Bridging the Gap or making a new one???

From the Syr Post-Standard:
Syracuse, NY - Herb Dunmore was 19 attending night school when he was drafted for the Vietnam War. Six months later, he was in combat in Vietnam.
His patrol group was walking when an enemy mine exploded under them in 1966. Shrapnel cut through his face, elbow, and leg. He spent seven weeks in the hospital and was awarded a Purple Heart, an honor given to military members wounded or killed while serving.
“It was a very harrowing experience,” said Dunmore, who has lived in Syracuse for over 40 years
Dunmore and others fear that the rich military history of Syracuse’s Blacks, Latinos and other veterans of color is largely unknown by the community.
That concern could be addressed by the end of next year. A monument that commemorates the contributions of current military members and veterans of color from Syracuse is planned for Kirk Park on the city’s South Side. People of color who served in war or peace will be honored.
The Syracuse Common Council approved $250,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act fund for the memorial last year.
Former Syracuse councilor Michael Atkins, who is leading the effort, estimated it will cost around $500,000 in total. The additional funds would be raised from local companies.
The design of the memorial has not been determined. The city is hosting two community design sessions next month, where participants can share their opinions.
Atkins, a Syracuse native, got the idea for the monument when he saw the flagpole at Kirk Park did not have an American flag
Atkins and others hope the monument, which will be next to the football field, will encourage residents to use the park and inspire children of color to see what they are capable of.
“I think it’s important for the youth to know what contributions are made by friends, relatives, and Blacks in the military. Right now they’re oblivious,” said Alonso Senior, who served in the Air National Guard from 1966 to 1972.
The monument will only represent minority groups, a decision veterans said is not to be exclusive, but to give voice to the experiences and sacrifices specific to people of color.
**********************
I have a better ideal! There should be 3 men for the statue -
1 Black, 1 white, 1 yellow - then it would represent how the Army was the leader in bridging the divisions of the races. I remember what my Drill Sgt said the first night of Basic Training - He told us that the Viet Cong were color blind - you see - they would kill you if you had on a Green uniform!
Were there racial problems in the military - of course - but ib was becoming the exception not the rule.
I say - lets show our kids that we are bridging the gaps.