HomeMy WebLinkAboutWWII Prog HarrisonEDDIE EARL HARRISON
Buffalo Soldiers -World War II
Home Front
He reminds us that all those who served, on whatever front, are part of what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.”
When Judge Eddie Harrison speaks of the heritage of the “Buffalo Soldiers”, given their name as a mark of respect by the Native Americans who fought them, his unique understanding of
what it means to fight a two-front war (for victory in combat and for civil rights at home) is evident.
Like veterans of previous wars, the “Buffalo Soldiers” returned home with high expectations of respect and a better life but found little had changed. Although unlike veterans of earlier
wars, the African Americans of World War II were not willing to accept what they found. They brought a sure knowledge that they could fight great odds, endure tremendous sacrifice and
continue through to victory.
As a veteran of the “home front”, Eddie Harrison went on after World War II to serve as one of the first generation of African American officers to command integrated units. His sense
of civic duty that led him to collect scrap along the fence rows, propelled him to a career as municipal court judge.
Although three of his brothers served during World War II in the segregated military units (the “Buffalo Soldiers”) that were part of every war America fought through World War II,
Eddie Harrison’s memories of wartime service are those of a man too young to serve in the military but old enough to be a veteran of the often forgotten “home front”. For Eddie and
the other young brother left on the home farm, war time meant years of hard work doing their part to support the older brothers.
For Eddie and other home front veterans, the war years were a time of victory gardens, scrap drives, war bond sales and the daily challenge of adjusting life to the needs of an economy
and society at war. Eddie remembers gathering all kinds of metal from fence rows and fields. When the scrap truck came along, the boys would flag down the truck and help load the scrap.
Everyone raised victory gardens to help provide basic food items and to free resources for the war effort. Things we take for granted required remarkable efforts and a tremendous spirit
of community cooperation. From the military discipline and experiences of the soldiers and from the experiences of those at home, a discipline and sense of community action grew that
had a direct impact on the future of America.
Judge Harrison remembers World War II as a time when a united effort in three major areas combined for the victory that has defined our world: (1) the military, (2) construction, manufacturing
and war production, and (3) the “home front”.
Eddie Harrison, BS Prairie View, MS TAMU James Ferguson, BA, M.Div.
US Army, 1st AD (retired) U.S. Army
Captain - Colonel, Korean War Okla. Natl. Guard Chaplain
WWII Prog Harrison