Marine Corps veteran, Elliott McKenzie sings the National Anthem during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Heroes Hall supervisor, Carol Singleton says a few words during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Col. Franklin Henderson, U.S. Army (Ret), left and Gunnery Sergeant Troy Walker, Marine Corps. (Ret) with the Greater Los Angeles Area Chapter of the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Association chat at the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Heroes Hall Veterans Foundation board member Bobby McDonald says a few words during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
The All-American Boys Choir sings during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Heroes Hall board member, Bobby McDonald, left, Lt. Col. (Ret) Patricia Jackson-Kelley, President of the National Association of Black Military Women and Col. (Ret) Franklin Henderson listen to speakers during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Medal of Honor winner, SFC Edward Carter’s family, including his daughter in-law Allene Carter, left, and granddaughter, Santalia Carter attend the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Over 100 people attend the opening of the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Marine Staff Sergeant (Ret) Dave Culmer talks about discrimination during his days in the military at the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Lt. Col. (Ret) Patricia Jackson-Kelley, President of the National Association of Black Military Women speaks at the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Col. (Ret) Franklin Henderson says a few words during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Boy Scouts from Troop 1803 post the flags during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Marine Sgt. Major (Ret) Charles Cook Jr., left center, and First Sgt. (Ret) Jack McDowell, who both served in three different wars, listen to speakers duiring the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Over 100 people attend the opening of the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
WWII veterans, Augustas Hogan, center, and First Sgt. (Ret) Jack McDowell share a laugh during the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Khaleel Kilby, 8, has his photo taken with heroes, Marine Sgt. Major (Ret) Charles Cook Jr., left, and First Sgt. (Ret) Jack McDowell, who both served in three different wars, during ceremonies for the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
People view the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Medal of Honor winner, SFC Edward Carter’s family, including his granddaughter, Santalia Carter, center, and daughter in-law Allene Carter, view the display as they attend the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
SFC Carter won the Distinguished Service Cross in WWII, but was not allowed to re-enlist in 1949 as he was suspected of being a communist sympathizer. His son accepted his fathers Medal of Honor finally in 1997.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
People view the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
People view the new exhibit at the Heroes Hall Museum at the OC Fairgrounds Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 titled, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” featuring photographs, artifacts and stories of the challenges and achievements of African Americans during World War II in the United States and overseas.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
The Heroes Hall Museum has opened a new exhibit, “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” on loan from the National WWII Museum.
This look at the achievements and challenges of Black people at home and abroad will be available to the public through Sept. 18. It features artifacts, photos and oral histories curated by a national committee that was commissioned by the WWII Museum to help advise on the exhibit.
An opening reception was held Saturday.
Visitors can watch an eight-minute video about the 332nd Fighter Group, or as they are most often referred to, the Tuskegee Airmen, hearing from the men themselves their experiences.
A speaker series is also planned.
Hereos Hall is typically open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.
Information: ocfair.com/heroes-hall
Related Articles
Has OC’s homeless population grown or shrunk? This week’s count will tell
Kids and their pets get in on fun ahead of Swallows Day events
I know nothing! And you can blame the kids for that
‘Small wins’ have big power to keep us focused on the positive
Street, plaza in Dana Point Harbor to be renamed after Don Hansen, who inspired its whale watching industry
- by
- on February 20, 2022