One family in Freehold, New Jersey, sent six young men to fight in World War II. They served in every branch and theater of the war, only to return to a country that didn’t appreciate them as they did other soldiers. The Lewis brothers were black.
Decades later, Freehold residents and dignitaries from across the state paid homage to the Lewis brothers. They gave thanks to the sole remaining veteran, Bigerton “Buddy” Lewis Jr. Read my story in the Asbury Park Press if you want to find out more about Buddy and his family. The borough historian, Kevin Coyne, has a book on Buddy and five other servicemen called Marching Home that offers great insight into what life was like back then.