing
it,
but
I
think
I
think
it's
important
enough
to
to
recite
one
verse.