During Black History Month, Savannah native Dr. Stacy L. Henderson, honored the Montford Point Marines by participating in a series of promotional events and fundraisers for the Montford Point Marines Memorial Monument Campaign. Challenging herself, she ran 28 miles – not only to raise awareness but to raise much needed funds (through sponsorships) to erect the Memorial Monument. She raised thousands of dollars and continues to receive donations and pledges for continued support for the Memorial Monument Fund. Other fundraisers included a Book Signing Brunch and ‘Meet & Greet,’ a Black History Month Bid Whist Tournament and a Chicago Style Steppers Set.
Stacy also made personal appearances with and on behalf of the Montford Point Marines of Chicago, to include: the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Summit held at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters (Of course, she represented her Alma Mater-Savannah State College (now Savannah State University).
She attended the Chicago Auto Show; Veterans Arts Festival at the Captain James A. Lovell Veterans Administration Hospital; MPMA St. Louis Chapter ‘Chosen Few’ Banquet; Black History Month Observance at Malcolm X College and the WVON 1690 AM Radio ‘Black Heritage Film Series,’ – just to name a few. She also published informational News Articles and hosted screenings of the films ‘The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom’ and ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ at Chicago-area libraries.
In March, Stacy will run in the Back on My Feet Mardi Gras 5K Race which uses the power of running to help change the lives of those, including veterans, experiencing homelessness in Chicago. In May, she will also run in the Soldier Field 10 Mile Race for Charity; she is representing the Montford Point Marine Association, Inc., the National Women Veterans United (NWVU) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Both charity races are sponsored by Fleet Feet Sports – Chicago.
The Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. (MPMA) is a non-profit 501c3 organization established to perpetuate the legacy of the first 20,000 African-American Marines who entered the U. S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1949. They were not sent to the traditional boot camps of Parris Island, South Carolina and San Diego, California. Instead, African-American Marines were segregated, experiencing basic training at Camp Montford Point, a facility near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In June 2012, President awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, DC. In March 2013, the Navy christened the first Mobile Landing Platform in the fleet in their honor: USNS Montford Point (MLP-1). The Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. is working diligently to raise the $120,000 needed in order to break ground for the Memorial Monument in June 2014. Afterwards, their fundraising efforts will continue until the $1.8 million needed to complete the monument has been raised.
To learn more about the Montford Point Marines, and/or to help Dr. Henderson with her Memorial Monument Fundraising Campaign, log onto www.montfordpointmarines.org; click on the ‘Friends Asking Friends’ Campaign link; click on Fundraising Participant Dr. Stacy L. Henderson, MPMA National Queen, 2013-14; and make your charitable tax-deductible donation. If you would like to donate to the MPMA National Scholarship Fund, mail a check or Money Order payable to MPMA National Scholarship Fund to her at: P. O. Box 886913 Great Lakes, IL 60088. Stacy sends a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supports her fundraising efforts!
The Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. is comprised of 40 Chapters nationwide and membership is open to veterans and active members of all branches of the Armed Forces, regardless of race, creed or national origin. The Association carries out educational assistance programs for our youth and numerous veteran and community outreach initiatives. Thank you for your generosity and ‘Preserving the Legacy’ of the Montford Point Marines!
Source: Savannah Herald, March 12, 2014
Photo Credit: Eugene (Gene) Campbell, MPMA Chicago Chapter #2