►
Description
Mayor Wu joined the Office of Veterans Services to celebrate the official opening of Gourdin Park, dedicated to US General and MA Supreme Court Justice Edward Gourdin.
B
Good
evening,
everyone,
okay,
heavenly
father,
let
us
be
grateful
for
what
we're
coming
to
do
today.
You
have
given
us
the
courage
and
strength
to
be
able
to
go
through
this.
Thank
you
for
the
audience
that
has
arrived.
Thank
you
for
the
people,
that's
been
very,
very
supportive
and
we're
asking
you
in
your
name
to
please
guide
us
and
continue
to
be
with
us
and
let
good
things
come
to
this.
We
ask
these
in
Jesus,
name,
amen,.
A
C
C
D
D
C
F
You
don't
have
to
be
a
veteran
to
support,
veterans
and
I
want
to
thank
the
families
of
the
veterans
whose
sons
and
daughters
have
returned
from
serving
this
country,
but
the
country
hasn't
served
them
so
I'm
not
here
to
beat
you
up
not
much
anyway,
but
I
want
you
to
understand.
The
importance
of
what
this
day
means.
F
F
A
Thank
you
Haywood
for
those
profound
words
and
if
you
think
he's
kidding
he's
not
I,
I
I
receive
a
lot
of
calls
from
Haywood
and
Delotta
three
o'clock
in
the
morning.
Emails
from
him
as
well
so
I'm
very
appreciative
to
him
for
at
least
keeping
me
on
my
toes
and
being
the
best
commission
that
I
can
be
so.
Thank
you.
Haywood
and
I
would
like
to
call
up
Miss
jamada
Smith
was
a
member
of
the
veterans
and
Friends
of
gordine
Memorial
Park.
G
Thank
you
good
afternoon,
Church
I'm,
saying
church,
because
this
is
the
way
I
feel
about
it.
I'm
looking
at
the
sky,
I
know
what
we
have
been
through
through
the
years
and
I'm
thanking
God,
because
I
have
my
little
church
outfit
because
I'm
for
real.
This
is
a
blessing
from
the
Lord,
so
my
name
is
jamada
of
the
holic
Henry
Smith
and
I've
already
used
it.
My
two
minutes
with
my
name,
however
I'm
following
the
leader.
You
know
you
follow
your
leader.
He
took
more
than
two
minutes,
so
I'm
thinking,
no
so
I'm.
G
Everybody
can
be
a
part
of
this
organization
and
we
can
we'll
see
you'll
see
about
this
later
on.
We've
done
this
big
part,
but
as
we
worked
on
this
through
the
years
it's
been
like,
oh
in
the
1990s
like
1997
on
you
know,
we've
been
working
on
this
and
Through
The
Years.
You
know
some
didn't
get
to
see
it
through
fruition,
but
I
know
that
they
see
it
now.
G
G
G
G
And
it
says:
I
don't
see
the
mayor
on
here,
but
anyway,
I
want
to
give
this
to
you.
I
love
you
and
yes
and
her
his
son
also,
and
then
we
had
none
other
than
my
buddy
Randy
Tatum
Randy
is
a
descendant
of
Mr
gordine.
He
had
a
actual
Foundation
I
understand
that
he
had.
They
had
an
event
for
him
just
not
long
ago
and
so
Randy.
G
He
did.
Everybody
did
something
throughout
this
whole
course
everybody
did.
But
you
know
we
are
the
keepers
of
our
culture
and
we
have
to
keep
this
going
and
I
just
want
to
give
a
shout
out
to
our
ancestors.
So
is
anybody
here
from
Randy's
Family
on
today,
I
didn't
I
didn't
see
anyone
his
widow,
okay
and
then
my
guy
Benny
Benny
White.
He
was
a
stomp
down
member.
He
was
there
all
the
time
from
the
very
beginning,
I'm
looking
at
some
of
the
people
who
gets
dropped
out.
G
That
tickles
me
because
a
lot
of
people
don't
know
Trump
down.
Trump
down
means
like
really
really
really,
but
so
Benny
White
he's
was
with
the
54th
and
as
a
matter
of
oh,
he
was
with
60
plus
veterans.
He
was
Betty
was
just
together
and,
of
course,
with
the
organization
of
African-American
veterans
and
so
I'm
gonna
I
have
one
more
minute.
No
I,
don't
I
want
to
say
this.
I
want
to
say
this.
G
Looked
like
I
was
14.,
but
anyway
they
just
embraced
me
and
that's
why
I
love
being
a
part
of
this
organization,
because
all
of
these
guys
that
have
gone
on
they
just
remind
me
of
the
brothers
you
know,
and
these
all
these
guys
were
veterans,
but
they
didn't
have
office
jobs.
They
were
in
the
warehouse,
you
know,
and
so
remember
our
culture.
