#I was an old guard blog between july last year until november and it was awesome but I wasn't logged on every single day like now lmaooo

[fkyeahsuga]

Daegu genius Min yoongi pt.1

Yoongi is born in Daegu, the third largest city in South Korea, and has always been there before he came to Seoul. Young Yoongi is a boy who likes playing pranks.

Yoongi loves sports, he likes playing basketball, and is good at running too. He has always been chosen as an athlete for relay races since elementary until high school, and his grades are also slightly higher than average.

“When I was still in school, I’ve won a good amount of basketball competitions, and I still took out Sunday’s free time to play basketball when I was still trainee. My position is usually Point Guard or Shooting Guard, my speed is quick, and I do attack better than defense.” -Suga, ize Magazine interview, 2014.

(This is an incredibly long post, please click keep reading if you would like to read the rest.)

During fifth grade, Yoongi saw a performance of South Korean artist duo ‘Stony Skunk’ on TV. It sparked his interest in music, later on he also learned about Hip-hop and reggae music. During sixth grade, Yoongi started writing lyrics. By that time he already wrote lyrics similar to “Tomorrow”.

It was also during sixth grade when he discovered Epik High’s “Fly”, since then he made his decision to focus on rap. 

Yoongi’s elementary school graduation quote ©️yoongilogy “Sixth grade was fun I love you 3rd class Lastly peace -Yoongi- 

During his middle school days, Yoongi started learning classical music, and started trying to compose his own music. Second year in middle school, Yoongi stood on stage for the first time, performing Dynamic Duo’s "Go Back” with his friends.

Birth of Gloss

After getting in high school, Yoongi joined an underground Hip-hop group called “D-Town”, and started participating in Daegu underground hiphop scenes, his stage name was Gloss. This thumbnail shows his track “518-062” back from 2010 when Yoongi was under his stage name Gloss, the lyrics talk about The Gwangju Uprising.

link to Gloss’s NATE post. (You can find the video there) translation of the track’s lyrics.

During 2010, Gloss posted in forums, and the content was two tracks about D-town. (Source: 闵允其魅力观察所)

Posted on 2010.07.20 20:08 ID: Gloss Views:319 Favorites:0 Title: D-town philosophy of life Beat by: each other Lyrics by: Gloss, Lucid.p, the smile Rap/Vocal by (ft.): Gloss, Lucid.p, the smile Mixing by: Gloss

Posted on 2010.07.30 00:58 ID: Gloss Views:613 Favorites:0 Title: D-Town Baby under thunderbolt-like group Beat by: Eminem beat Lyrics by: Gloss, 낙션, Lucid.p, the smile Rap/Vocal by (ft.): Gloss, 낙션, Lucid.p, the smile Mixing by: Gloss

Yoongi’s self introduction during his second year of high school

I am Kangbuk High school’s second year student Min Yoongi.

I am a lyricist, composer and MIDI composer in a group called D-Town, I also participate as a producer and rapper. My speciality is writing lyrics, composing and making MIDIs. I like to play basketball, read and study MIDI equipments. Although I am still learning, I’ve already worked with a couple rappers active in Daegu to create mixtapes, and did several semi-professional performances.

I still have imperfections, but I have enough confidence, I’ll be more hardworking than anyone else.

Yoongi participated in making of ADV Reflow’s mixtape [REPRESENT] (published in 2011.09.14). As you can see, Yoongi already has quite the reputation and skills while he was in D-Town.

Making music underground is really tough. Yoongi of that time who was active as a producer went through a lot of hardships to save money for equipments. During performances, it would be considered miracle to have more than a hundred audiences.

“I had this thought before, when I succeed, can I build a bridge between mainstream music and underground music? I met a lot of talented people who make good music when I was underground, so I thought, when the day that I’m successful comes, I want to help them create a better environment, I want the world to listen their music.”

Yoongi’s turning point in life

2010, Yoongi joined Bighit’s audition in Daegu, the title is ’So fresh boy G’s in the building’.  

