Lost Colored Soldiers Honor Roll

Mr. James Bond

The Lost Colored Soldiers Honor Roll

The City Council of Worcester voted on March 29, 2016 to restore or replace the Honor Roll of Colored Soldiers from Worcester who served in World War II. The vote was 11-0.

In 1943 when the Honor Roll was erected the United States Armed forces were segregated. The so called Colored soldiers (dark skin soldiers) were organized into separate units from the White soldiers.  Latino soldiers were assigned units based on how light or dark their skins were.

Asian soldiers also were in separate units.

The Honor Roll was located in the Laurel Clayton section of Worcester which had a large Black population. The neighborhood was displaced first by the building of Interstate 290 and later by the building of Plumley Village. 

The people who lived in the Laurel Clayton neighborhood still keep in touch with each others. They used to have reunions, but these have been less often as the residents have aged.

Interstate 290 destroyed many neighborhoods in Worcester including the large Jewish neighborhood around Water St.

The restoration of the Honor Roll of Colored soldiers is important to the Black community as the soldiers not only fought for their country against Fascism, but for their race in the constant struggle to prove equality and to gain acceptance from the majority race.

Still today the Honor Roll is a symbol of this struggle for justice and equality.

Idella Hazard a Worcester resident whose family goes back to at least the Civil War said at the City Council meeting that the City has accommodated the Italian community in the Shrewsbury St. area by preserving and moving several times the statue of Christopher Columbus.

Ms. Hazard implied that not to restore the Honor Roll would be disparate treatment of Black people.

The VFW of mostly Black veterans led the process to get the Honor Roll restored. Mr. James Bond the VFW leader spoke for the group at the City Council meeting. Mr. Bond said it was an important issue for him and the Post.  Members who have long time roots in the City like Jack Toney and other were a force.

Mr. Bill Coleman

Mr. Bill Coleman played a major part as well in the publicity he gained for the restoration. The story appeared in over thirty news papers and on NPR.

The restoration will cost about 20 thousand dollars. It was suggested that it be placed at City Hall. I would like it to go next the bronze GI statute on the Franklin St. side City Hall.  Placement there would give both additional meaning.

To the Black community this is important. I know it is important to Councillor King. It might be important to one or two other Councillors.  However I think that the Honor Roll vote is just political capital for others.

Maybe the 11-0 vote is a sign of less racism from City government, maybe not.

I am happy that it is being restored and I hope that it does not face the same mechanisms as plagued the Major Taylor relief.