This concerns us. We went from 54 percent of our black youth expressing a desire to serve in some branch of the military in 1989 to 32 percent in 1994. This compares to white youths who went from 26 to 22 percent. So, I ask your help to turn this situation around by encouraging all of our youth to consider serving in our military and in our Air Force. African-Americans have historically volunteered in large numbers to help defend our nation since its inception.
Examples abound everywhere.
African-Americans fought in the Continental Army to help defeat the British. Black sailors and soldiers fought in the War of 1812. Blacks made up 12 percent of the Union Army by 1865, and they earned 20 Medals of Honor during the Civil War. Following that war, the Buffalo Soldiers played a key role in pacifying the West with their heroism. And they were there at San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt and the other Rough Riders.