 African Americans have made invaluable contributions to the armed forces, sacrificing, bleeding, and serving their country alongside their American brothers. We take this month of February to honor those who have gone before us. At the beginning of World War II, the United States Marine Corps was open to African Americans. The first recruits arrived at Monfort Point, North Carolina. The Marines that graduated made up the 51st and 52nd Composite Defense Battalions and distinguished themselves as the finest artillery gunners in the Marine Corps. On July 26, 1948, Executive Order 9981 was passed, calling for the equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who serve in our country's defense, beginning the long process of fully integrating the armed forces. This month's theme is Black Migration, focusing on the movement of people of African descent to new destinations and new social realities. Though a long and painful road, these migrations produced a more diverse interracial and intra-racial population, benefiting our communities, our Marine Corps, and our country.