May 31, 215

U. S. Colored Troop Reenactors Honor Black Civil War Soldiers

Commemorating 150 years since the ending of the Civil War, reenactors march in a Grand Review Parade May 16, portraying the members of the United States Colored Troops. In 1865, the Black soldiers were not allowed to march in the celebratory parade in Washington, DC. Therefore, the May 16, 2015 reenactment was intended to bring justice to the omission. According to organizer Dr. Frank Smith, founder and director of the African American Civil War Museum and Memorial, more than 209,145 Black soldiers - many former slaves - fought for the Union Army during the Civil War. Thousands came out to witness the event, which marked the final celebration of the ses·qui·cen·ten·ni·al. The reenactment was sponsored by the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, the office of Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the United States Colored Troops Living History Association. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire