Amid a discussion about the history of the United States, Harlem Hilverez receives the gold medal of Congress: NPR

The Harlem Helfters team was honored at the National Guard in the National Guard in New York after his death this week with a gold medal in Congress. They received the highest civilian honor presented by Congress, after decades of their service during the First World War, which were largely ignored by military military – and in broader efforts to reconsider how American history is remembered.

Representative Tom Suzy, dn.y, said in Wednesday party Celebrate the forces and their families.

“Today we honor the legacy of your fathers, grandparents, and great ancestors who served our nation under the harsh conditions and despite extreme discrimination. We are all better to serve them.”

For the first time, the legislator submitted a draft law to honor the 369-black infantry soldiers in 2021, but the award was not officially disclosed until this week.

During the ceremony, Parliament Speaker Mike Johnson chanted R. La. Suzy feelings:

“We know that generations of American soldiers of African descent have answered this call to fight for freedom, whether in the battlefields at home or abroad. Their nation asked to fight, and they did again and again, even while depriving them of the full measure of these freedoms here on the American soil.”

Dibra Willet, Harlem Hill Veter Sergeant. Before Lender Willett, before the award on behalf of the soldiers.

She said: “I know that my grandfather and the other brave men who fought with him have never thought that their courage and exploits will be celebrated in such a distinguished place.”

“They sacrificed, and they believed that they made a difference. Today it proves that they did so.”

The medal will be given to the Smithsonian Foundation, “where it will be shown as necessary and available for research,” he said, according to what he said invoice Surrounded by Suzy.

The regiment, which has become known as Harlem Hellfiters, served in World War I trenches for 191 days, as their legends are increasing for their combat capabilities.

But their journey to the battle lines was searched by racism in the armed forces that are still separated.

“369 horrific experiences witnessed during their training in the United States, including riots close to the race in Spartenburg, South Carolina, where it was initially concentrated, and another near the riots of race when they were sent in a hurry to New Jersey for training,” said Chad Williams, another professor of history and African America at the University of Boston.

“The reason they were shipping to France when they were because the United States army wanted to get them out of American territory as soon as possible to avoid any possible ethnic disasters,” Williams told NPR.

The white soldiers were hesitant to serve in conjunction with the black battalion largely, so hell Harlem fought alongside the allied French, fighting enemy soldiers and becoming the first unit to reach the Rhine.

At that time, the soldiers described themselves the black priest. But their fierceness in the battlefield eventually earned them the name of hell.

“They are demons,” a pronary officer who has been captured Remember to his hijackers. “They smile while killing and will not be taken alive.”

Despite their well -being in the battlefield, their stories were largely countless for decades – and the recognition comes at a time when the Trump administration retreated how American history is remembered.

The Smithsonian Foundation, which will perform the Congress medal, was at the center of this effort.

Last month, he sent the White House letter For Lonnie Bunch III, Minister of Smithsonian, saying that the Trump administration’s review of some museums is “ensuring compatibility with the president’s directing to celebrate the American exception, remove exciting accounts of disagreement or partisanship, and restore confidence in our joint cultural institutions.”

Williams said that the recognition of hell represents the complex nature of how to tell history often.

“On the one hand, it has been late, but it is definitely ridiculous, taking into account the times we are in,” Williams said. “He talks about very complex roads and often from the hypocrisy in which this country chose to address its racist history.”

Williams said this step spoke to the “satirical” of the Trump administration.

“It was a very inspiring, patriotic and very impossible recognition of historical importance and sacrifices at 369,” Williams said. “On the other hand, it was a very satirical offer for selective ethnic memory.”