RECOGNIZING PRIVATE CHARLES T. NORWOOD AND THE CHARLES T. NORWOOD AMERICAN LEGION POST 157

RECOGNIZING PRIVATE CHARLES T. NORWOOD AND THE CHARLES T. NORWOOD AMERICAN LEGION POST 157

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 9 (Thursday, January 16, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E42] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING PRIVATE CHARLES T. NORWOOD AND THE CHARLES T. NORWOOD AMERICAN LEGION POST 157 ______ HON. DEBORAH K. ROSS of north carolina in the house of representatives Thursday, January 16, 2025 Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Private Charles T. Norwood and to recognize the significant contributions of the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157. Private Charles T. Norwood served with distinction in Company H, 365th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division during World War I. On November 11, 1918, mere hours before the Armistice, Private Norwood was wounded in action. He succumbed to his injuries and Lobar Pneumonia on January 17, 1919, becoming the first African American soldier from Raleigh, North Carolina, to make the ultimate sacrifice in World War I. Private Norwood was laid to rest with full military honors in the Raleigh National Cemetery on August 1, 1921. He rests in Section 8, Site 1226. The Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 was chartered on December 19, 1924, to honor his memory and service. At a time when American society was segregated, including Veterans Service Organizations, the charter members of Post 157 were African American veterans of World War I. These founding members represented a cross- section of Raleigh's African American community, including medical professionals, businessmen, educators, administrators, and community leaders. For more than 100 years, the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 has served as a beacon of community service, veteran support, and civic engagement in Raleigh. Its establishment and ongoing legacy stand as a testament to the contributions of African American veterans to our nation's history and to the enduring spirit of service that defines the American Legion. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the heroism of Private Charles T. Norwood on the 106th anniversary of his death and commending the Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157 for its commitment to veterans and the Raleigh community for more than a century. May this legacy continue to inspire future generations to serve our nation and support our veterans. ____________________