Dabney S. Lancaster Community College’s Office of Student Activities has scheduled back-to-back presentations in observance of Black History Month. Two guest speakers will be in Moomaw Center on the Clifton Forge campus, Tuesday, Feb. 23.
At 10 a.m., Linda Hervieux will speak on the numerous contributions of African Americans who were part of the Allied victory, many of whom were not acknowledged for their heroism and sacrifice. Hervieux, a journalist and photographer, is on tour promoting her book “Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day’s Black Heroes, At Home and At War.” The book highlights the members of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, which played an essential role on D-Day, yet few know of their contribution to the Allied victory. After the presentation, she will remain for a book signing at 10:45 a.m. This session is being presented in partnership with the Bath County Public Library in Warm Springs, part of the Rockbridge Regional Library System.
The second session, beginning at 11:15 a.m., will be presented by Joe Proctor, a former resident of Covington now residing in Lexington. He will also address the contributions of African Americans in World War II, including the 761st tank battalion, female aviators, cryptologists and “Black Rosies,” females who worked with males to build the ships and planes needed for the conflict. This second session will be shown via compressed video at the DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center.
Light refreshments will be served. All are invited to attend both presentations and there is no charge. For more information, call Student Activities at 540-863-2828.
