Page 31 - Florida Sentinel 1-20-17 Edition

Local MLK Parade
Montford Point Marine To Be Honored Posthumously
PFC CHARLES ROBERT FOUNTAIN 1/25/1921 to 3/15/2004
Members of the Montford Point Marines
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
After many years of omis- sion, history has begun to rec- ognize African Americans who served their country during the segregation era. Today, infor- mation pertaining to the Buf- falo Soldiers of the U. S. Army and the Tuskegee Airmen has become a part of history. Yet, other military organizations, such as the Montford Point Marines is not as readily avail- able. This group came into ex- istence during World War II.
But, on Friday, January 27th, at 1 p.m., the Congres- sional Gold Medal will be pre- sented to PFC Charles Robert Fountain, a member of the Montford Point Marines, posthumously. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor given by Congress.
PFC Fountain’s daughter will be on hand to accept the medal. The presentation will take place at the Davis Confer- ence Center in the Auditorium at MacDill Air Force Base.
Anyone wishing to attend the ceremony must contact Stanley Gray at sgrayandas- soc@aol.com, by January 20th,
in order to gain access to the PFC Fountain and mem-
base. Currently, there are less
than 300 members of the Montford Point Marines liv- ing. In 2011, U. S. lawmakers voted to award the Congres- sional Gold Medal to this group of former Marines.
A native of Hyack, New York, Fountain attended schools in his hometown. He graduated from Hyack High School in 1939.
After the United States be- came involved in World War II, Fountain and his friend, David Knight, went to join the Marines at the recruitment center in New York City. The young men were given orders to report to basic training within a week. Knight, who was white, was accepted.
However, Fountain was quizzed about his personal life, education and marital status. His entry was delayed for seven months, but he became one of the U. S. Marine Corps’ first Black Marines.
Montford Point was the only training camp for African Americans in the area. He fin- ished boot camp and served in the 52nd Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion.
bers of the 52nd Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion were trans- ferred to Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California. He served his country until Janu- ary 1946.
After being honorably dis- charged, PFC Fountain re- turned home and became employed by Republic Aircraft. He also worked as a U. S. Mail Carrier.
His next career move came about when he entered law en- forcement and became an Of- ficer with Narcotics Addiction Control Commission (NACC). He later rose to the ranks of Sergeant with the New York State Department of Correc- tions. He retired as a Lieu- tenant at Ossining Correctional Facility in 1986.
PFC Fountain died at the age of 82, in Trotwood, Ohio.
He was the father of 2 sons, Monte Fountain, (deceased) and Jeffrey Fountain, of New York. and 4 daughters, Lana Fountain Dove, of North Carolina, Norma Fountain Morgan, and Erika Fountain Shorter, of Texas, and Kim Fountain, of Florida.
Hundreds Line The Streets For Tampa’s King Day Parade
Hundreds of Tampans lined the streets Monday for the 2.3 mile Martin Luther King, Jr., “Live the Dream” Martin Luther King Day pa- rade. Parade organizers said more than 120 units of bands, floats, walk- ers, and vehicles participated in the parade. (Photos by BRUNSON)
Parade Co-Grand Marshal Gwen Hayes, right, with her husband, James and grandson Kameron Hayes.
HCSO’s Major Willie Parker.
TPD’s Major Rocky Ratliff.
City Councilman Frank Reddick walked in the pa- rade.
Tampa’s Mayor Bob Buckhorn walked the parade route.
State Representative Atty. Sean Shaw, left, with parade- goers – Kitty Browning and Bonita Gray.
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017