The Rev. Ronald Myers, founder and national chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, congratulates 94-year-old Elbert Theodore Link

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NEWS STORY Alton Vet Earns National Honor www.NationalJuneteenth.com

http://www.juneteenthalaskaalcan.com/news.html The Gazette-Virginian (online) South Boston, VA Written by Staff Wednesday, 23 June 2010 07:45 The Rev. Ronald Myers, founder and national chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, congratulates 94-year-old Elbert Theodore Link who was presented the 2010 National Juneteenth Military Honors Award in Washington on Saturday. (Submitted photo) A 94-year-old Alton native was recognized Saturday in Washington, D.C. as recipient of the National Juneteenth Military Honors Award.Elbert T. Link, a World War II veteran and participant in the Alcan Highway Initiative, was named the 2010 recipient of the National Juneteenth Military Honors Award before family, friends and dignitaries. Congressman Danny K. Davis and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) held a forum Saturday in the Rayburn House Office Building recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day. Saturday was Juneteenth Independence Day, the date when slavery ended in America. For more than 135 years, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor African American freedom as inspiration and encouragement for future generations. A humble Link, now a resident of Washington, accepted the award Saturday as family, friends and congressional leaders looked on. Born May 3, 1916, in Alton, Link served in the United States Army in the 93rd Engineer Regiment for four years and 10 days and was honorably discharged after having reached the rank of corporal. Link recalled one of his amazing and most memorable assignments was building the Alaska Highway, formerly known as the ALCAN Highway, during WWII, 1942-1943. His regiment was one of the first to arrive in Scagway, Alaska, Link said. A major feat, the 1,523 mile-long Alaska Highway was constructed by the United States Army engineers in only eight months and 12 days in a time span from March to November. Link explained the highway was built during the war to provide an overland military supply to Alaska. Prior to the Alcan Highway Initiative, African American units did not work under white supervision, according to historical records. When it was foreseen that the highway would not be built in time if more troops were not available, Congress allowed three colored regiments - the 93rd, 95th and 97th - to work alongside the non-colored units. Due in part to the hard work and dedication to these men, African Americans were integrated into all military units in 1947. Link is one of many soldiers who played a role in this historic endeavor. After serving in the United States Army, the Alton native was employed at the Senate Barber Shop located at the Capitol where he worked from 1962 until 1980 cutting the hair of many senators including Senators Robert Kennedy and Strom Thurmond Sr. Link also cut Vice President Joe Biden's hair when he was a senator. Currently Link serves as a deacon at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Washington. _________________________________________ GALVESTON JUNETEENTH 2010 National Holiday Observance www.njof.org/Galveston.html "June Is Black Music Month!" CELEBRATING JUNETEETH JAZZ "Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!" www.JuneteenthJazz.com Report - 1st Annual 2009 JUNETEENTH ALASKA ALCAN HIGHWAY CELEBRATION www.JuneteenthAlaskaALCAN.com Report 2009 WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance www.njclc.com/wj2009report.htm MEMBERSHIP http://njof.org/Membership.html SCHEDULE OF EVENTS WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2010 http://njof.org/Calendar.html "Together we will see Juneteenth become a national holiday in America!" Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., Chairman National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP) 662-247-3364 662-247-1471 www.NationalJuneteenth.com An Advocate for Preserving America's Classical Music "JAZZ" It's African American Legacy, Heritage and Roots George V Johnson Jr Executive Director & Founder Washington DC Jazz Network THE GEORGE V JOHNSON JR SHOW Exploring America's Classical Music "JAZZ" Official Site - Click link . JOIN US IN THE CHAT ROOM OR FEEL FREE TO CALL THE STUDIO 1-347-637-3988 A popular musician "Stevie Wonder" spurred a campaign to declare the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King a National holiday, and a petition gathered so many supporting signatures that it was declared the largest petition for an issue in U.S. history. January 15 is the birthday of the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was declared a holiday in 1983. