Boot Campaign Celebrates ‘Black History Month’

BOOT CAMPAIGN CELEBRATES ‘BLACK HISTORY MONTH’ HONORING AFRICAN-AMERICAN U.S. MILITARY HEROES WITH EXCLUSIVE MULTI-PLATFORM PROGRAMMING EVENT

Actor Donald Faison and Football’s Shawne Merriman join Boot Campaign’s Celebrity Awareness Efforts During February

DALLAS, Texas (January 27, 2016) – In celebration of “Black History Month,” Boot Campaign is honoring African-American military heroes with an exclusive multi-platform event during February 2016. Boot Campaign is a national nonprofit that promotes patriotism, raises awareness of military issues, and provides vital assistance for our nation’s heroes and their families.

“Boot Campaign takes great pride in recognizing service members who dedicate their lives to serving our country,” says Boot Campaign CEO Robyn Payne. “For Black History Month, we have selected extraordinary patriots who have made significant contributions to our country. We hope their stories will entertain, inspire, and inform America about their extraordinary lives and the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom.”   

The programming event will premiere original content featuring African-American service members from eras of yesteryear and today on  http://bootcampaign.org, Boot Campaign’s youtube channel, and social media platforms including on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@BootCampaign).

Exclusive video biography vignettes will profile each hero, salute his or her accomplishments, and provide insight to the dedication and sacrifice. These honoree profiles include:

• 14th Sergeant Major (Ret.) of the U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) Alford McMichael (Alexandria, Va.)
• Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Dr. Marie Walters, U.S. Air Force (Frisco, Texas)
• 8th Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) Vince Patton (Alexandria, Va.)
• Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Donald E. Walters, U.S. Air Force (Frisco, Texas)

Boot Campaign’s Hero Ambassador, Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Cassandra Cantin, U.S. Army (San Antonio, Texas), has developed a catalog of historical and current short stories showcasing notable African-American achievements that include:

• Four-Star General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., U.S. Air Force (Pensacola, Fla.; 1920-1978)
• Four-Star General Roscoe Robinson Jr., U.S. Army (St. Louis, Mo.; 1928-1993)
• Private George Watson, U.S. Army (Birmingham, Ala.; 1915-1943)
• Montford Point Marines, U.S. Marine Corps, (Jacksonville, N.C.; 1942-1949)
• Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, U.S. Army (Lexington, Miss.; 1946-1965)
• Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Donna Brock, U.S. Army Medical Command
• Rear Admiral (Ret.) Lillian E. Fishburne, U.S. Navy

“It’s cool enough to be a Boot Campaign Hero Ambassador, but to share in the opportunity to bring much-needed attention and recognition to a variety of deserving African-American military heroes is a true blessing,” says Cantin, an Army medic and nurse for 25 years before retiring in 2011. “These men and women served our country with tremendous distinction, dedication and sacrifice, and their stories deserved to be shared as an inspiration to all of us.”   

In addition to Boot Campaign’s honored active duty and veteran ambassadors, more than 500 celebrities have stepped up to support the Boot Campaign mission since its founding in 2009. Joining the celebrity #BootsOn awareness campaign this month are actor Donald Faison (The Exes); retired all-pro NFL linebacker and sports commentator Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers, Fox Sports); actress, activist and daughter of a Tuskegee Airman, Anne-Marie Johnson (JAG); and television/radio host and daughter of the late Major Charles V. Bush, first African American graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Bettina Bush.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing their role in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as “Black History Month.”

About Boot Campaign

Established in 2009, Boot Campaign is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting patriotism for America and our military community; raising awareness of the unique challenges service members face during and post-service; and providing assistance to military personnel, past and present, and their families. Retail sales of combat boots, apparel, and mission-focused merchandise, general public donations, and corporate sponsorships fund programs that support military families. Learn more at http://bootcampaign.org and join the #BootsOn community on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Bootcampaign.

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