Commander leads walk through Selma’s civil rights trail
National Commander Dale Barnett and Alabama Legionnaires walk across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. during the Walk for Veterans Awareness Walk on Veterans Day.

Commander leads walk through Selma’s civil rights trail

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It was the site of one of the civil rights movement's most iconic moments. Fifty years after marchers were severely beaten in what became known as “Bloody Sunday,” the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., was once again the crossing point for another demonstration. But this demonstration, The American Legion Walk for Veterans, was a uniting moment that was welcomed by Selma officials and veterans of all races.

And it occurred on Veterans Day.

“As a former high school history teacher, I am very aware of the historical significance of the Edmund Pettus Bridge to America, and, in particular, to the civil rights movement,” American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett said prior to the walk. “I cannot think of a better place to have our walk. While veterans today do not face the beatings, discrimination and outright bigotry that those civil rights heroes faced, the location will be a reminder of just how precious freedom is.”

“It is very significant that the national commander chose Selma, so we could all be a part of something so important,” said Selma Mayor George P. Evans. “Veterans marched for us and many veterans lost their lives for us. We remember the veterans of World War II and Vietnam. It’s important because many have parents or other family that were veterans.”

Evans presented Barnett with an offical proclamation declaring Selma’s support for The American Legion Walk for Veterans, which pointed out that The American Legion has been a staunch advocate for veterans since 1919.

One of the main organizers of the walk, Post 324 Commander Benson Webb, was an 11-year-old African-American growing up in Selma during the marches in 1965 which led to the Voting Rights Act.

“While I went across the bridge in some of the less famous marches, my mother would not let me participate in Bloody Sunday,” Webb, a Marine Corps veteran said. “I haven’t watched the movie ‘Selma.’ I remember it the first time. But what happened showed the strength of courage. There were a lot of trying times in the '60s. But Selma has grown so much since then. There is no segregation and people support each other and work hand-in-hand.”

Approximately 70 Legionnaires, family members, friends and supporters participated in the latest bridge-crossing. Barnett took special note of the young participants.

“It’s important that we mentor our youth,” Barnett said. “It’s one of the pillars upon which we were founded. I got hooked on The American Legion when I was involved with Hoosier Boys State in 1969. I know it changed my life and I think we’re changing lives today with these young people. I was able to tell our story to the mayor, to the local newspaper and to these young people. That’s what it’s all about in The American Legion.”

Earlier in the afternoon Barnett and Alabama Legionnaires visited Brown Chapel, the spiritual heart of the voting rights movement and staging point for the 1965 march to Montgomery. Not missing a beat, Legionnaires recruited the tour guide, an Air Force veteran, into the nation’s largest veterans service organization.

Also joining The American Legion Walk for Veterans were members of the Selma, Ala., Post 20 American Legion baseball team. “Since we’re part of American Legion Baseball, we came out here to thank veterans for their service,” said 16-year-old pitcher and first baseman Tripp Phillips. “ The competition in American Legion Baseball is really good. It definitely has helped me improve. Meeting the national commander and all of the veterans is a really good thing.”

“This walk was so historic,” Barnett added, “ because we shared stories about The American Legion. We shared stories about civil rights. We shared stories about equality and how much The American Legion has meant to this community in Selma.”

 


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