Morgan Freeman provides remarks at the Blue Star Families’ Freedom to Serve: Integrating the Armed Services event, July 2023.
On July 26, ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, and defense fellow, Zoe Wertlieb, attended a panel symposium hosted by Blue Star Families titled “Freedom to Serve: Integrating the Armed Services.”
The symposium, located at Howard University, celebrated the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9981, which integrated the U.S. armed forces in 1948.
“There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin,” the E.O. reads.
Notable symposium speakers included the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, and Morgan Freeman.
“While Executive Orders 9980 and 81 of 1948 were certainly not the nation’s first steps towards advancing equality and the fair treatment of all, they had a marked effect on our national psyche,” said secretary Del Toro. “Indeed, these orders, laid a strong foundation for our national leaders to build upon the civil rights movement in the following decades.”
Following the event, ROA’s director of operations, retired navy Cmdr. Trey Criner, spoke to the significance of E.O. 9981.
“Desegregation offers the full potential of the American people and military,” said ROA’s director of operations, retired Navy Commander Trey Criner. “We must continue to ensure the uniformed services are well equipped to provide an attractive value proposition for Americans from all backgrounds. Having signed both E.O. 9981 and ROA’s congressional charter, we commend President Truman for his actions in this arena and continue to fight for freedom, a strong national security, and servicemembers and their families.”
ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, and defense fellow, Zoe Wertlieb, pictured with USAF Master Sgt. Nykita Stoudemire, at the Blue Star Families’ Freedom to Serve: Integrating the Armed Services event, July 2023.