May 30, 1919Decoration Day changed after the war in Europe. It was no longer limited to an observance of the few remaining Union soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Civil War. Veterans of the Spanish-American War of 1898 joined the large numbers of returning soldiers from the Great War in Europe to become part of the annual celebration. Greenwood’s Black veterans planned to be included as well, but both the organizers and the other honored groups opposed their participation.
O. B. Mann checked the mirror on the way out of his home and paused for a moment after saluting himself. He thought back to his hesitation to join the army and recalled the words of W. E. B. Dubois, who encouraged Blacks to put aside their differences and fight for their country. He pulled a pamphlet from h