Remember
our
people
and
we
gotta
all
do
this
together,
so
that
you
know
we
can't
accuse
the
little
white
child
for
being
racist
if
they're
not
shown
that
black
African-American
soldiers
were
in
every.
G
A
Thank
you
jamada
before
we
continue,
There
is
actually
one
thing.
I
do
want
to
say
about
Randy
Tatum
I
had
the
privilege
of
getting
to
know
him
for
a
bit
and
I.
Remember
after
gordine
a
committee
meeting
right
up
here
at
the
B2
conference
room,
we
were
walking
back
to
our
vehicles
and
one
of
the
things
that
he
told
me
was
that
one
of
his
regrets
was
that
he
didn't
serve
in
the
armed
forces
and
I
told
him.
You
don't
have
to
serve
your
community.
A
You
don't
have
to
serve
your
country
by
wearing
the
uniform.
That's
just
one
of
the
many
ways
he
has
served
this
community
in
many
ways
being
a
lead
in
the
Democratic
party
and
also
in
everything
else.
He
did
in
the
community.
So
just
wanted
to
say
that
about
Randy
he
was
a
great
man
and
and
everybody
else
that
was
mentioned.
So
thank
you.
A
H
The
sheer
magnitude
of
Granddaddy's
accomplishments,
especially
coming
as
they
did
during
a
time
with
black
achievement,
was
even
more
aggressively
hindered
and
discredited
than
it
is
today,
was
often
lost
on
us
in
1997.
My
dad
same
name,
Edward
excitedly
shared
with
me,
a
Jacksonville
Times
newspaper
article
printed
on
the
100th
anniversary
anniversary
of
Granddaddy's
birth
recounting
his
achievements.
My
dad
was
extremely
proud
and
very
much
aware
of
the
enormity
of
his
father's
accomplishments.
He'd
say
girl.
That's
your
grandfather!
H
It
wasn't
until
I
started,
working
with
the
veterans
and
Friends
Committee
in
2021
and
I
no
longer
work
with
them,
but
it
was
a
great
time
that
I
truly
grasped
the
enormity
of
our
grandfather's
achievements.
The
Howard
Gottlieb
archival
Research
Center
at
bu,
graciously
provided
me
with
copies
of
letters
written
by
granddaddy
to
his
mother.
Our
great-grandmother
Felicia.
H
The
lettuce
span,
the
1923
track
and
field
season,
as
well
as
his
time
at
the
1924
Paris
Olympics
I
spent
hours.
Reading
those
letters
that
day,
letters
written
with
words
carefully
and
thoughtfully
chosen
by
a
son
for
his
mother
and
I,
began
to
see
my
grandfather
as
a
Young
Man,
just
starting
out,
excited
and
proud,
but
also
apprehensive
and
unsure.
H
He
wrote
to
his
mother
recounting
his
experiences.
His
wins
and
losses,
his
aspirations
and
doubts
and
I
came
to
see
him
not
just
as
his
granddaughter,
but
also
as
a
mother
myself,
remembering
my
own
son's
letters
from
boot.
Camp
I
saw
in
Granddaddy's
words
a
vulnerability
that
we
all
feel
when
faced
with
the
enormity
of
our
next
steps
and
where
they
will
lead.
I
saw
him
not
as
the
fully
realized
multi-accomplished
leader
and
Advocate
that
we
honor
today,
but
as
the
young
person,
who
had
only
dreamed
up
until
that
point.
H
H
But
they
do
indeed
stand
the
test
of
time.
So
let
this
space,
this
Memorial
Park,
be
a
place
of
reverence
of
thoughtfulness
and
respite
of
knowledge
and
self-awareness,
but
also
a
place
to
dream.
Let
this
space
Not
only
Revere
the
sacrifices
of
black
veterans,
but
be
a
place
where
a
young
person
may
come
to
be
inspired
and
come
to
believe
that
he
or
she
can
simply
by
knowing
that
he
our
grandfather
did.
A
I
I
I
Sitting
on
the
board,
in
addition
to
my
husband,
will
edit
book
Fletcher
Wiley
judges,
Julie
field
day
and
Julian
Houston
Marvin
Gilmore
and
Edward
ogre
Dean
Jr
members
of
the
272nd
veterans
association
who
worked
on
the
pox
creation,
including
Bill
Vickers,
Robin,
Brown,
Charles,
Dawson,
William,
Janey,
and
many
more,
most
of
whom
are
no
longer
longer
with
us,
with
blood
support
from
the
judicial
community,
Roxbury
main
streets
and
Academia,
which
included
Harvard,
University,
good
things
alma
mater.
The
pie
came
into
being
dedicated
to
the
Massachusetts
African
American
veterans.
The
park
was
called
the
peace
Park.
C
I
In
2015,
after
my
husband's
passing,
a
cross-section
of
community
members
established
a
working
group
that
evolved
into
veterans
and
Friends
of
good
Dean
Memorial
Park.
