Renaming Ceremony at American Legion Post 398 Sat. August 24th, 2024 @ 1 pm

The American Legion Post 398 in Harlem, NY cordially invites everyone to join us for our “Renaming Ceremony” honoring our illustrious namesake, Colonel Charles Young, who has recently posthumously promoted to “Brigadier General.” The event will take place outside our brownstone building, on the block of 132nd Street between Fredrick Douglas Blvd. and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. starting at 1:00 pm.

Performances will be from:

• West Point Gospel Choir
• Warriors Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps
• David Lee Jazz Band
• Local Dignitaries
• Musical Entertainers

A reception will follow the ceremony. We extend a warm welcome to all who wish to attend!

Brief History of Brigadier General Charles Young

Our namesake, Brigadier General Charles Young, graduated from West Point in 1889, despite persecution and bigotry from some of his fellow cadets for being African-American. He persevered to become a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, who were an all African-American fighting unit. Young was sent to fight in the Spanish-American War of 1898, where he negotiated peaceful resolutions between Native Americans and shepherds. Young soldiered on to serve in the Philippines and then in Haiti. Unfortunately, after being commissioned to Africa in 1911, Young was injured during a surprise attack. Once healed, Young was sent to Mexico and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel commanding the Black Tenth Cavalry in opposition to Pancho Villa. However, despite his numerous accomplishments and victories in battle, the Army denied Young the opportunity to serve in World War I on the grounds of being “unfit for duty” due to his previous injury. To prove the Army wrong, Young made the extraordinary and strenuous journey on horseback for 16-days and 500 yards ride from Ohio to Washington, DC in protest. Consequently, Young was placed back on active duty.

In honor of this legendary African-American warrior's recent posthumous promotion to Brigadier General, we will be replacing our old sign to now read: “American Legion Brigadier General Charles Young Post 398.” - Ms. Zoe Brown, 2nd Vice Commander

Host or Publisher American Legion Post 398 Brigadier General Charles Young