How did it feel to be the first African-American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
I was very honored and pleased that I was selected by President George Bush to become the first black Chairman. I also felt a great deal of gratitude towards the black soldiers who had served before me in the past, but because of segregation and racism, never had the chance for themselves to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They were the trailblazers for me. It’s because of their sacrifices that I was able to get to where I got. And now I want to try to make things better for the young people who come after me. Which African Americans do you wish people knew more about? I think we can always benefit from learning more about Dr. King. But there were so many other people of accomplishment who were black who should also be studied: George Washington Carver, Charles Drew, Gen. Chappie James, and Lt. Flipper. I won’t tell you who each of these folks are; I hope you will look them up for yourself if you don’t already know! What is the biggest change you have seen in the mili
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