Two-Fer

Hats off to Third Infantry Regiment Leadership

I was at Arlington National Cemetery with a group on Thursday and we visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.

Created after World War l, it honors all soldiers who died unidentified, often remaining in situ.

The guard being relieved during the ceremony was an African American female and the oncoming guard was an African American male.

A Black woman as a Tomb Guard is evidence that the U.S. Army, despite their many challenges, advances the righteous cause of equity and diversity.

I worked with a senior fire department officer who once said, “If you are serious about diversity, it has to be an everyday goal.”

Meaning, of course, that diversity doesn’t come to you, you have to make it happen through substantive recruitment measures, fair training and advancement opportunities.

Racial, gender and sexual inequality remain in the U.S. military but they have shown the ability and the commitment to create change.

But forget what I think.

Focus instead on all children and young adults of many colors who see such examples and think either “that could be me” or were introduced to the idea that equity (and excellence) is both gender and color blind.

That’s the American ideal.