In December of 1863 my Great Great Grandfather, William Henry Halstead, who
lived in Tarrytown, New York, traveled to New Haven, Connecticut to join the
29th Connecticut Colored Infantry. On his Volunteer Enlistment papers it notes
his occupation as a farmer. He enlisted for three years and was discharged on the
24th day of October 1865. He married and had five children. William Henry
Halstead passed away in 1888 and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in
Tarrytown, New York. His wife moved to New York City with her five children.
Her children grew up in Harlem and belonged to various organizations such as Odd
Fellows, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Daughters of New
York.
Special honor & glory to the Black soldiers, including my Great, great Grandfather William Henry Halstead, 29th Colored Regiment, CT, who served in the Civil War even though at first…
Memorial Day in America is a day set aside to Honor Veterans who have passed away and especially those who were killed in battle. So I dedicate this poem and verse to my Dad Edward Gordon Palmer, (Feb. 11, 1930 – May 13th, 1995) Rest in Peace Daddy. Living Veterans including myself get their special day on November 11th which we in the United States call Veterans Day.
Who Knows My Story or My Song
America You Know Not My Story Nor My Song.
Black, African, Native American, Asian, Hispanic.
We wore OD Green, camouflage, Dress Greens.
Now I wear a different uniform.
Once you saluted and proudly hailed my years of service with snarky sweet platitudes.
Now you curse and revile me. A Woman. A Man. Those Who proudly served Our Country have become less than the grass and dirt under our feet but remember it was we who cultivated your Land. The Land to which we shall all return. The Land We call America.
When?! When America will you see that Brown face as you sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, mothers & fathers.
I Love You America though you still don’t Love me. I Love you so much that even without the strength of my youth I would gladly serve you again for my ancestral bonds run deep within your soil.
Though you try you can never eliminate me or others like me for we are the fabric of human society. Creators of multiple galaxies and universes. We shall Live Forever.
Double V for Victory
Back in World War II Black soldiers fought for Double Victory. Victory overseas and Victory over discrimination and racism at home. As you well know African Americans have proudly served our country during all its conflicts despite never getting any recognition and returning to a country that despised us.
My Dad Edward G. Palmer served during the Korean War. Fortunately he did not go to Korea otherwise I would not be here today but Dad in his own way fought for Victory back home. I still remember my parents quietly talking at night about lynchings, the KKK and the murders of Civil Rights Workers. I was supposed to be asleep but I silently left my room to find out what they were discussing.
Dad hoped that my generation would have it better. There was some change thanks to the Civil Rights movement but even today Victory at Home is an elusive concept for Black Americans.
Just the fact that a few days ago some of us had a discussion on how we have to protect our developmentally disabled sons and brothers from being shot by the police speaks to that.
Some were killed in the various wars. However some died fighting for Victory here at home. A level playing ground eludes us. Every day racism and for women sexism and ageism will and has killed more of us than any war on foreign soil. I’m in that latter group.
As my Dad used to say, “The more things change. The more they stay the same.
Stephen and I went to the 12:10 showing of X-Men Apocalypse at the Jamaica Multiplex theater located in Jamaica, Queens, New York.
We got into the movie for only $20 bucks.
Me as a Senior and Stephen as my child!!
All by showing my AARP card! LOL!!
Let’s see now! Stephen just turned 55 earlier this month and I turned 57 back in February. Hmmm… That means I was two years old when I had my brother!! Ha!! Ha!!
X-Men Apocalypse Movie Review
This was a great movie. Initially the movie starts out in Egypt and even though you do see some Black or Brown skinned actors playing those roles it would have made me happier to see more people of color especially Black Women. In 3600 B.C.E. I thought there would have been any white people in Egypt. Directors and Producers need to acknowledge that Egypt is located in and part of Africa and Nubians ruled Ancient Egypt.
The directors take the audience back in time to explain some of the X-Men Mutant origins. All the cast are newer and younger actors (20 somethings) except Wolverine who is played by the same actor as in the previous movies but only has a small short role in this film. The movie also tells how the character Storm evolved from a petty thief who was initially on the dark side and how she discovered the truth transferring her allegiance to the good guys.
Without giving any spoilers a Woman mutant defeats the evil being and saves humanity. Excellent story-line and plot. Plenty of action.
Captain America | Civil War
Yesterday Stephen and I went to see Captain America | Civil War. Another enjoyable action filled movie. Stephen really enjoyed this movie and my personal favorite character is the Black Panther. Love him!! Next year Black Panther is supposed to get his own feature film I would really Love to see his role expanded. In fact I’d Love to see any Black Super Hero Male or Female role’s expanded and pushed to the forefront since one sees very few African or African-American Super-Heroes and even if you do see them they always see to be the loyal buddy or side kick to the white super hero. Time for Super Heroes of African Descent to Rise to the Top where we Belong!!
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 