Dr. Mary Pat Kelly will visit the Museum during a special session of Veterans Coffee for a presentation about the USS Mason, sponsored by UNI Family and Military Engagement.
The men of the USS Mason DE529 were the only African American sailors to take a US Navy warship into combat during World War II. Their motto was Proudly We Served. And they did. But it took 50 years for the honors they had been recommended for in 1944 to be awarded.
Author and filmmaker, Mary Pat Kelly, worked with the veterans to make their story known through a book, PBS Documentary and feature film. Proud star Ossie Davis highlighted the crew’s port visit to Northern Ireland where the men said they were treated as Americans for the first time. A clip from the movie will be shown which includes a cameo by Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume.
Veterans Coffee is always free to all veterans. Enjoy the presentation along with a hot cup of coffee, a sweet treat and good conversation.