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For years, I have followed and admired the tireless efforts of Nicholas Ruden regarding proper recognition of our beloved veterans who were killed or risked their lives so that we might remain a democracy.

Some years ago, I talked to Ruden about his plans and expressed my concerns regarding the lack of recognition of our black veterans here in High Point, during WWII. He told me his plans included recognition of black veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thanks, Nicholas, for trying to help right a wrong that has for so long been kept quiet.

It's hard for some people to accept that even during war, our military establishment followed the norms of society and segregated everything associated with military service.

Municipalities across the nation followed suit by making everything from enlisting to dying unequal.

I find it hard to understand how people can color-code dying and sacrificing for our country. Surely the death of my Uncle Carl Chavis, who was killed trying to save his battalion, as well as other local black men who were killed during the war, are worthy of equal recognition.

For some reason, we think that by only talking about the good, the bad will be forgotten.

I always say: Reverse the characters and assume the role of the underdog, then tell me the story based on how you feel.

In September of 1918, the local newspaper ran what was called the "Registration Section," which contained the names of all men registering for military service in High Point during September: 1,855 black and white men registered to fight for our country.

This was the good red, white and blue part of the story. When you examine the document closely, you see that black registrants were identified with an asterisk after their name. One little symbol left hundreds of black soldiers feeling unappreciated.

On July 2, 1942, a newspaper story headline reads, "Six Local Boys to be Honored in City Sunday: Six High Point boys who have died in the service of their country will be paid tribute at the city-wide memorial service which will be held at the Junior H.S. auditorium Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m."

In another section of the same paper, under the heading "The Memorial Service for Next Sunday" the author writes, "High Point will not forget those who are serving in that cause, living and fighting for it, or dying that it may prevail."

In the News of Colored People section of the paper, under the heading "Memorial Service," colored citizens were invited to attend; seats were reserved for them in the balcony.

This was announced as the first of a series of services to pay tribute to all High Point boys, white and Negro, who died in the service of their country. A plaque made of walnut veneer background with an inlaid gold star with the soldier's name was presented to the parents of each soldier memorialized.

Up to this point, I am feeling good about all of our servicemen being remembered, regardless of color.

Then I look at the column next to the News of Colored People, and there is a section called "Boys in the Service and what they are doing in this Country and abroad."

I see nine pictures and 11 stories, not one about a black soldier. This and the "Our Men and Women in Service" ran constantly in the newspaper but never contained a picture or story about a black soldier.

Pictures and stories like this would lead you to believe blacks were not serving in the military.

I can only imagine how this must have hurt the loved ones of black soldiers.

What happened to "High Point will not forget those who are serving in that cause"?

High Point City Council minutes from March 1944 - under the heading miscellaneous, "Plaque Honoring Soldiers" - reported the mayor's recommendation that he be authorized to appoint a Memorial Committee of six or seven people, "whose duty it will be to ascertain the names of all the boys who lost their lives in the armed services during WWII; that the committee be authorized to plan and conduct a suitable memorial service at least every three months, or more often if deemed necessary, honoring our World War dead; and that at such meeting each family be presented with a plaque from the City of High Point as a token of appreciation and recognition of those who have made the supreme sacrifice."

The recommendation was approved and $235 authorized to purchase 100 plaques.

On May 28, 1944, the High Point Memorial Service, honoring 48 soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice, was held at the junior high school. High Point honored 77 fallen soldiers Nov. 10, 1946, at the high school. A memorial plaque with the soldier's name and a statement of recognition on the back was presented officially by the city of High Point to the family of each soldier.

When I saw the date of the 1946 service, I knew our city government had failed again to treat all of its servicemen equally. What happened to paying tribute "to all High Point boys, white and Negro, who died in the service of their country"?

My uncle, Carl Chavis, died a decorated hero Sept. 11, 1944. Carl, reportedly the first Negro soldier from High Point killed in WWII, was never recognized, nor was our family given a plaque at one of the many memorial services.

I am angry that the Memorial Committee didn't ascertain the names of "all" the boys who lost their lives during WWII, and nothing has ever been done to rectify this injustice.

Recognizing soldiers who laid down their lives for this country was a good thing. Excluding black soldiers was the bad and ugly we have failed to address.

I think that the city of High Point owes a memorial plaque to the families of all black soldiers killed in action through the date of the last memorial services.

I would even settle for a proclamation that says, "Thank you, and I am sorry for the way you were treated."

As I said earlier, put on the shoes of every black family that lost a loved one and tell me how you would feel.

Glenn Chavis researches and writes about High Point's black history. Contact him at Storytime40@aol.com