Henry O. Flipper Dinner

Remarks Given By Mr. Carl Flipper
Great Grandson of Henry Flipper’s Brother ("the Bishop")

It is indeed an honor for me to stand before you representing the family of Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper.

Before I go farther, I must express gratitude to members of the West Point alumni – they were among a group of dedicated supporters of Lt. Flipper who helped win final vindication of Lt. Flipper, completely clearing his record. Flipper made nine efforts to appeal his court-martial, the last literally months before his death in 1940. Subsequent requests for review by family members went largely unnoticed. It was not until graduates of the USMA joined that effort was justice finally done. The arc of the universe is long, Dr. King, and it does bend toward justice.

I have always known about Uncle Henry... about his being a reclusive sort, a prolific reader and writer, who always kept up on the day’s current events and was never at a loss to offer his views. From family accounts, letters, books and papers... a picture of Henry emerges... loyal and dedicated, highly intellectual, deeply spiritual, very conservative, an officer and a gentleman; showing no outwardly resentment toward those who terminated him from his beloved army. He was the military man... the eldest of five sons born to Festus and Isabella Flipper.

As I grow to know him better, he becomes an even greater influence in my life. He died eight years before I was born, but the stories my father told... distant memories ...may be clearer now... "as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain."

An accurate family perspective on Lt. Flipper and West Point might not be as complimentary as we would like this occasion to reflect. I suppose there are differing and conflicting views. I do know there is intense pride in Henry's victories and we are honored by the recognition of his contributions.

But there is also the silent sadness... a quiet agony. We mourn for a soldier who dedicated himself to a country and to its army he so deeply loved. We grieve for opportunity lost by a nation that should have been more inclusive. Lt. Flipper is yet another symbol of a conflicted America... a land of freedom and equality that permitted the institution of slavery. It is a conflict that continues today. I often wonder: what mix of emotions really coexisted within Lt. Flipper’s heart? Bob Sneed’s "held in trust" gives us insight to the inner strength, determination, rage, pain, frustration and love. A surreal sense of reality is rekindled when reminded that my great, great grandfather purchased the freedom of his family? I am reminded that vigilance is the price of my continued freedom.

Lt. Flipper persevered in the face of this to become a beacon-light of pride and hope in our family. We were inculcated with a family value second to none. We learned that injustice is a frequent visitor —especially to those who strive for excellence. But, with that, we learned that opportunity presents itself not to those who sleep but to those who prepare and, in the end, persistence and determination are paramount.

Remarks Given By Mr. Reginald J. Brown
Assistant Secretary of The Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)

Thank you for your kind introduction, Cadet Dial. Lieutenant General and Mrs. Lennox, Brigadier General and Mrs. Olson, Brigadier General and Mrs. Kaufman, Mr. Carl Flipper (the Flipper family historian), Cadets, fellow alumni, and guests. It is a pleasure to return this evening to the hallowed grounds of West Point; the oldest continuously occupied military post in America; and to pay tribute to LT Henry Ossian Flipper.

The chosen theme for the evening as you know is "West Point's Bicentennial: Henry O. Flipper - the past, Diversity - the future." From the beginning of this great institution on 16 March 1802; to 1877 when LT Flipper, along with 75 classmates took the oath; to 1980 when the first class of women cadets graduated; to today, the U.S. Army and our nation's entire military have changed in part due to the legacy of the man we honor tonight.

LT Henry Flipper was an extraordinary American. He did all his country asked of him to do. Though born a slave in Georgia, he was proud to serve America: the first African-American graduate of West Point; the first African-American commissioned officer in the regular United States Army; one of the first African-American professional engineers in the Army; and the first person to ever receive a posthumous pardon from the President of the United States.

He distinguished himself in combat on the frontier in both Texas and Oklahoma and it was while overseeing a commissary at Fort Davis, Texas in 1881 that he was accused by his commanding officer of improperly accounting for the funds entrusted to him. A later Army review suggested he had been singled out for his race, but at the time there was not much justice available for a young African-American soldier.

In December 1881, a court-martial acquitted him of embezzlement, but convicted him of conduct unbecoming of an officer. President Chester A. Arthur declined to overturn the sentence, and in June of 1882, LT Flipper was dishonorably discharged. Upon his discharge, he became a civil and mining engineer out west and also served in many capacities for the United States government.

He died in 1940 at the age of 84, maintaining his innocence and never giving up his lifelong battle for reinstatement into the Army he loved. Through the efforts of his niece, Mrs. Ersle Flipper King, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records granted LT Flipper a posthumous honorable discharge in 1976. Not until 1999, when then-President Clinton signed the official pardon, was the grievous injustice corrected.

Outside of this hall, most Americans do not know Henry Flipper. His remarkable life story is important to us as we continue to work on deepening the meaning of freedom at home, and working to expand democracy and freedom around the world.

