The 21st Show

First Black Marines at Risk of Losing Veterans Center; Fighting for a Cure to ALS

Niala Boodhoo, Libby Foster and Robin Linn
 
The first African American marines are at risk of losing their Montford Point Marines Association this year.

The first African American marines are at risk of losing their Montford Point Marines Association this year. Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

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On The 21st: In the 1940s, the Montford Point Marines fought in World War II and were the first African-American marines. Today, some of those veterans live in Chicago, and for decades they’ve relied on a local veterans center that’s now at risk of closing. Plus, Chicagoan Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS more than a year ago, and he’s spending his time trying to raise 100 million dollars to help find a cure for future generations.

The Montford Point Marines were the the first African-Americans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps back during World War II. This was during a time when the entire military was segregated. In 2011, all Montford veterans, both living and deceased, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Today several of those marines are still alive and living in Illinois, most in their 90s.  But they’re at risk of losing their veterans’ center on Chicago’s South Side.

WBEZ Reporter Susie An has been reporting on this, and she joined us from the Illini Center in Chicago.

Plus- 

What do you think of when you hear ALS? Maybe Lou Gehrig or the Ice Bucket Challenge come to mind. But, even though it’s estimated that about 20,000 Americans are living with ALS, beyond that, many of us don’t know much about the disease.

Brian Wallach was first diagnosed with ALS in November of 2017, at age 37. He was given 6 months to live. Today, him and his wife are fighting for a cure through his organization, I Am ALS.

Brian joined us in our studio at the Illini Center in downtown Chicago. 

Story source: WILL