Massing of the Colors: Fort Des Moines Museum prepares for Veterans Day.
The Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center celebrated the seventh annual Massing of the Colors with a free breakfast, music and remarks from former Navy Capt. Edward Gantt Saturday, Nov. 4.
Lt. Col. Matthew Harvey, the president of the education center, said the Massing of the Colors ceremony is intended to unite the community and prepare them for Veterans Day.
"It allows people to come together [from] different walks of life, different occupations, [...] veterans, non veterans, but we [...] want to celebrate our past veterans those who've gone before us, we want to celebrate those who are serving now and then we also want to celebrate those who will serve," Harvey said.
Local choir follows through on request for 'Black National Anthem'
The Urbandale Community Band and both the Kansas City Boys and Kansas City Girls choir contributed live music for the event, which included "I'll Be There" and "Lovely Day, ultimately ending on "Lift Every Voice."
Mia Ramsey, executive director for the Kansas City Boys and Girls choir, said the groups received "a lot of flack" for singing the song known to many as the Black National Anthem.
"'Lift Every Voice' is what we sung at the Chiefs home opener," Ramsey said. "They were like, 'I didn't know there was a black one. Is there a Hispanic one? Is there an Asian one?' And it's like, listen, if you understood the history of why the song was sung, why it was written, it's so that we would have the opportunity to have some type of measurement of inclusion."
Ramsey said the choirs were asked specifically to sing "Lift Every Voice" and as well as "Sing" by Ramsey herself. She added that each song Saturday was chosen to properly represent and uplift the community.
"I think that our songs have to reach the audiences that we're serving the communities that we serve," Ramsey said. "We live in this country, we helped build this country, but often, we have been disregarded in this country ...[Lift Every Voice and Sing is] about the liberty and the freedom that every human should have."
The event also drew participation from community youth, ranging from JROTC students to Boy Scouts.
"We hope that more people in the community will grow to value such a celebration as the Massing of the Colors," Harvey said. "It would be beautiful for those who have served, those who are serving and the young people to see that kind of a gathering celebrating the flag."
The yearly Massing of the Colors is held on the first Saturday of November. Information regarding the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center can be found on their website.
Biong M. Biong is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at bbiong@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Massing of the Colors initiates annual Veterans Day celebrations
