Shreveport veteran highlights contributions of minority service members at LSUS Veterans Day ceremony

Shreveport veteran highlights contributions of minority service members at LSUS Veterans Day ceremony

SHREVEPORT -- When Ken Epperson Sr. graduated from Shreveport's all-Black Union High School in 1965, he didn't hesitate to join the United States Army.

In an era where some aspects of society were still segregated, Epperson said he used what he learned in the Army to affect change.

As the keynote speaker at LSUS's Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, Epperson highlighted contributions of Black service men and women that the nation didn't fully accept or appreciate at the time.

"I volunteered for the Army right away after graduation -- enlisted in a country where Black soldiers like me were still barred from the same hotels and restaurants as White soldiers," said Epperson, who attained the rank of Specialist-5 in his three years as a finance and personnel administrator in Germany and Oklahoma. "I chose not to be bitter … I chose to take what I learned in the military like discipline, teamwork, integrity, and get involved in the process to change the system entirely.

"Ordinary people said yes to extraordinary duties then came home and went back to work, raise families, and built neighborhoods. They were simply called to believe and give our lives to service something greater than our own."

Epperson did that as well, working in manufacturing, utilities and aviation logistics while operating local businesses.

Public service, and being a voice for military veterans, eventually followed his military service.

Epperson became the only person in Caddo Parish to be elected across two separate commission districts, serving nearly three decades.

His address showcased the service of others, including about 5,000 Black soldiers in the U.S. Continental Army during the American Revolution.

"By 1777, most Continental regiments had Black soldiers in their ranks, which made it the most integrated American army until the 1940s," said Epperson, who added that non-Whites were banned from serving in 1792 with some Blacks returned to bondage after their service. "In Rhode Island, a regiment made up of mostly Black and Native American soldiers, held the right flank at the Battle of Rhode Island and earned praised from generals who had watched them.

"Those soldiers earned their place with their blood, and the country took generations to say 'Thank you.'"

Epperson recounted the accomplishments of the Harlem Hellfighters, who served under French command instead of a segregated U.S. command in World War I.

"Sgt. William Henry Johnson earned the nickname 'Black Death' because of his repeated efforts repelling a German raiding party, including with just a bolo knife after his and his partner's guns jammed and his partner was injured," Epperson said. "But he and those men returned home and had to fight for respect.

"Honoring our veterans means telling the whole truth about their service. Every veteran irrespective of who they are or where they are from needs to be honored and recognized for their service because we all did it on behalf of these great United States of America."