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Leader, Humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Born on January 15, 1929. 'TOGETHER WE WILL SEE JUNETEENTH BECOME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN AMERICA!" Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. Founder & Chairman National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC) Baptist Minister - African-American Classical Musician/Jazz (Piano & Trumpet) Medical Doctor (American Academy of Family Physicians) Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. Urges President Obama to Issue a Presidential Proclamation to Establish Juneteenth as a National Holiday Observance in America Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) submitting legislation to make Juneteenth a National Day of Observance Read More Response to INVITATION National Juneteenth Chair www.NationalJuneteenth.com Thank you for your invitation to attend your Juneteenth event. Unfortunately, I will be in Washington DC working diligently on the passage of the Juneteenth Independence Day National Day of Observance legislation in the U.S. Senate, then passage by the U.S. House of Representatives and finally for signature by President Barack Obama during our annual WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH National Holiday Observance June 17 - June 18, 2010. This will be followed by a trip to Galveston, TX for our annual GALVESTON JUNETEENTH National Juneteenth Observance (the "19th of June," Juneteenth Independence Day, Saturday, June 19, 2010) Sen. Roland Burris, (D-IL) Working Together Works! George V Johnson Jr & Co-Host Dr. Larry Ridley Interivew Rev, Dr. Ron Myers Sr. MD - Second Interview in Blogtalk Radio Player Below: A War For Your Soul-Birmingham version from Erisai Films on Vimeo. LARRY RIDLEY Executive Director AFRICAN AMERICAN JAZZ CAUCUS 212-979-0304 African American Jazz Caucus Official Website WORKING TOGETHER WORKS! MISSION: The African American Jazz Caucus, Inc., is dedicated to protecting, preserving and perpetuating the rich cultural heritage of jazz, which is one of our indigenous musical art forms. PRESERVING THE JAZZ LEGACY Jazz is an art form which has its origins, spiritual, heritage and cultural roots in Africa, African American communities and the African Diaspora. The African American Jazz Caucus, Inc. (AAJC), is proactively working to maintain the aesthetic integrity, heritage, legacy and historical facts germane to the music. We are engaged in creating programs and providing services to further jazz education and jazz audiences. The Caucus invites and encourages proactive members to share their expertise in our networking with national and international communities. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS WASHINGTON JUNETEENTH 2010 Click Here ADDITIONAL WASHINGTON DC JUNETEENTH EVENTS DC Jazz Festival George V Johnson Jr Quintet Comes to Blues Alley - JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION Dedicated to Eddie Jefferson - Monday, June 7, 2010 RSVP Today! Courtney Nero Quartet featuring George V Johnson Jr Friday, June 11, 2010 JAZZ CAFE at Asbury United Methodist Celebrating Juneteenth George V Johnson Jr Quintet - HANK MOBLEY 80th Birthday Celebration featuring Philadelphia Saxophone Legend Bootsie Barnes, BobButta-p, Steve Novosel-b, Nasar Abadey-d Chocolate City Tour - Black History in Washington DC as You've Neve... CHOCOLATE CITY TOURS "Together we will see Juneteenth become a national holiday in America!" Mississippi Now the 36th State to Recognize Juneteenth - Mississippi's Rev., Dr. Ronald Myers, Sen.Willie Simmons Champions Juneteenth Legislation in Mississippi CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE DETAILS... Harriette "MOSES" Tubman She never lost a passenger on the underground railroad . Among her passengers were musicians, future politicians and many others who help to build this great nation in which we live! Little did we know her actions would help create and preserve a legacy.. African chants & drums, field songs, gospel, blues, ragtime, fiddles, and horns....America's Classical Music "JAZZ" was born! Guided by her “visions,” she has never lost a passenger. Even if Moses can’t fit you into her next group, she’ll tell you how to follow the North Star to freedom.... This is my stop. Tell Harriette thanks.... It's Time for a Change! Fasten your seat belts. We've got lots of work to do... Exploring America's Classical Music with Trudy Pitts, Philadelphia ... Click for details