That
group's
objective
was
to
complete
the
pack
by
having
hot
artwork
installed
that
would
memorialize
Massachusetts
African
American
veterans.
J
I
The
park
is
much
more
than
the
new
landscaping
and
artwork
in
2020.
Many
of
the
protest
marches
in
Boston
began
in
Roxbury
convenient
in
the
park,
and
it
is
so
fitting
that
they
did
so
since
thousands
of
African-American
veterans
from
the
Civil
War,
World,
War,
One,
World,
War,
II,
Vietnam,
plus
otherwise
were
victims
of
racial
assault
by
lynching
and
much
more.
I
Further
on
behalf
of
veterans
and
friends,
I'd
like
to
extend
our
appreciation
to
Suffolk
University,
Professor,
David,
Ellison
and
suffix
internship
program
for
leading
us
to
save
a
lot
and
solid
backer
who
conducted
vital
historical
research
about
Massachusetts,
African
American
bulletins,
on
our
behalf
in
closing,
I
want
to
thank
God
for
allowing
me
to
see
this
day
come
to
fruition.
I.
Thank
you,
Lord.
You
don't
know
how
much
I
thank
you,
and
just
for
the
record
a
little
bit
kind
of
came
on
my
porch
this
morning
and
looked
right
at
me.
I
K
This
is
something
very
small
in
the
scheme
of
all
that
has
happened
and,
and
your
advocacy
and
Mr
Brown's,
but
we
wanted
to,
on
behalf
of
the
entire
city,
present
a
certificate
of
recognition
to
miss
Wilma
Brown,
in
recognition
of
your
contributions
to
the
veterans
and
Friends
of
gerdin
am
I,
saying
it
right.
Miss
militia,
guardine,
Memorial
Park
committee
and
the
veterans
of
the
city
of
Boston.
Your
dedication
and
tireless
Devotion
to
honoring
the
service
and
sacrifice
of
African-American
veterans
reflects
greatly
on
our
community
and
the
entire
city
of
Boston.
A
E
A
If
you
also
looked
throughout
the
park
on
both
to
the
left
and
the
right
of
the
general,
you
see
reliefs
that
are
dedicated
to
the
African-American
veterans,
who
have
served
in
every
single
conflict
in
war
in
the
United
States.
Since
the
American
Revolution,
they
are
currently
being
unveiled
by
the
veteran
and
Friends
Committee
of
gourdain
Memorial
Park
judge.
A
K
It's
unbelievable
to
think
that
this
is
the
embodiment
of
one
individual,
the
multitudes
in
the
so
many
dimensions
and
and
facets
of
Excellence
legal
jurisprudence,
Olympic
athletic
excellence
and
just
the
service
and
patriotism
to
the
country.
So
we're
proud
to
have
this
role
model
an
example
here
not
only
for
the
city
of
Boston,
for
individual
inspiration,
but
to
recognize
and
thank
veterans
everywhere,
and
particularly
our
black
veterans,
who
serve
this
country
who
did
not
serve
them.
So
thank
you
so
much.
A
A
L
Thank
you,
Miss
Harris
I
hear
you
over
here
good
afternoon,
everyone.
It
is
a
pleasure
to
be
here
to
Stand
Here,
along
with
my
chief
Reverend
mariama
white
Hammond,
who
is
also
here
with
us
in
the
crowd
to
be
here
to
be
part
of
this
celebration.
This
work
that
Fern
Cunningham,
Terry
and
Karen
UDA
may
have
worked
so
hard
on
that
has
finally
unveiled
this
park.
L
That
I
think
juman
and
Haywood
were
very
kind
in
saying
that
it
took
some
time
it
took
a
lot
of
time
over
the
decades
to
work
together
on
this.
This
is
a
1.4
million
dollar
investment
from
meru's
capital
budget.
Another
440
000
from
the
brown
fund
of
the
trust
office
and
a
fifty
thousand
dollar
earmark
Grant
from
the
State
Department
of
Veterans
Services,
with
the
help
of
Representative
Chyna
Tyler
on
our
team.
I
want
to
recognize
here:
Liza
Meyer
she's,
our
chief
landscape
architect,
who
has
worked
on
this.
L
L
There's
been
a
lot
of
work
done
when,
with
the
veterans
and
friends,
and
a
lot
of
collaboration,
Through
The
Years,
with
the
Department
of
Veterans
in
the
office
of
mayor's
office
of
arts
and
culture,
I
want
to
thank
Chief,
Karen,
Elliot
Ortega,
who
is
here
and
her
team
that
has
worked
through
the
years
on
this
artwork
and
with
the
veterans
and
friends.
So
thank
you
for
all
their
contributions
on
the
work
as
well.
L
M
Good
afternoon,
it
is
a
good
afternoon
we're.
Finally,
here
my
name
is
Karen
udemy,
otherwise
known
as
half
of
the
artist
team
comprised
of
my
cousin,
Fern
Cunningham
Terry,
and
me
that
partnership
started
way
back
when
we
were
children.
