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Our Military Contribution

On this Veterans Day I reflect on the contributions my ancestors have made to this Nation. The earliest recording of an ancestor's military contribution dates back to the Civil War.







Albert Abram Nelson, my Great-Grandfather, born in 1895, fought in World War I. Oral history has estimated his age of enlistment to be as young as 17 years old. For young Albert this journey, from Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana to Europe, likely had a huge impact on the course his life would take. Upon returning from the war he was educated at Leland College and served the Parish as a Minister. He was very instrumental in the establishment of New Roads High School, the first school for African Americans in the Parish. This contribution has impacted Pointe Coupee Parish for many generations. Of the sons of Albert and Mariah Nelson only one, Joel Nelson followed in his father's military footstep and is now a Minister in Virginia.











Melbourne G. Dillon, my paternal grandfather and his brothers Henry Austine Dillon Jr. and Don B. Dillon all served in the United States Army. Uncle H.A had a military career that spanned more than 20 years. Following in this tradition were my father, Kenneth Dillon and his brothers, Carl and Wendell.








Wallace Dillon, my great-great uncle, a veterans of World War I, produced sons that spanned various branches of the US Military. The sons Edward, Caldwell, Wallace, and Oliver Maxwell were all veterans of World War II. Captain Oliver Maxwell Dillon was a member of the elite squadron known as the Tuskegee Airmen, he was a bomber pilot and leaves a great legacy and example of service for generations to follow.








All military service is a sacrifice, but only veterans know how much of a sacrifice it really is. To the men and women that make this nation safe we say, Thank You on this Veterans Day.







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  1. UnknownAugust 3, 2020 at 8:44 AM

    Greeting Yomika,

    This is Don B Dillon Jr, son of Don Sr, brother to Uncle Melbourne. Could you send me more information about uncle Melbourne. I heard from my dad and uncle HA. that uncle Melbourne was a graduate of Grambling Unv, served in the U.S. Army and was a business man in Kentwood La, owning several rental properties, and two mom & pop stores. Could you send me any pictures your have of his college years, ect. Send any pictures you have of he and his brothers and aunt Joyce. Still trying to figure out how he ended up at Grambling Unv and did not attend Southern University in Baton Rouge, his father went to Southern U.

    Thanks Don Jr.

    ReplyDelete

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