[Bighit audition candidate (Candidate no.2- Min Yoongi) | SUGA of Bangtan Sonyeondan] 

Rough lyrics trans:

So fresh boy G’s in the building

We are D-Town

Last year 17 years old I’m still young

Dream and reality have too much difference

But I still have big dreams

But I don’t care I’m OK I can’t turn back

Every night I leave school at 11

Why do people force me to attend university

I write my beats from dawn to 4 and a half o'clock

Few couple months my parents fought over different opinions

But I’m OK I’m blessed

I’m content with my life now

Even though I don’t have money to make music

I will still drive on my dreams

I will soar to a higher place

Thinking of these makes me bite my teeth and hang in there

I believe I can fly I will soar high enough touch the sky

Countless nights of losing in between studies and music

But I still don’t gain anything

Is there anyone who understands those days I’ve experienced

You people won’t even understand me

Entrance exam deadly choked my neck

Three years of high school life is like a neck-strangling Polo t-shirt

It defeated me, made me unable to breath

Also brought me a lot of frustrations on my path of following my dreams

It’s just bullshit

I believe I can fly I will soar high enough touch the sky

Whatever I don’t care

Just like this I’m OK

I believe I can fly I will soar high enough touch the sky

Whatever I don’t care

Just like this I’m OK

After that, Yoongi joined Bighit’s Rap battle with his track “Swagger” (original: Over by Drack). Yoongi was the first runner-up.

Yoongi in the house

Yoongi’s original intention of joining the company wasn’t as a rapper, but as a producer. At the time, the company wanted to build a group of all rappers (changes were made later on), and Yoongi became a trainee.

(Yoongi from trainee era)

Pdogg PD described Bangtan’s story from preparation to debut on “Idol maker” interview, July 2013.

“ First of all, we went through about 30 trainees. Also, although it’ll never be released, there are a lot of things that we worked on together. We worked on songs and did recordings and saw each other’s reactions that way. That period lasted for about 3 years, and the ones who remained afterwards were Suga, Rap Monster, and J-Hope. I have all the things these three made still on my computer. The kids made an average of at least one song per week, and there were also times when they had assignments. When there were a lot of people we’d split them into teams and have some of them work with foreign pop and some of them work with hip hop. Like, reinterpreting things in a hip hop manner. And when we felt that the number of people was good, we’d re-organize the members. “

We’d also split up the kids who were good at performance and the ones who weren’t. Through that process, they took a direction in earnest for more than a year, and I thought a lot as well. We also had a ton of meetings. After checking everything from the kids’ fashion to their condition, their rap, their singing level, we started working in earnest from November or December of last year. From that time a lot of talk came up. They operated their own blog, and the kids found a direction by choosing the songs or cover songs to upload there, but for me, the thing that was most difficult was having to make music that would be accepted by the general public. In the Korean major music scene, hip hop is just telling love stories through rap.

Read the whole interview here, snippets © bangtanbase

2011, Bighit company wanted to audition more candidates for BTS, hence the Hit It open audition. Yoongi and his fellow trainees Namjoon and Hoseok composed a track called “Paldo Gangsan” as the audition’s propaganda song. Yoongi used Gyeongsangdo satoori for his rap, this track also received a lot of attention from the public.

Also 2011, Bang PD went on MBC’s Star Audition, and in the background there was a chart for trainee’s monthly evaluations.

“December Monthly evaluation, 4th-Min Yoongi”

2012, Yoongi had a guest appearance in Jo Kwon sunbaenim’s MV “I’m Da One”.

(Bonus: Can you believe this happened) 

2013, Yoongi uploaded “SUGA’s Maschine mk2 Review”, in the video he used an OST from movie “The Man from Nowhere” for a mixing demo. The beat used inside was used in Yoongi’s track “The Last (마지막)” from his mixtape released in 2016.

March 5th 2013, Yoongi’s first solo log was published, he talked about the starting point of his music dream.

“The music played now is Epik High sunbaenim’s Fly, it is the song that lead me to hip-hop music, which I am grateful for. Listening to Epik High’s fly, I’ll have the idea of 'It’s time to compose rap’ this kind of thoughts. When I graduated in 2006, I heard this song and I thought, 'Yeah, I want to rap too’, it became my dream, my everything, my life, and it made me into who I am today. It’s the best healing music, Epik High’s fly, like recently I’m abit frustrated so if I listen to it, I will feel energized and motivated to make better music." 