We
were
always
very
close,
even
during
our
disagreements,
which
we
did
have
our
lives
aligned
in
ways
that
strengthened
our
initial
connections,
that
of
Family
Ties
and
childhood
secrets.
M
The
the
jeans
for
teaching
and
for
art
making
ran
deep
in
our
family.
Touching
many
of
our
relatives
as
well,
though
we
didn't
live
near
each
other
as
children
Destiny
pulled
us
both
to
the
Boston
area
as
young
adults
we
had
similar
and
yet
Divergent
interests,
and
over
time
it
turned
out.
We
would
each
focus
on
teaching
art
to
young
people
while
continuing
to
invest
in
our
sculpture
careers
jointly
and
singularly.
We
shared
our
ideas
and
our
struggles.
M
Although
firm
passed
during
the
course
of
bringing
this
project
to
life,
it
was
as
if
she
was
still
beside
me
whenever
I
needed
to
get
out
of
my
own
head
or
I
was
stressed
or
was
tempted
to
quit.
I
could
almost
hear
her
voice.
Egging
me
on
saying
girl
just
get
to
it,
so
it
is
my
hope
that
many
veterans
and
their
families
will
feel
honored
by
the
completion
of
Fern's
Vision.
My
desire
is
that
this
Veterans
Memorial
site
that
General
Edward,
oh
gardening,
grading.
M
African-American
Veterans
Park
will
spur
interest
in
delving
deeper
into
the
actual
stories
of
African
Americans
who
served
in
the
military
throughout
this
nation's
history.
I
am
confident
that
this
space
and
the
events
that
will
occur
here
will
Foster
a
greater
understanding
of
the
extent
of
personal
and
Collective
sacrifices
that
were
and
still
are
being
made
by
African
Americans
in
service
to
our
country.
M
I
am
thankful
that
my
heavenly
father
saw
fit
to
cultivate
in
me
a
desire
to
be
creative
and
to
use
the
talents
I've
received
in
service
to
others.
He
prepared
me
to
engage
with
like-minded
people
to
drive
this
project
along
to
a
successful
outcome.
I
want
to
express
my
appreciation
to
the
design
team
members
of
the
Boston,
Arts,
commission
and
others
at
the
mayor's
office,
whose
expertise
and
wisdom
informed
and
honed
my
vision
for
this
project.
M
A
Our
next
speaker
she's
actually
having
a
very
busy
week
this
week.
It's
president
Tanisha
Sullivan
of
the
bus
in
NAACP,
but
fortunately
we
do
have
a
person
who's
going
to
be
here
to
speak
on
her
behalf.
It's
tanisha's
mother
Thelma,
who
I
had
the
honor
of
sitting
with
last
night
at
the
veterans,
reception,
so
Thelma
the
floor
is
all
yours.
A
N
N
His
sister
was
my
grandmother:
okay,
my
parents
James
Tatum
in
Marcella
Tatum
named
me
after
his
mother
Thelma,
and
so
going
deep
deep
into
my
name.
My
name
is
Thelma
gerdin
dance,
Tatum
Sullivan,
so
I
am
Thelma
Sullivan.
So
now
we
want
to
thank
the
veterans
and
Friends
of
the
garden
Memorial
Park.
We
want
to
thank
you
for
your
determination
for
making
this
park
a
reality.
N
N
N
A
J
First
of
all,
I
want
to
let
you
know:
I
started
Roxbury
post
office
and
I
came
back
and
when
Roxbury
station
opened
up,
I
became
one
of
the
black
supervisors
there.
So
I
have
a
history,
and
when
I
did
rafaelyn
asked
me
would
I
write
for
the
272nd
and
it
was
my
honor
I
have
brought
out
many
a
poem
about
black
people
that
have
fought
and
get.
Let
not
get
recognized.
J
J
J
J
I'm,
a
sergeant
major
of
the
army,
Desert
Storm,
Ox
hi
Sue
Emily,
excels
in
every
day
wins
a
commander
spot
on
the
junior
RSC
after
the
generation
she
chooses
military,
not
just
any
military
West
Point.
She
pulls.
She
pulls
on
her
Solid
Ground
of
West
Point,
a
leader
in
the
conference.
She
followed
the
footsteps
of
her
Emily
Place,
her
arm
around
her
left.
J
She
earned
style
wreath:
graduated
10
percent
at
West
Point
in
her
seniority
this
year
and
becomes
a
highest
rank
in
military
woman
in
history.
At
West,
Point,
Brigadier,
Commandments,
General
major
sets
records,
Sprints
leaves
38
feet,
I'm,
sorry,
a
bronze
medal
at
the
hundred
point,
six
6.2,
a
dancing
Squad
a
tutor
of
a
Cadet.
