“The Mt. Union story is a
true testimony of moral courage and human dignity. It
is a testimony of the tenacity that Black Americans have
possessed to overcome the obstacles placed in their way.
It has been said that there are two basic types of tenacious
people: bit players on the world stage, who struggle to
survive and lead lives of quiet dignity; and those who
are movers and shakers – those key players who bring
about momentous change whether on the battlefield, in
a laboratory, or at a meeting of world leaders. In Mt.
Union both types of tenacious people are present.
“There is an abundance of profound wisdom in
this story, insight that has contributed immeasurably
to their success. They came from a close agricultural
community that had somewhat been forgotten by the rest
of society, yet they did not allow this to inhibit their
ability to prevail. On the world stage they became generals,
teachers, doctors, showing the world that where you come
from doesn’t dictate where you’re going. There
are those who make opportunities for you, open doors for
you, but as Colonel Howard Daniels stated “It’s
our responsibility to walk through those doors.”
And the doors that the residents of Mt. Union have since
walked through, resonates these words. We are all born
somebody, and when we become adults we want to be “somebody.”
This wisdom reinforces the fact that where we go in life
is determined by our own commitment. Our mothers, fathers,
grandparents, etc. can influence, but our destiny in life
is determined by our own commitment.
“The Mt. Union story is a part of our history
that every young Black American must see. Today too much
of our younger generation has lost sight of the importance
of personal responsibility, the key ingredient to one’s
success.
“On a personal note, my success in life is
owed to an individual of the Mt. Union documentary, Lt.
General Julius Becton. In 1979 I was a dishwasher in a
restaurant in Harrison, New Jersey. One day while waiting
for the bus, I spotted the Ebony magazine on the newsstand.
The cover story caught my attention, “Meet the Boss
of the United States Army’s biggest combat force.”
Lt. General Becton was the Commanding General of the Seventh
Army Corps in Germany, a unit composed of more than 88,000
troops. General Becton’s success became a driving
force for me to earn my GED and leave the dead-end dishwasher
job.
“Last November I had the opportunity to convey
my gratitude to General Becton for his positive influence
in my life. A requirement of an English class I was enrolled
in, the student had to write a paper on a social or professional
issue of personal importance. I chose to write my paper
on Executive Order 9981. One of the requirements was that
we had to interview someone relevant to our topic. I had
the distinct pleasure of interviewing Admiral Reason.
Also the student had to write a letter to ask someone
to read our paper. The letter did not have to be mailed,
however I chose this opportunity to write General Becton
to let him know the impact his success had on my life.
I received a B for the paper and an A for the course.”
- Andre Grisham
Disbursing Management Instructor
Government Education & Training Programs
Tidewater Community College – Norfolk, VA