(May 25, 2017) Army Sgt. Majs. Glen Franklin and Tracy Miller, siblings born in Berlin, were honored during the National Association for Black Veterans Chapter #0093’s third annual Armed Forces Day program on Saturday at Buckingham Elementary in Berlin.
During his opening remarks, NABVETS Walk Through The Valley Chapter Commander James Briddell Sr. said he is well acquainted with multiple generations of Franklin and Miller’s family and has fond memories of watching the pair blossom into military leaders.
He referred to them as the “dynamic duo from Berlin.”
As the two grew up, Briddell said one constant was Miller nipping at her older brother’s heels.
“She followed her brother in youth during various activities and then followed him through the Army ranks,” he said. “Until Glen said, ‘If I don’t let you walk with me you’re going to be right on my heels anyway.’”
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Glen Franklin enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1983 and over a 32-year career earned numerous accolades including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Afghanistan Campaign Star, and an Iraqi Campaign Star.
Following in her older brother’s footsteps, Sgt. Maj. Tracy Miller enlisted in the Army in January 1988. Over her now 28-year career Miller has received numerous honors for her military service including the Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, a Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Commendation Medal.
The guest speaker was retired Brig. Gen. Robert Cocroft, a highly decorated military officer, who previously served as the first National Commander of NABVETS. Cocroft is currently President and CEO of the Center for Veterans Issues, a nonprofit that works with low-income, minority and women veterans facing challenges while transitioning to civilian life.
After NABVETS began its outreach mission in 1969, Cocroft said there has been a wealth of improvements to strengthen advocacy and representation for black veterans. Cocroft said it’s important to remember, regardless of race, only a miniscule percentage of Americans offer to sacrifice their lives to keep their country secure.
“Vets have all done what the American people have asked,” he said. “Today only 1 percent are paying the dues.”
Presenting Miller’s award was retired Sgt. Maj. Donna Dear, who said it was grand to have such an accomplished brother-and-sister duo in the evening’s spotlight.
“It’s an honor to bask in this because you don’t see this everyday,” she said.
Briddell noted that while there are presently more than 3,300 sergeant majors, which is the highest enlisted rank in the Army, only 100 of those are African-Americans.
Emotion overtook Miller after Dear presented her award plaque. Speaking slowly with tears cascading down her cheek, Miller attributed her success to a strong family support system.
“They helped me become the person I am today,” she said. “Some gave all, all gave some.”
Presenting Franklin’s award was retired Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Wigfall, who noted the importance of remembering the minority military members who laid the groundwork for future advances.
“When I think about all the things we went through as blacks to get where we are today … somebody paved the way for all of us,” he said. “To be a command sergeant major in the Army today versus the way it was years ago, it’s different because of the ones that went before us.”
Echoing his sister’s emotion, Franklin fought back tears during his acceptance speech. He said in recent years health issues have become his biggest challenge.
“I’ve had about 15 surgeries since 2000,” he said.
Despite testing his will, Franklin said even in his darkest days he never lost faith, which was due, in no small part, to a loving spouse.
“My wife has been with me every step of the way,” he said. “I can honestly say if it weren’t for her I don’t know what kind of condition I’d be in.”
Deflecting the attention, Franklin also noted the event celebrates the United States 67th observance of Armed Forces Day, a tradition that began under President Harry Truman to honor those who serve in branches of the military.
“Since 1776, we as a nation have lost thousand of lives and suffered thousands of injuries to guarantee our freedom as a nation,” he said. We can’t afford to take our freedom for granted.
We can not and will not survive without protection.”
Picking up on Miller’s earlier sentiments regarding the importance of family support, Franklin wished for nothing more than parental approval.
“I only hope I made you proud, as I am proud to be called your son,” he said.
During his opening remarks, NABVETS Walk Through The Valley Chapter Commander James Briddell Sr. said he is well acquainted with multiple generations of Franklin and Miller’s family and has fond memories of watching the pair blossom into military leaders.
He referred to them as the “dynamic duo from Berlin.”
As the two grew up, Briddell said one constant was Miller nipping at her older brother’s heels.
“She followed her brother in youth during various activities and then followed him through the Army ranks,” he said. “Until Glen said, ‘If I don’t let you walk with me you’re going to be right on my heels anyway.’”
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Glen Franklin enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1983 and over a 32-year career earned numerous accolades including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Afghanistan Campaign Star, and an Iraqi Campaign Star.
Following in her older brother’s footsteps, Sgt. Maj. Tracy Miller enlisted in the Army in January 1988. Over her now 28-year career Miller has received numerous honors for her military service including the Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, a Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Commendation Medal.
The guest speaker was retired Brig. Gen. Robert Cocroft, a highly decorated military officer, who previously served as the first National Commander of NABVETS. Cocroft is currently President and CEO of the Center for Veterans Issues, a nonprofit that works with low-income, minority and women veterans facing challenges while transitioning to civilian life.
After NABVETS began its outreach mission in 1969, Cocroft said there has been a wealth of improvements to strengthen advocacy and representation for black veterans. Cocroft said it’s important to remember, regardless of race, only a miniscule percentage of Americans offer to sacrifice their lives to keep their country secure.
“Vets have all done what the American people have asked,” he said. “Today only 1 percent are paying the dues.”
Presenting Miller’s award was retired Sgt. Maj. Donna Dear, who said it was grand to have such an accomplished brother-and-sister duo in the evening’s spotlight.
“It’s an honor to bask in this because you don’t see this everyday,” she said.
Briddell noted that while there are presently more than 3,300 sergeant majors, which is the highest enlisted rank in the Army, only 100 of those are African-Americans.
Emotion overtook Miller after Dear presented her award plaque. Speaking slowly with tears cascading down her cheek, Miller attributed her success to a strong family support system.
“They helped me become the person I am today,” she said. “Some gave all, all gave some.”
Presenting Franklin’s award was retired Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Wigfall, who noted the importance of remembering the minority military members who laid the groundwork for future advances.
“When I think about all the things we went through as blacks to get where we are today … somebody paved the way for all of us,” he said. “To be a command sergeant major in the Army today versus the way it was years ago, it’s different because of the ones that went before us.”
Echoing his sister’s emotion, Franklin fought back tears during his acceptance speech. He said in recent years health issues have become his biggest challenge.
“I’ve had about 15 surgeries since 2000,” he said.
Despite testing his will, Franklin said even in his darkest days he never lost faith, which was due, in no small part, to a loving spouse.
“My wife has been with me every step of the way,” he said. “I can honestly say if it weren’t for her I don’t know what kind of condition I’d be in.”
Deflecting the attention, Franklin also noted the event celebrates the United States 67th observance of Armed Forces Day, a tradition that began under President Harry Truman to honor those who serve in branches of the military.
“Since 1776, we as a nation have lost thousand of lives and suffered thousands of injuries to guarantee our freedom as a nation,” he said. We can’t afford to take our freedom for granted.
We can not and will not survive without protection.”
Picking up on Miller’s earlier sentiments regarding the importance of family support, Franklin wished for nothing more than parental approval.
“I only hope I made you proud, as I am proud to be called your son,” he said.