J
J
J
J
I
would
not
be
able
to
talk
about
this
woman
and
she
needs
to
be
recognized
because
she
was
a
good
Dean
and
she
needs
to
be
brought
into
this
Loop
and
spread
more
news
and
I.
Think
the
whole
thing
is
bad
because
we
don't
talk
about
our
own,
the
people,
the
people
that
died
and
lost
their
lives
and
sacrificed
and
never
got
their
Awards.
J
J
I
have
to
say
this,
and
I
am
so
on
at
being
here,
because
Ralph
asked
me
to
write
for
the
272nd
and
I
believe
in
promises
met.
I
promise
is
kept
and
I
think
that
I
want
to
let
his
family
know.
I
am
proud
of
him.
Wilma
used
to
work
for
me
at
the
post
office
and
Ralph
used
to
work
for
me,
so
I
remember.
All
and
I've
set
many
records.
I
work
for
the
the
ghost
wives
I
introduced,
the
stamp
that
came
out
for
the
Koreans
and
I
I
was
I,
am
on
it.
A
A
O
O
Dr
Gail
Bennett
is
a
retired
Brigadier
General
with
the
national
with
the
Massachusetts
National
Guard,
and
she
has
extensive
professional
Health
experiences.
I
won't
talk
about
all
of
her
accolades,
but
she
is
someone
that
has
extensive
experience
in
the
health
care
field
and
in
June
of
this
year,
secretary
John
Santiago
announced
her
appointment
as
the
first
ever
deputy
secretary
of
the
Executive
Office
of
Veterans
Services.
O
P
Taking
notes,
oh
my
goodness,
good
morning,
everyone
good
morning:
oh
that's
right!
That's
right!
Mayor
Wu,
elected
officials,
honored
guests,
distinguished
guests,
veterans,
friends,
family!
This
is
a
momentous
occasion
and
actually
before
I
go
into
it.
I'm
just
going
to
talk
about
this
weather,
it
is
wonderful.
We
have
had
so
much
rain
and
the
fact
that
it's
sunny
we
get
a
little
bit
of
a
breeze
and
a
little
shade.
Mother
Nature
is
definitely
giving
her
stamp
of
approval
on
today's
events.
Right
God
is
good
and
all
the
time.
P
To
his
life
and
Legacy
and
the
contributions
of
African-American
veterans,
who
have
served
from
the
time
of
the
American
Revolution
through
today,
we
also
celebrate
the
power
of
unity
and
shared
purpose.
This
park
stands
as
a
testament
to
what
can
be
accomplished
when
people
come
together
to
create
something
meaningful
and
Lasting.
P
P
His
career
was
exceptional
and
to
say
that
General
gerdin
was
a
Trailblazer
is
actually
an
understatement.
You
heard
everyone
say
that
he's
a
scholar.
He
was
a
scholar,
an
athlete,
a
soldier,
a
judge,
an
activist,
any
one
of
those
things
would
have
been
commendable,
but
he
excelled
in
all
of
them.
As
a
scholar,
he
was
the
valedictorian
of
his
high
school
class
in
1916.,
he's
a
graduate
of
Harvard
College
and
Harvard
Law
School
as
a
star
athlete
in
1921.
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
He
paved
the
way
for
us
and
those
of
us
who
benefited
from
General
gordine's
Life.
We
have
a
responsibility
to
those
who
come
after
us.
He
was
a
role
model
and
inspiration
for
generations,
and
it's
imperative
that
we
do
the
same.
There
is
a
saying
you
push
me
and
I'll
pull
you.
So
let's
lead
mentor
and
inspire.
P
It's
also
fitting
that
this
dedication
is
happening
at
the
conclusion
of
the
naacp's
114th
National
Convention
just
last
night
during
their
armed
forces
and
Veterans
Affairs
reception
in
honor
of
this
occasion
and
and
the
signing
of
the
executive
order.
We
heard
from
the
Secretary
of
Veteran
Affairs
Dennis
McDonnell.
P
P
We
also
heard
from
the
president
of
the
double
ncp's
Boston
chapter
Tanisha
Sullivan,
who
expressed
the
organization's
commitment
to
advancing
public
policy.
That
is
mindful
of
supporting
members
of
the
Armed
Forces
and
Veterans,
ensure
and
ensuring
that
those
black
veterans
who
served
receive
their
fair
share
and,
in
addition,
the
NAACP
presented
their
distinguished
military
service
award
posthumously
to
General
Gordon
and
accepting
the
award
in
his
honor
was
his
great
grand
niece
Tanisha
Sullivan.
P
Foreign
I
really
would
just
like
to
take
a
moment
to
appreciate
the
magnitude
of
this
moment.
This
is
phenomenal.
Just
imagine
what
it
was
like
back.
Then
we
have
struggles
now,
but
it's
nothing
compared
to
what
he
went
through
and
he
persevered
and
I
would
just
like
to
acknowledge
anyone
who
is
currently
serving
or
has
served
if
you
would
stand
if
you
can
just
so,
we
can
give
you
a
round
of
applause.
