MEETING

UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS BRIGADE
From Ratification to Reality
140th Anniversary Celebration of the 13th Amendment

November 4 - 5, 2005

Holiday Inn South
Dayton, Ohio
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Keynote Speaker: Bennie J. McRae, Jr.
History of the United States Colored Troops in the Civil War: Freedom Fighters

Bennie J. McRae, Jr. is a renowned researcher of African American history and culture. His extensive website, Lest We Forget http://www.lwfaam.net has become an important resources for individuals interested in the military contributions of African Americans. His presentation will be an eyeopener for both novice and skilled researchers and highlights why the passage of the 13th Amendment is an important date to observe.

Just a note about the progress of the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to establish a unified umbrella organization of the various commemorative Untied States Colored Troops organizations (aka living historians, reenactors). Another purpose it to establish a working relationship between those who interpret the USCT history and the professioanl researchers, scholars, and academic institutions. The vision for this organization also includes developing a cohesive presence at national Civil War events, become a depository for information of the various commemorative units, and establish and maintain a functioning communications and networking system. We are pretty much on schedule in outlining the various issues that need to be discussed. We have identified the following goals and will tackle them at the meeting:

· Establishing brigade membership guidelines and by-laws;
· Formation of command structures, committees and divisions (Infantry; Artillery; Cavalry; Navy; Civilian;
· Research and Scholarship; and Memorial and Preservation);
· Developing an efficient and cost supporting networking and communication system;
· Authenticity guidelines for military and civilians;
· Identifying reputable and reliable resources for reproduced material culture;
· Scholarships for youth and young adults;
· Recruitment techniques;
· Identifying and targeting preservation and memorials for USCT connective sites;
· Identifying, developing, and implementing annual events focusing on USCT history; and
· Identifying annual events in conjunction with USV and CSA organizations.

This all seems a lot to cover in one day, but eveyone will be working together over the next year to make all this a reality. We anticipate having another meeting in October of 2006.

Looking forward to seeing you this coming weekend.

Sincerely,

Yulanda Burgess, USCT Brigade Meeting Steering Committee