Centennial anniversary of black veterans group deserves attention

My favorite photograph of my father is of him in his navy uniform, posing on the deck of the ship he served on in World War II.

It was a cherished piece of history that disappeared shortly before his death.

The photograph, along with his honorable discharge papers, was a reminder that even when he wasn’t being respected as a citizen, he was a patriot.

But without a griot, black history can easily be lost.

For instance, as many times as I have walked by and driven past the Victory Monument at 35^th and King Drive, I was unaware of its ties to one of the few remaining black American Legion posts in the U.S.

Next month, the George L. Giles Post #87 will celebrate its 100-year anniversary with an open house Aug. 17 at the post, at 5745 S. State St., and a gala the next day Aug. 18.

For 93 of those years, the post has kept this important history alive by leading an annual Veterans Day parade to the Victory Monument.

That sculpture was built in 1927 to honor the Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard — an African American unit.

“At the time we formed the post in 1919, this was the only place that we were allowed to meet and discuss what had happened in our life,” said Cmdr. Ashley Shine Jr., 73.

“This 100-year anniversary is quite a celebration. To be able to achieve 100 years as a veterans organization, but also 100 years of outreach for the community is quite an achievement.”

The post was founded the same year race riots broke out across the country when blacks, returning from WWI, demanded to be treated like full citizens.

Kenneth G. Smith, the post’s finance officer, carries a packet of information about the veteran organization, to educate the community about its significance.

“In the United States, there are only four black posts that started in 1919. With the help of the Pullman porters and the Chicago Defender, they got the word out that if any black veterans wanted to be a member of the American Legion, they could join the George L. Giles post,” Smith said.

“At one time, we had over 1,000 members and was one of the largest posts in the U.S.”

George Giles is also the name of a street that runs from 31^st to 39^th Street.

Giles was only 19, and the best friend of Earl B. Dickerson — a man who went on to break important racial barriers — when he was killed by shrapnel on Oct. 29, 1918.

Giles was buried in France in an American cemetery.

Dickerson returned home and was the first black man to graduate from the University of Chicago Law School. He went on to successfully argue the Hansberry v. Lee case before the U.S. Supreme Court that brought an end to restrictive covenants.

He was the first black Democrat to be elected as an alderman in the City of Chicago.

But when he returned from the trenches, Dickerson was appalled that some legion departments would refuse to give charters to black posts.

It was Dickerson who founded the George L. Giles Post #87, making sure his friend’s name would never be forgotten.

Over the years, the post has kept its doors open to community and participated in the annual Bud Billiken Day parade.

“We developed quite a rapport with the Chicago Defender over the years. We had a drill team and military team with the parade. Over the years, we’ve had a lot of outreach programs, and we’ve been available to veterans who need our help,” Shine said.

Still, too few people know this history.

“I don’t think anybody was looking at it until 10 years ago. Most people have never heard of it. I passed by the place for 20 years and never heard of it,” said Smith who served with the Illinois National Guard after graduating from Dunbar in 1960.

While the post has survived, its home, built in 1889, is showing its age.

“It needs some work. We bought the building in 1944 and moved in in 1945,” Smith said.

Hopefully, this centennial anniversary gala will help raise the funds needed to make that happen.

It’s history, and history is worth preserving.

For further information, contact: Cmdr. Ashley Shine Jr. 773-742-6003 or Ashleyshine5025@comcast.net