P
P
This
park,
as
everyone
has
mentioned,
stands
as
a
testament
to
the
administration's
unwavering
dedication
to
honoring
our
veterans
and
recognizing
the
invaluable
contributions
they
have
made.
As
we
stand
in
the
park,
we're
reminded
of
the
progress
we
have
made,
but
we
also
recognize
that
there's
much
more
to
be
done.
P
P
Finally,
to
all
of
those
present
here
today,
thank
you
for
joining
us
on
this
important
occasion.
We
celebrate
not
just
the
completion
of
a
park,
but
the
embodiment
of
our
shared
values
and
aspirations.
Thank
you
for
allowing
me
to
be
a
part
of
this
historic
occasion
and
thank
you
for
your
dedication
to
honoring
the
legacy
of
general
gerdin
and
the
black
Veterans
of
the
Commonwealth
and,
as
it's
been
said
throughout
this
week
at
the
convention,
when
we
work
together,
we
Thrive
together.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
your
time,.
A
A
Next
we
actually
have
Mr
Alvin
Terry,
who
is
the
husband
of
fern
Cunningham
Terry.
He
would
have
been
here
earlier,
but
he
was
faced
with
one
of
the
many
challenges
we
face
as
Bostonian
and
that
is
looking
for
a
parking
spot,
so
he
creatively
made
one
in
front
of
the
BPL.
So
I
would
like
to
bring
him
up
here
to
say
a
couple
of
quick
few
words
Mr
Terry.
Q
Thank
you,
mayor
Wu,
residents
of
Boston
and,
of
course,
black
veterans
everywhere.
One
thing
about
veterans
just
about
every
everybody
here
has
somebody
some
family
member
who
is
a
veteran
and
if
you're,
an
African-American
in
America,
you
have
sort
of
a
a
special
relationship
with
this
country.
I
want
to
thank
the
veterans
everywhere,
but
particularly
here,
because
you
never
see
the
scars
that
they
have
for
serving
this
country
that
we're
so
proud
of
that
we
live
in.
If
you
talk
to
them,
they'll
just
tell
you:
yes,
hello,
young
blood,
blah
blah
blah.
Q
They
never
tell
you.
My
father,
also
a
veteran,
never
told
me
about
some
of
the
things
he
had
endured
in
the
service.
His
scars
were
his
own
and
he
didn't
tell
you
the
same
with
a
lot
of
these
veterans
that
you
see
here
and
that
you
don't
see
here.
I've
seen,
judge
gourdine
in
many
different
outfits.
Fern
was
I,
can't
remember
how
many
different
Renditions
of
this
sculpture,
not
statue
but
sculpture.
Q
Fern
is
very,
very
adamant
about
that
and
she
wanted
our
people
with
our
special
relationship
in
this
country
to
know
that
they
were
beautiful,
that
they
were
Worthy,
that
they
were
intelligent
and
they
should
be
seen,
and
so
she
would
turn
down
some
sculpture
projects
that
were
very
lucrative,
but
that
didn't
have
that
message
for
her
I.
Think
friend
was
very
humble.
If
you
talk
to
Fern,
if
you
knew
her,
you
knew
she
never
talked
about.
Herself
I
see
some
of
her
fellow
artists
here
tonight
she
never
talked
about
herself.
Q
She
always
had
a
way
of
talking
about
what
you
wanted
to
talk
about,
but
if
you
look
at
all
the
sculptures
she
has
done
in
this
city-
and
there
are
a
few-
she
wanted-
the
children,
her
people
to
know
that
they
were
special
and
she
bled
for
each
one
I'm
here
today,
because
each
sculpture
project
each
unveiling
like
this
one.
She
considered
a
birth
just
like
a
child
I'm
here
for.
Q
I'm
here
for
Fern's
child
also
to
think
all
of
the
people
who
you
don't
see-
or
maybe
you
haven't-
you
don't
know
about
the
Landscape
Architects
city
of
Boston,
of
course-
and
she
was
very
proud
of
her
association
with
the
brown
fund,
who
helped
out
in
I
think
every
sculpture
that
I
knew
about
the
fern
was
associated
with
when
she
could
no
longer
finish
and
she
took
on
this
project.
She
was
already
sick.
Q
Q
She
wouldn't
trust
anybody
with
her
baby,
but
these
people
she
trusted
I,
can't
remember
all
the
names
of
the
Landscape
Architects
we
used
to
meet
right
over.
Here
we
met
at
the
Veterans
Home
various
meetings.
They
were
not
all
pleasant,
but
one
thing
about
these
people,
this
team,
the
sculptures
the
sculptor
sculptures.
Excuse
me:
Landscape,
Architects,
all
artists
and
I
have
to
mention
Chantal
Charles
without
her
I
really
cannot
say
if
we'd
be
looking
at
judge
gourdine
today.
