Skip to main content

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.







Labels:

Comments

  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

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

  The Mina Slaves of Pointe Coupee: A revolt subdued; a culture defined Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana has always been known as the cradle of creole culture, with a rich heritage Rev. Albert Nelson rooted in diversity from its earliest settlers, French, with Spanish, Caribbean, and Indian influences . However, many of us have long forgotten the fabric of our origin rooted in a rich West African past . During the 18 th century, the Mina tribe who originated in present day Benin found themselves scattered amongst various plantations in Pointe Coupee Parish . The original settlers had established plantations that harvested corn, indigo, tobacco, cotton and sugarcane on land surrounded by the Mississippi River on one side and False River on the other . This fertile land was cultivated by victims of the transatlantic slave trade that originated on the coast of West Africa and began arriving in Louisiana under the French but continued under Spanish and US rule .  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dr. Kara V. Jackson : She believed she could, so she did

Dr. Kara Vaughn Jackson   ( The Gramblinite,1965 ) Kara Enid Vaughn was born June 7, 1908, in  Chatawa, Mississippi to Benjamin and Angeline Dillon Vaughn. Benjamin was the younger brother of my 2nd great grandmother, Angeline Vaughn Dillon.  The Vaughn's were a close knit  family of farm laborers that had a strong desire to see all of their children educated, and through hard work and many sacrifices, were able to see that dream realized. Kara was home-schooled by her Aunt  until the age of 10 and was sent to live with relatives in Gary, Indiana while she attended the historic Froebel High School.   Froebel has a history of it's own as one of the first schools in the nation to integrate.  She  went on to complete her undergraduate studies at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana .   ( The Gramblinite,1965 ) Kara began her career as a teacher at a rural training school while working her way through Southern University....
Post a Comment
Read more

Verdie Powell Dillon

Verdie Powell Dillon 1885-1980 Verdie Powell Dillon, a woman of purpose and great strength, was affectionately known to our family as "Aunt T". She was by far a great influence on my life and the lives of many people in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. As many of you know O.W. Dillon was a pioneer in th e field education in the State of Louisiana. He led the Tangipahoa Parish Training school for many years. The school later became O.W Dillon High School and O.W. Dillon Elementary. Well, Verdie Powell Dillon was his better half. Born to Hilery and Laura Powell, October, 15, 1885 in Mound Bayou, Miss. she was proud of her upbringing and the independence and ingenuity of blacks in Mound Bayou during her childhood. She married Mr. Oliver Wendell Dillon. Together they built a legacy of public service in education in Louisiana and surrounding areas. Aunt T was a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Magnolia, Mississippi where she was active in the choir,...
Post a Comment
Read more