First African-American Tomb Sentinel
First African-American Tomb Sentinel

3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) 

Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1959 during the Civil Rights Movement, SP4 Fred Moore volunteered for service in the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). At 6’1″, 185 pounds and a member of 3rd Platoon, Honor Guard Company, Moore conducted burials in Arlington National Cemetery, marched in parades and participated in various ceremonies.

When Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his official state visit, he asked President Kennedy why he did not see anyone of color performing duties as a Sentinel. Shortly after, Moore was directed to report to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for training. On a crisp morning in March of 1961, SP4 Fred Moore stepped onto the marble floor to perform his first walk as an official Tomb Guard.

He was the first African-American Tomb Sentinel.

#AfricanAmericanHistoryMonth#BlackHistoryMonth#BHM#AmericasRegiment

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Sgt Michael R. Hilbert, USMC, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter PI 887 is a veterans service organization located in Angeles City, Philippines.

The motto of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is โ€œNever again will one generation of veterans abandon anotherโ€œ. The VVA is a congressionally chartered national organization that serves Vietnam-era veterans and their families. The organization was founded in Washington, D.C. in January 1978 by 15 Vietnam veteran advocates. The VVA has been a leader in advocating for the U.S. government to fulfill its obligations to veterans.

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