Q
So
when
you,
when
you
look
at
the
sculpture
and
all
of
the
sculptures
around
around
Boston
and
Beyond,
remember
this
fern
wanted
to
speak
for
those
who
could
not
speak,
and
now
it
looks
like
it's
my
job
to
speak
for
my
wife,
who
can't
speak
for
herself
right
now,
God
bless,
you
I
hope
you
enjoy
the
sculpture,
but
I
want
you
to
know.
Also,
it
took
a
lot
of
work
and
unrelenting
effort
integrity.
Q
A
Thank
you
Alvin.
For
those
words,
we
are
nearing
the
end
of
our
program.
Just
so
you
know
we
do
have
food
available
for
all
our
guests,
who
are
here
today
more
on
that
a
little
bit
later
towards
the
end.
But
right
now
we
do
have
a
special
music
selection
from
the
12th
Baptist
Church
they're.
Not
here
are
they
here:
they're,
not
okay,
all
right,
well,
you're
going
to
be
coming
up,
you're,
going
to
close
out
close
it
out
all
right.
A
R
R
My
friend
and
former
colleague
Lonnie
Bunch
wrote
in
his
book
a
Fool's
errand,
creating
the
national
museum
of
Africa,
American
history
and
culture.
The
following
one
can
tell
a
great
deal
about
a
country
by
what
it
remembers,
but
what,
by
what
Graces
the
wall
of
its
museums
and
what
monuments
have
been
privileged
to
be
placed
in
parks
in
Central
Traffic
intersections?
Well,
that's
where
we
are
today.
R
Second,
we
wish
to
develop
a
curriculum
for
high
schools,
the
local
elementary
schools
and
ROTC
programs
in
the
area.
Third,
we
wish
to
train
and
hire
T
docents
to
give
tours
and
present
history
talks
about
the
park.
We
want
to
create
jobs
and
create
Pathways
for
future
careers
and
finally
presenting
public
programs
in
the
way
of
panels
and
workshops,
as
we
did
in
May
2022
with
Dr
John
Moreau,
with
the
support
of
the
Hutchins
Center
Harvard
University.
R
We
plan
to
reach
out
to
those
past
donors
and
to
seek
out
more
corporations,
more
foundations,
more
individuals
who
understand
the
importance
of
lifting
up
the
story
behind
the
park
and
the
artwork.
Second,
we
will
we
are
planning
to
revive
our
plans
for
our
first
fundraiser
that
have
been
derailed
due
to
the
pandemic,
and
we
hope
that
you
bring
your
dancing
shoes
when
the
final
plans
for
that
inaugural
fundraiser
are
announced.
R
Through
sharing
and
disseminating
this
history,
we
hope
to
lift
even
greater
black
Joy
and
the
spiritual
and
Civic
health
of
this
city,
this
state
and
this
nation.
But
we
need
you
in
this
battle
and
look
forward
to
your
continued
support
as
we
continue
the
work,
to
paraphrase
another
colleague
of
planting
seeds
for
the
next
seven
generations.
Thank
you.
A
So,
in
recognition
of
your
contributions
to
the
veterans
and
Friends
of
Gordie
Memorial
Park
and
the
veterans,
the
city
of
Boston,
your
dedication
and
tireless
Devotion
to
honoring
the
service
and
sacrifice
of
African-American
veterans
reflect
great
credit
on
our
community
and
the
City
of
Boston.
Awarded
this
first
day
of
August
signed
Michelle
Abu
mayor.
A
A
Another
person
who
I
would
like
to
call
up
here
and
recognize
he
talked
a
little
bit
earlier,
but
he
is
Mr
President,
the
president
of
the
veterans
and
Friends
of
Gordie
Memorial
Park
Hayward
funnel,
but
before
I
give
you
the
mic.
I
also
got
the
same
certificate
of
recognition
from
the
mayor
for
you
for
you
yeah
for
you
there
you
go.
F
F
F
S
A
A
few
people
from
the
city
of
Boston
who
I
would
like
to
recognize
chief
of
Health
Services,
Jose,
maso,
Chief
white
Hammond,
who
was
here
or
there
she
is
right
next
to
Chief
my
soul.
Over
there.
We
also
have
the
chief
of
Economic
Opportunity
and
inclusion.
Saguni
Dogo
I
saw
him
earlier,
I
think
he's
gone,
but
also
I,
also
just
seen
the
executive
director
of
The
Office
of
blackmail,
advancement,
Frank
Farrow
right
here.
A
T
D
D
D
A
Thank
you
very
much.
That
was
awesome
really
was
before
we
finish
program.
There
is
one
Public
Service
Announcement
announcement.
I
would
like
to
make
in
particular
to
our
veterans.