(Extemporaneous personal vignette on visit to Lt. Flipper commemoration in Philadelphia in 1958, prompting the question of "What motivates us to serve?")

The Army has been in the vanguard of integration and equality since the abolishment of racial segregation in the armed services in 1948. LT Flipper was a true pioneer. He and other minority graduates of West Point have led the way to achieving the rich diversity here and elsewhere throughout the Army.

In fact, more leadership positions are occupied by minorities in the military today than in any other segment of American society. Today's Army is a place of opportunity for all Americans and we remain committed to ensuring that Army demographics reflect those of the nation it serves. As we look to the future of our Army, we will surely find our force is a showcase for diversity. In a recent trip to Bosnia, the commanding general at Tuzla remarked to me how he could hold out the example of his Army in explaining the virtues of diversity.

We are a "family..." from every corner of America, of every race, religion and creed. Cadets... . you can be enormously proud of your accomplishments and being a part of the long gray line, one of the proudest traditions in the Army... . I know that I am!! You are the future leaders of the most powerful army in the world; an organization based on values that have existed for over 226 years.

As you continue down the path of your education and training here at West Point, this institution's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country" will continue to grow in you. Coupled with the cadet honor code... ."A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal... ", you have the beginning of a foundation of moral and ethical excellence that is the cornerstone of the officer corps. You will have the privilege of leading the "Army of One." The "Army of One" values each soldier for his or her uniqueness; while at the same time describes one force with one mission and one set of values. Of course we are all familiar with the army's 7 core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. To quote General Dennis Reimer, former Chief of Staff of the Army, "values are at the core of everything our Army is and does. Your commitment to living and teaching the Army's core values is critical to our success."

I would also suggest to you that good leadership is not a spectator sport, regardless of rank, gender or ethnicity. You have to be a participant with your soldiers. Let them know how much you love the Army and how much you are committed to our values, our mission and to them. Do that and they will follow your lead without fail, whether or not you know if you're headed in the right direction?

Let's take a moment to reflect on significant events that our Army has influenced and endured: the collapse of the Berlin wall and reunification of Germany; our victories in the Cold War and the Persian Gulf; perseverance in Vietnam, and the down-sizing of our Army to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Today, we are in the middle of a transformation cycle that is looking to transform our Army in both bold and fundamental ways that will posture our Army for future conflicts.

With that in mind, who would have expected that the one of the first tests of our transforming army would be the war on terrorism? When I think about the events of September 11th, and the terrible losses this nation endured, I recognize just how fortunate I am to be a citizen in the greatest and most privileged nation in the world. While that fateful day is a sad day in our history, it is also a testament of the resilience and strength of America's Army. The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel lost twenty percent of its' staff in the attack on the Pentagon. In spite of these losses, it relocated to the Hoffman building and was fully operational the next day.

From the grief and tragedy of 9/11 we are also reminded that our diversity is what makes our country and our Army great.

Our nation is currently engaged in a struggle with an enemy who fundamentally opposes the very concepts that we cherish and that make us strong. This enemy perceives freedom as a threat - not a virtue; and tolerance and diversity as a weakness - in fact as evil - not as a strength.

This philosophy is in fundamental opposition to the freedoms gained by generations of struggle and sacrifice by men and women throughout this nation. There can be no compromise with this ideology. The war that this nation and our allies are currently fighting is not of our choosing. It is, however a fight that we will win - not by force of arms alone but because freedom is an ideal that will triumph over any adversary.

Today, American soldiers are again in harm's way confronting our enemies, wherever they manifest. We wage war to redeem the birthright of humanity, the right of people to live in peace, pursuing their own happiness. Our victory will not be easy. It takes hard work, sacrifice, and as always teamwork.

Cadets... you have been provided the finest leadership training in the world here at West Point, the envy of every army on earth. In combat, you will be the difference between victory and defeat. General Patton once said: "wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and the man who leads that gains victory." I know if Patton were alive today, he would include the impressive women we have serving in our Army as well.

Very simply put, we- in the Army- expect inspirational leadership from all of our leaders, but I personally expect you, as graduates of West Point, to lead the way.

As we celebrate the bicentennial of this academy, the "look" of West Point has changed over the years, but this institution has never failed to answer the call to duty in times of peace and war. Our Army is persuasive in peace and invincible in war!!

The United States Army is about quality soldiers, veterans, civilians and our families. As we set our sights on the future, we must surely remember the men and women we have lost. As I conclude, I know that West Point lost one of it's finest, Cadet Anthony Miller, just a few short weeks ago. I would like to extend to you, his fellow Cadets and the West Point staff, my heartfelt sympathy. I understand that Cadet Miller's spirit epitomized the ideals and motto of West Point, as did LT Henry O. Flipper.