By R. J. Lenarcic
Americans celebrate the 4th of July in a number of ways, the most spectacular of which are the fireworks. Regardless if they’re watched by millions on TV or the family in the backyard, they certainly help usher in our nation’s birthday with a bang. Other celebratory traditions include parades, concerts, picnics, and readings of Jefferson’s classic political treatise in countless village parks. Finally, less prominent than they should be are the media reminders of the leaders of our fight for independence – men named Washington, Adams and Adams, Lafayette, Revere, etc. In their memory, along with all those who fought to make TJ’s words a reality, perhaps we should establish another tradition – a national prayer service of veneration.
Today, I’d like to share with you something else we should know about and remember each Fourth – the role played by Blacks during the Revolutionary War. All told, over 5,000 fought with the Colonists for a variety of reasons. Those in bondage sought their freedom, taking literally Jefferson’s words in the Declaration, “All men are created equal.” Those already free joined the cause in the hope that the less-than-equal conditions under which they existed would change and/or simply because they believed in the patriot cause. And they fought with valor. The following are a few examples of their courage under fire as recorded by white officers or observers.
Salem Poor from Andover, Mass., purchased his own freedom in 1769 for 27 pounds (c. $5,600.00 today). He enlisted in 1775 and fought with such distinction at Bunker Hill that 14 officers cited him for heroism in a petition to the Mass. General Court. In part, it read, “. . . [Poor] behaved like an experienced officer, as well as an excellent soldier . . . in the person of this Negro centers a brave and gallant soldier.” Salem also fought at Saratoga and White Plains. In 1975, Poor was honored with one of the stamps commemorating the U.S. Bicentennial.
Others who also should have appeared on a stamp included Oliver Cromwell and Lambert Lathem. The former served for nearly seven years with the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, fighting at the Battles of Trenton, Monmouth, and Yorktown. He’s best known for his action on behalf of George Washington’s cousin, Col. William Washington. About to be cut down by a Redcoat, the colonel was saved by a shot from Cromwell’s pistol. Latham wasn’t even enlisted when he came to the aid of a Continental garrison under assault by the British near New London, Conn. Helping to defend a small fortification, he kept firing even though he was badly wounded. After the Americans were overwhelmed, a British officer killed our commander as he was in the act of surrendering. Latham grabbed a bayonet and avenged his leader’s death just prior to being killed himself.
Sadly, the contributions of Poor, Cromwell Latham, and the others went for naught. Regardless of whether they fought side by side with white yeomen and shopkeepers or together in their own regiment (Rhode Island’s First), their sacrifices weren’t enough to earn the slaves their freedom or the freed men better lives. In one of history’s bitterest ironies, while America won its struggle for independence, many Blacks, despite fighting for the winning side, lost theirs.
Recently, Blacks still fought for this country and died. In New York State, many of the 324 faces of the men and women on the Fallen Stars Memorial Mural are Black. Included among them is that of Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay. He joined the New York National Guard in 1977. 9/11 had a profound effect on him, as it did on so many others, and he signed up full-time shortly thereafter. On June 26, 2008, Sarge McKay and another of our Fallen Stars, Spec. Marc Palmateer of Poughkeepsie was killed when a roadside bomb hit their convoy in Afghanistan. Like their Revolutionary War brothers before them, a Black man and a white man fighting and dying, only this time not for their independence, but for someone else’s.
As we celebrate today, enjoying the sparklers and bottle rockets, hot dogs and tater salad, parades, and speeches, let’s take a little time to reflect on the reason all this is possible – the sacrifices of men and women throughout our history on battlefields the world over. For a moment, keep in your thoughts men like Salem Poor, Oliver Cromwell, Lambert Latham, and the birthday man. Newton Baptiste told how his best friend loved observing his birthday. “He always said on his birthday everybody celebrates.” Foremost of the revelers were his wife, daughter, and two sons. Sgt. Joe McKay was a true nephew of his Uncle Sam, born on the 4th of July. Today, he would have been 68.
Happy Birthday, America.
Happy Birthday, Sgt. Joseph McKay
R. J. writes eloquently & persuasively about the meaning of this day, the 4th of July always about the struggle against tyranny in any form, threats to our Constitutional Republic coming in waves throughout our 248-year history. What always impresses me, from the time of originally studying the document at Monroe Street Elementary, directly across from the final resting place of African-American citizens, is that the flawed clauses of our Constitution have been corrected through the process of amendments, to provide for African-American equality, plus President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and to provide for women’s suffrage, two heinous omissions from the original document. I can only appreciate the writings of Mr. Lenarcic in reminding us all of what is most important today – not Christmas in July sales, not getting & spending – but genuine reflection with friends, family & community on the blessings bestowed upon us by our Founding Fathers & those who answered the call to defend our freedoms.
Happy 4th of July everyone! Thank you. -Robert