Bay Area

Black Military Veterans: Our Past and Our Future

The African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit is a pictorial history of the sacrifices and the contributions that African American men and women have made to our nation.

Published

3 years ago

November 27, 2022

Oakland Post

(Left) Bertram Clark, U.S. Navy Vietnam-era veteran, and curator of the African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit, examines a display at the San Leandro Main Library. / Photo credit: Conway Jones

By Conway Jones

Bertram Clark began collecting photographs, posters and memorabilia of African Americans in the military in the 1980s. His dream was to someday open a Museum/Culture Center.

The African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit is a pictorial history of the sacrifices and the contributions that African American men and women have made to our nation.

The exhibit honors these brave and honorable patriots who fought for the freedom of others on foreign soil while they were not afforded their full rights as citizens in their own country.

The exhibit’s more than 100 photographs, posters and articles are from long-time Oakland residents and Vietnam-era veterans.

Clark’s exhibit was on display at the San Leandro Library as a part of the Veterans’ Day celebrations.

“The African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit reveals American history that was, for whatever reason, hidden from most of us,” said David Moragne, a U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam-era veteran.

Clark is happy and honored to share his collection with anyone and everyone who wants to learn about the history, the culture and the contributions that people of African descent have made to America and to the world.

“My goal is to secure this African Americans in the Military During WWII Exhibit in a museum or a university or a private collection, thereby ensuring its place in history for the benefit of future generations,” said Bertram, a U.S. Navy, Vietnam-era veteran.