As
we
all
know,
the
pact
Act
was
enacted
and
signed
into
law
by
President
Biden
a
year
ago
next
week,
and
that
allows
there's
a
new
law
that
expands
VA
health
care
benefits
for
veterans,
exposed
to
burn
pits,
agent,
orange
and
other
toxic
substances,
and
many
of
those
could
also
be
a
presumptive
diagnosis
as
well.
A
I
would
urge
all
veterans
out
there
to
go
see
your
local
vso,
your
veteran
service
officer.
If
you're
here
in
Boston,
it's
through
my
office
office
of
veteran
services
at
43
Hawkins,
you
could
find
us
at
boston.gov
veterans.
What
I'm
asking
you
to
do
is
if
you
haven't
filled
out
the
claim
for
the
pack
that
do
so
before
August
9th,
if
you
do
it
before
August
9th,
it
is
retro
back
to
when
President
Biden
signed
it
into
law.
A
So
all
that
money,
if
you,
if
you
qualify,
you'll,
get
it
from
when
the
President
Biden
signed
it
up
until
now,
and
you
don't
have
to
have
all
your
paperwork
in
hand
just
come
to
the
office
fill
out.
What's
called
an
intent
to
file
and
that'll
start
your
process
to
for
your
for
your
pack.
That
claim,
if
you
wait
till
after
August
9th,
then
whatever
date
that
you
went
to
sign
and
and
do
the
ITF
or
the
intent
to
file,
that's
the
date
that
you
are
going
to
be
paid.
Those
benefits.
A
These
are
benefits
that
you've
earned.
These
are
benefits
that
you
deserve.
So
please
make
sure
you
go
see
your
vso
and
contact
us
and
start
that
process
with
your
with
your
VA
claim,
and
also,
if
you
haven't
done
so
already,
also
get
VA
health
care
benefits
as
well,
because
that's
going
to
be
a
huge
part
of
it.
We
have
two
wonderful
campuses
here
in
Boston
alone,
in
West,
Roxbury
and
JP
make
sure
you
get
your
health
care
benefits
to
the
VA
because
they're
there
for
you
as
well.
A
We
have
Latasha
white,
she
is
our
integration
and
Advocate
integration
and
transition,
Advocate,
Air,
Force
veteran,
and
we
have
Elliot
paulwag
in
the
back
right.
There,
who's
another
Army
veteran
and
here's
our
community
specialist.
Yes,
so
thank
you
to
my
team.
I
can't
do
this
alone
right
now.
I
would
like
to
call
up
to
do
the
benediction
Patricia
Odom.
B
I'm
back:
wasn't
this
a
really
important
day?
Aren't
you
glad
you
came
okay,
see
what
God
can
do?
Yes,
all
right
I
would
like
to
set
the
final
Prius
Heavenly
Father.
We
are
so
grateful
for
this
moment.
We
are
blessed
to
be
here.
You
held
the
weather
out
for
us
because
I've
been
here
when
it's
been
stormy.
B
Thank
you
for
blessing
us
all
come
together
for
a
moment
that
we'll
never
ever
forget.
This
is
a
moment
that
they've
worked
so
hard
for
to
come
down
in
history
and
it
couldn't
have
happened
without
the
grace
of
God.
We
thank
you
for
all
the
workers
for
everyone.
That's
here.
You
all
played
a
role
in
this
and
let
this
be
an
extended
history
throughout
life
we
accept
this
honor
in
Jesus
name,
we
pray.
B
For
those
of
you
all
that
don't
know
I
know
you
think
I'm,
not
a
veteran,
even
though
I
stood
up
I
saw
some
of
you
looking
at
me
all
strange,
listen
I
am
the
first
female
black
veterans
to
have
ever
served
in
the
Massachusetts
Army
National
Guard,
as
a
production,
recruiter
I
have
been
awarded
all
kind
of
awards.
Certificates
citations,
you
name
it
I
got
it
and
you'll
even
see
me
on
TV.
A
Yeah,
thank
you
Patricia
and
there's
one
last
thing
that
I
have
to
do
before
we
retire
the
colors
there's
a
picture
here
that
I
would
like
to
present
to
Vicky
Vicky.
Where
are
you
she
just
left?
Oh,
so
what
she's
here
can
you
bring
it
so
Vicky
had
gave
me
this
one
picture
of
the
272nd
to
take
a
copy
of.
Can
you
bring
it
here?
T
A
C
C
C
A
Thank
you,
sir.
Likewise.
Thank
you,
ladies
and
gentlemen.
That
concludes
our
dedication
program
for
the
general
Edward
o
gordine
African-American
Veterans
Memorial
Park.
There
is
some
food
here.
Please
help
yourself
to
some
great
food
from
Perry's
catering.
This
park
is
here
for
our
use
and
also
to
continue
to
recognize
and
honor
all
our
African-American
Ventures
so
make
sure
that
you
come
by
and
bring
all
the
young
ones
as
well,
so
they
could
be
educated.