Welcome to our site!
I am Sonya R. Hodges and my reasons for finding, organizing and creating the 371st Historical
Society, World War I, are to honor my grandfather, Private Sanco Thompson, Sr., who served with
the 371st Infantry Regiment, and all of the other African-American soldiers of the 371st, 369th,
370th and 372nd Infantry Regiments, 93rd Division. I thank GOD for giving me the vision to put
together this organization.
We are the ancestors of a group of men who set aside everything to represent
the country they loved at a time when that same country was still caught up
in the racial prejudice, ignorance and aftermath of the American Civil War.
We are historians who want people to know and understand that World War I
is far more than just the war that came before World War II. We are people
who have enjoyed the freedoms bought for us at a price few of us will ever
fully comprehend or appreciate. We are among those who believe it is long
past time for these all but forgotten heroes to receive the recognition and
respect they have so much more than earned....by their own country. In many
ways, we are here to set the record straight. Where this critical part of history
is absent, we want to put it back and make these invisible heroes visible.
Where the information is minimal, erroneous or misleading, we want to offer
clear and honest data about who these men were, what they did and why we
should remember them.
We are South Carolinians. We are Americans. We are but a few of those who have benefited all our
lives from the selfless and courageous actions of a group of men history has all but elected to ignore.
We are here to change that. -- Captain (Retired) Anne M. Clarkson, educator, historian, lecturer
(August 25, 2010) - Owner of the original "Red Hand" Flag
We Hope You Will Join US !
Feel free to browse throughout our website which includes, recent and upcoming events, links
to view interesting facts, and a photo gallery (soon to be updated). If you should have any
comments or questions about our website, organizers, affiliates, events, etc., please feel free to
contact us by clicking on the above corresponding tab.
Thanks for visiting!
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All information printed with permission.
