WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is honored to join the nation in celebrating our nation’s Black American service members, veterans and their families throughout the month of February, National Black History Month.
When Carter G. Woodson set out in 1926 to establish a time to promote and educate people about Black history and culture, he wanted to remind Americans that Black history is America’s history. While initially observed as a weeklong commemoration, it was President Gerald Ford who, in 1976, issued the first official observance and the establishment of Black History Month, a homage for which every American president, Democrat and Republican, has issued proclamations. The 2024 White House proclamation on National Black History Month can be found here.
National Black History Month offers the opportunity to both celebrate and educate generations of Americans on the triumphs by a rich cultural heritage that has played such a vital role in making our country what it is today.
Neither America, nor its armed forces would possess such strength and the long history of success without the innumerable contributions and bravery of our Black veterans. The VFW salutes all Black American service members, veterans and their families for their indelible contributions to our freedom and our way of life.