Hall of Heroes Hosts Exhibit on Black Soldiers and Communities’ World War II Experiences – Orange County Register

Marine Corps veteran Elliott McKenzie sings the National Anthem during a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum in OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: Exploring African-American Experience of World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Heroes Hall custodian Carol Singleton says a few words during a new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The Experience of Heroes African Americans in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Colonel Franklin Henderson, US Army (Ret), left, and Sergeant Troy Walker, Marines. (Ret) with the 9th and 10th Equestrian Association’s Los Angeles Area Congress talking at the new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, ” Fighting for the Right to Fight: Africans The American Experience of World War Two,” featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories of African-American challenges and achievements during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Hall of Heroes board member Bobby McDonald says a few words during a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, ““ Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War Two,” Includes photographs, artifacts, and stories of African-American challenges and achievements during World War II in United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

The All-American Boys Choir sing during a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The American Experience: The American Experience.” African Americans during World War II,” which includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Heroes Hall board member Bobby McDonald, left, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Patricia Jackson-Kelley, President of the National Association of Black Military Women, and Colonel (Ret) Franklin Henderson listen to speakers during the session. A new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 is titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II,” showcasing the photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Medal of Honor winner, family of SFC Edward Carter, including daughter-in-law Allene Carter, left, and niece, Santalia Carter attend the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19 2022 with the title, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War Two,” which includes photographs, artifacts, and stories of African-American challenges and achievements. during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

More than 100 people attended the opening of a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience: The African American Experience during World War II,” which includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Marine Staff Sergeant (Ret) Dave Culmer talks about discrimination during his military days at a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 2022 with the title, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II,” includes photographs, artifacts, and stories of American challenges and accomplishments. of African descent during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Patricia Jackson-Kelley, President of the National Association of Black Military Women speaks at the new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 with The title, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II,” includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about African-American challenges and achievements during the War. World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Colonel Franklin Henderson speaks a few words during a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The Native American Experience Africa in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Boy Scouts from the Army of 1803 fly a flag during a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The Human Experience African Americans in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Marine Sergeant. Major (Ret) Charles Cook Jr., center left, and 1st Sgt. (Ret) Jack McDowell, both of whom served in three different wars, listens to struggling speakers with a new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 with a headline The title, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II,” includes photographs, artifacts, and stories of African-American challenges and achievements in World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

More than 100 people attended the opening of a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience: The African American Experience during World War II,” which includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

World War II veteran, Augustas Hogan, center, and First Sgt. (Ret) Jack McDowell shares a laugh during a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The Human Experience African Americans in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Khaleel Kilby, 8, posed for a photo with hero Marine Sgt. Major (Ret) Charles Cook Jr., left, and 1st Sgt. (Ret) Jack McDowell, both of whom served in three different wars, during ceremonies for a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled , “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II,” includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about African-American challenges and achievements during the War. World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

People view a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II ,” which includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

Medal of Honor winner, SFC Edward Carter’s family, including his niece, Santalia Carter, center, and daughter-in-law Allene Carter, view the display as they attend a new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War Two,” which included photographs, artifacts, and stories. on the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. SFC Carter earned World War II Distinguished Service Honors, but was not allowed to re-enlist in 1949 because of suspicions of being a communist sympathizer. His son received his father’s Medal of Honor last in 1997. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

People view a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II, ” includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)

People view a new exhibit at the Hall of Heroes Museum at OC Fairgrounds Saturday, February 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: The African American Experience of World War II ,” which includes photographs, artifacts, and stories about the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and abroad. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)