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Episode #716 of Hometown Heroes, airing January 15-17, 2022, marks Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with examples before and after Dr. King’s work that dovetail with his vision for equality and opportunity.

While Dr. King never served in the military, he was influenced by many who did, and he recognized the power in the example of roughly one million African-Americans who served in the then-segregated U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. One of his closest allies, Ralph Abernathy, had seen combat against Nazi forces in Italy during the war. Historians have noted that the service and sacrifice of African-Americans during World War II accelerated the integration of professional sports, and eventually the military itself, while also adding momentum to the fight for equal rights. There were many situations during the war years in which soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines stood up against discriminatory policies. One of the largest and most well-known was the “Freeman Field Mutiny,” which we hear about on this episode through the memories of Mitch Higginbotham, who served with the 477th Bomb Group. Not only were black officers ordered not to go into the Officers’ Club at Freeman Field, they were read the Articles of War, reminding them that the penalty for failing to obey a direct could be severe, up to and including death.

“Of course death was emphasized,” you’ll hear in Higginbotham’s words. “Even in the face of all that, 104 of us refused to sign.”

The courageous stand taken by Higginbotham and more than 100 fellow Tuskegee Airmen proved to be a significant step toward the “Double V” sought by African-Americans during the war: Victory over enemies abroad, and victory against discrimination at home. Click here to access the complete original interview with Mitch Higginbotham, who passed away in 2016.

Yolanda Frazier was born into a military family during the height of the Civil Rights movement. She was just a toddler when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, but the accomplishments she piled up during a 30-year Army career reflect elements of the vision Dr. King articulated. While her father and two brothers served in the Air Force, another brother in the Army, Frazier had no intention of pursuing a military path until trying out ROTC as an elective while studying journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi. “It was the greatest decision I ever made for my career,” you’ll hear Frazier say. From 1987 until her retirement three decades later with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Yolanda bore witness to significant changes in policy and opportunity.

“At that time women did not go into combat,” Frazier explains. “Things have evolved tremendously since then.”

You’ll hear her reflect on some of the leadership lessons gleaned, challenges faced, and assignments no amount of training could really prepare her for, whether fulfilling assignments within the United States or deployed overseas.

“I’m dealing with the aspect of being two minorities,” Frazier relates of a career that saw her assume commands no woman ever had before. “Not only a female, but also an African-American female in the service, so at times there would be challenges.”

Listen to Hometown Heroes to hear what some of those challenges were, and some of the ways they were resolved, some more expected than others. From the heartbreak of losing American soldiers in an attack by Afghans they had trained, to having to inform Gold Star families of the loss of their loved ones, Frazier shares candidly about the burden that came with those scenarios, and how her experience has opened her eyes to what many other veterans are facing.

“Whether it was the Vietnam Era that my father served in, or even coming back from Afghanistan,” you’ll hear her say. “You see a lot of fellow soldiers in need.”

You’ll hear her suggestions on how we, as civilians, can support our men and women in uniform, as well as veterans, like the diverse group of friends she has met at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10147 in Apopka, FL. Much of Frazier’s focus since retiring from the Army has been directed toward the non-profit she launched, Enough International. Geared toward women and pursuing a core mission to educate, empower, and encourage, Enough International is the vehicle through which Frazier aims to foster hope and healing.

“We need to bring more awareness about the things we see in our society,” you’ll hear Frazier say. “Not put a band-aid on a grenade wound, but deal with them.”

—Paul Loeffler