Harriet Tubman elevated to brigadier general in Maryland National Guard
By Alexis Taylor AFRO Managing Editor
Relatives, elected officials and special guests from around the state came together Nov. 11 to officially elevate Harriet Tubman to the rank of brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard.
The ceremony, held on Veterans Day at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, included powerful remarks from Maryland Gov.
Wes Moore and Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, Maryland’s 31st adjutant general.
General Tubman is known for being a fierce leader of the Underground Railroad, a network of abolitionists, freedmen and women and former slaves that assisted those in bondage as they fled to northern states of the country, and later, Canada.
Born a slave in Dorchester County, Md., Tubman came into the world as “Araminta Ross” in 1822. After
decades of chattel slavery, she ran away to freedom in 1849. Though she had escaped with her life, it wasn’t enough– especially when her parents and siblings remained in chains.
According to information released by the Department of Natural Resources, between 1850 and 1860 General Tubman ventured back into slave territory on more than a dozen separate occasions to lead friends, family and strangers to freedom.
In 1862 John Andrew, who served the state of Massachusetts as governor at the time, selected Tubman to serve the Union Army’s Department of the South. Her title was union spy and she quickly distinguished herself. In 1863, General Tubman supplied the Union Army with information to conduct a raid on Confederate forces near Beaufort, S.C. In the raid, more than 750 humans were freed from their chains and– similar to her record on the Underground Railroad– not a single Union soldier was lost. For her work, she received $100. Tubman died on March 10, 1913 and received semi-military honors along with her internment at Fort Hill Cemetery in New York.
Baltimore honors local service members with 2024 Veterans Day parade
By Alexis Taylor AFRO Managing Editor
Residents lined the streets of Baltimore
Nov. 9 for the Veterans Day parade, an annual celebration of the service members who call Charm City “home.” Hundreds came out to say thank you to the veterans who have helped sustain the U.S. Army; U.S. Air Force; U.S. Marine Corps; U.S. Navy; the Coast Guard and yes, even the youngest branch of the military, the U.S. Space Force.
The parade kicked off at the Washington Monument, located in the heart of the Mt. Vernon- Belvedere area, and concluded at the War Memorial Plaza, across from City Hall. All along the way the sound of marching bands could be heard, as dancers pranced down St. Paul street and other participants passed out miniature American flags.
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott could be seen making his way down the parade route, shaking hands and speaking with residents on the sidewalk. Veterans young and old looked on with pride as the parade line passed by. Other elected officials, such as Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), took part in the wreath laying at the Washington Monument.
All photos courtesy of Flikr/ Maryland Office of the Governor, except where noted
Rep. Adrienne Jones (D-Md.- District 10), speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, addresses the crowd.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks with pride at the commissioning ceremony of the woman now known as General Harriet Tubman in the Maryland National Guard.
Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, Maryland’s 31st adjutant general, speaks on the work done with state legislators to properly rank Harriet Tubman in the Maryland National Guard.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor Peggy Ross, a descendant of Harriet Tubman’s brother, keeps the memory of her aunt alive.
Tina Wyatt, great-great-great-grandniece of General Harriet Tubman, is moved to tears as the commissioning ceremony comes to a close.
Shown here, General Harriet Tubman’s star, awarded posthumously for her service to the country during the Civil War.
Tonet Cuffee, a great-great-greatgrandniece of General Harriet Tubman, looks on as Gov. Wes Moore speaks on the contributions of her aunt.
Veterans of Baltimore City are honored on Nov. 9 at the 2024 Veterans Day parade.
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott prepares to lay a wreath in front of the The Black Soldier Memorial Statue, with Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos (D-Baltimore City-14) at his side. The piece was created in 1972 by legendary artist James E. Lewis.
The Marching Flock, formed by a combination of students from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Western High School, participate in the 2024 Veterans Day parade.
Members of the Baltimore City Fire Department pay homage to the service members within their ranks.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume (DMd.-07) speaks to the crowd before laying a wreath at the Washington Monument in Baltimore.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor Robert Richardson, 89, a veteran of the Air Force, takes a moment to reflect on his 10 years of service.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor Russell J. Yarborough Jr. says the service providers at the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET) saved his life when he was battling alcohol addiction after leaving the U.S. Army.
Photos courtesy of the Baltimore City Office of the Mayor / J.J. McQueen, except where noted