UNNAMED: 

This is a story near and dear as a veteran. In general my writing lends itself to activism and I often create to inform or draw attention to inequities to open dialogue about change. Doris T. Miller was the first African American to be recognized in battle as a hero during WWII. His actions not only proved his honor but they also helped push the military's desegregation.

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When I was young, I would visit the Doris Miller Recreation center in Austin Texas. I remember asking my father, a Vietnam veteran what "she" looked like. My dad laughed and said "girl! Doris wasn't no woman. Let me tell you about him." He then led me to photos of Doris Miller and told me his story. I remembered. 

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I revisited the story when brainstorming narratives that needed to be told, and through research I learned so much more. Doris Miller was sent back out to sea after a short speaking tour (selling war bonds and recruiting). When he went back to war, his ship was torpedoed and he died at sea. 

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To this day he never received the Medal of War.

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I hope this musical can help garner more support to finally give him and his family their honor and recognition.