Later, in 1916,the military finally allowed Black men to join a segregated unit called the No. 2 Construction Battalion. They weren’t allowed to carry rifles like white soldiers, but they were sent to Europe to build roads, dig trenches, and carry thesupplies that kept the war machine moving.

“We built the ground the armies marched on” Elijah used to say “and we never dropped a single load.” My great-grandfather Elijah told my grandpa that after all the hard work at camp, he and the other soldiers would find ways to have fun and keep their spirits up. They used to race each other through the mud not for any prize, just to say they won. One of their favorite games was called "Kick the Tin basically tag, but with a rusty can they’d kick around while chasing each other. At night, they’d sit by lantern light and play games using little dice or checker pieces they carved out of wood. Sometimes they’d make up challenges, like who could carry the most firewood or dig the straightest trench. Elijah used to say, “We made a game out of the grind” because even though things were tough, they still found ways to laugh and have fun.

One night, he actually snuck into one of those clubs, and that’s where he saw my mom for the first time. She was singing on stage in a red dress, and according to him, she had the kind of voice that made everyone stop and listen. He was too shy to say anything at first, so he just stood in the back and listened… night after night.

Eventually, she came up to him during a break and said, “You gonna say hi, or just stare at me forever?” And that’s how it started. They started talking, walking home together, and going out after shows. He said the music brought them together — it was like their whole love story started with a song.

My dad always told me, “Jazz didn’t just play in the background — it was the reason I met your mother.”

Their stories push me to keep fighting for change, even when it feels hard. I want to make sure that future generations don’t have to deal with the same problems. Because of what my family went through, I understand how important it is to stand up for what’s right, speak out, and support others. Their bravery helps me believe that no matter what, I can make a difference.

Even with all that, my family stayed close. We helped each other out and shared what we could. I had to grow up faster, learning how to stand up for myself and for those around me. The war made me realize how important it is to keep pushing for change, no matter how tough things get.