Return To Glory

“Any dummy can spew divisive rhetoric to get elected…we need to put words to work toward a common vision to strengthen America wherever we live, learn, work and worship.”

By Stephanie A. Walker and Eric Stradford, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired

AMWS, January 1, 2016 Atlanta -- Authors Don Griffin and Joel Freeman co-wrote the book and also co-developed the script of the film, Return To Glory.  But, it was the transition of Original Montford Point Marine, Ozell Sutton from Earth’s labor to “Heaven’s scene” that brought national attention to untold "glory" behind #BlackLivesMatter and #MyBrothersKeeper.

Dr. Joel Freeman is also credited with the 123 minute DVD presentation entitled "A White Man's Journey Into Black History."  The founder of The Freeman Institute is committed to educating a nation on the value of her historically disadvantaged menfolk.  Friends connected as family through the National Basketball Association (NBA) know Freeman as the veteran chaplain of the NBA Washington Wizards for 19 years. 

More recently, the author and chaplain has been engaged in the #BlackLivesMatter and #MyBrothersKeeper movement as a healing asset for the 2016 Presidential campaign.  Freeman’s calming voice in neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson’s spirit offers the marginal and disenfranchised a unique path toward inclusion in that “more perfect union” envisioned in the U.S. Constitution.

As members of the Montford Point Marine Association celebrate the life of Congressional Gold Medal recipient Ozell Sutton, they could only imagine the fruits of their efforts would translate into economic security solutions for “Our Streets, USA.”  

The Montford Point Marines have been reaching out to investors in America’s future to engage them in national service at home.   Their “big picture” approach is embodied in The Marines’ Hymn, “…if the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven’s scene, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.” 


The Carson for President Campaign acknowledged the value of Montford Pointers in a national engagement strategy for #HealingAmerica.   The Montford Point Marines have not endorsed the candidate, but have fully committed to working with serious leaders committed to #HealingAmerica.  That includes faith and community leaders. 

The Montford Point Marines have called on fellow beneficiaries of “stolen peoples’ equity” to join forces in modeling “The Beloved Community” envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The worldwide African Methodist Episcopal Church has echoed the call with one for unity in the community, praying for healing during worldwide celebrations of “Freedom’s Eve.” 

In the six-state Atlanta Federal Reserve Region, the national 501c3 public charity Youth Achievers USA Institute has been calling on friends-n-kin to engage in increasing value where they live, learn, work and worship.   Already, Montford Point Marines in the Southeast United States and its Ladies Auxiliary have joined a movement toward developing America’s future leaders. 

A fully funded $1.8 million Montford Point Monument project evidences first fruits of engagement “in appreciation of a grateful nation.”   The City of Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Cobb County, GA are being challenged to forge the mettle it takes to truly honor one U.S. Marine.

Veterans of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces in Cobb County are getting the call from one local Montford Point chapter as a call for #HealingAmerica.   The veteran-led, #WeAreKENNESAW local engagement initiative connects learning assets of a state university to earning, living and giving assets on Main Street, USA.

“The 2016 race for president can no longer be perceived as a joke,” said Stephanie A. Walker Stradford, CEO, YouthUSA.   “Any dummy can spew divisive rhetoric to get elected,” she said.   “We The People need to put our words to work on a common vision to strengthen America wherever we live, learn, work and worship.”

The Board Chair for Youth Achievers USA Institute is looking for youth and young adults to lead a National Learn-2-Earn campaign and demonstrate America’s commitment to healing thyself.  She has called on the clean comedy team of Willie Brown and Woody to engage the undecided in a campaign for #HealingAmerica.  Your vote for #Woody4President supported through #Gold4Goals is a demonstration of collective corporate will to make business as usual a practice of the past.

#HealingAmerica Events

December 31, 2015 – Any church, ministry or community based organization is invited to join the Montford Point Marines in corporate prayer for #HealingAmerica.   Contact any African Methodist Episcopal Church to “lift a collective community voice” in celebration of “Freedom’s Eve.” 

January 5, 2016 – Formal launch of #WeAreKennesaw as a veteran-led community-engagement campaign in support of #HealingAmerica.

January 18, 2016 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Parade in Cobb County, GA will honor Original Montford Point Marines as The Grand Marshall’s Detachment.  Any veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces is invited to march or ride in MLK Day Parades in solidarity of #HealingAmerica.

February 27, 2016 --  #WeAreKennesaw will be honored at the SCLC Cobb Annual Gala by the Cobb SCLC Freedom and Justice Fund as a Community Engaged for #HealingAmerica.