March 9th 2013, Yoongi recorded a long on his birthday. 2chainz’s "Birthday song” was played inside the small working room, at that time he could only pass his birthday with his members.

April 10th 2013’s log showed Yoongi was diligently making preparations for their debut title track.

“Apparently today is also spent on creating the title track, this whole week was dedicated to composing it. I feel my patience is going to hit it’s limit, I had to make alot of fixes to it, and it disrupted my sleeping schedule so I have to sleep in the morning now. Everyone it must be your first time seeing my hair like this, when composing I won’t wear my cap so I’d feel comfortable, this whole week was used to write and compose and rewrite again. Instead of having thoughts like very tired, the idea of using my lyrics and my music to stand on the stage gave me more motivation, I hope I can quickly meet everyone with good music.”

April 30th 2013, Yoongi’s last log before debut.

“It’s now 12AM , dance practice is everyday from 1PM to 8PM, and after that I’ll start writing songs. Now it’s close to finishing the song. While writing it is quite tiring, even though I learn alot from this. Now it’s meeting an end, I’m happy but also reluctant. Actually, I’m wuite happy, I changed my hairstyle, its now shorter and I look more energetic. It will be May really soon, and our debut date is close. I hope everyone will be anticipated, and support us alot.”

Debut

May 24th 2013, BTS’ debut trailer was published.

4th June 2013, Yoongi’s teaser pictures were published.

12th June 2013, on their debut showcase, Yoongi stood in front of fans as BTS member SUGA.

[Timeline sorted according to Japan Official Fanclub’s magazine Vol.2 SUGA’s Biography/ Ize Magazine(130718)/ Ize Magazine(2014)/ Ceci August issue (2013)]

Yoongi the hardworking musical genius

2014, Yoongi’s replies to fans’ question on Twitter.

Q: Usually where do you write your lurics? Living room? Practice room?…..Toilet? Please…!!!!!! kek SG: As for this album, I wrote them in the working room and on AHL’s shooting spots! My part in cypher is written on the plane ride from Brazil to Korea, I’ll write no matter where I am

Other interviews

Q: Please share your moments while writing songs in the work room.

SG: If i post pictures on SNS, it means I’m working smoothly. Usually I update when I feel good writing. I always sleep on my chair in the work room. (JM: He’s always in the work room, as if he made it his house)

[Haru Hana vol.29 ©️kimmyyang]

Q:If you have a short break, what would you like to do most?

SG: If time allows me, I would like to stay in my work room and write songs sleeplessly. Actually today I worked for 2 hours too, the work room is where I feel most relaxed, writing songs in the room is also what I enjoy the most. So if there is a break, I suppose I would still keep on working.

[Haru Hana vol.22 ©️yoogamin]

[VOL.29 Publish #BTS Secret talk.4]

Because of the magazine’s layout, these are conversations that couldn’t be added into the publications. Looking at Yoongi who works hard every night, Jimin always thinks “Should be sleeping all the time~” Yoongi replies, “I almost don’t sleep every night, sometimes I even burn the midnight oil to finish my job, so I would grab every opportunity to rest even during backstage." 

"I think someone who wants to accomplish something cannot loaf on the job, so if I don’t have schedules I will stay in the work room. I’m the type of of person to make alot of tracks and compile them together, it’s my wealthiest possession, like this I can improve my skills, so I’m always trying.” ©️K-Day

“During overseas schedules, being able to soak in baths in the hotel is the best feeling ever, but if I’m in Korea, I would keep myself in the working room and write songs. When I realize, all my tiredness is gone.”

[Cancam magazine ©️ kimmyyang]

Q: Where does your inspirations come from? What kind of environment do you like to work under?

SG: Usually I write better when I’m on plane rides, half of the tracks in my mixtape 'Agust D’ were written on plane rides.

[fans Magazine 2016 November issue, scan ©️ @玧其a]

Elder hyung pair is gentle JIN and cool SUGA. When SUGA stays in his working room, JIN can take over the room of two for himself. The elder hyung room is probably a no-talk, only seldomly cough noises, a really quiet room.

[Kpop Top Idol ©️Baidu_闵玧其Suga吧]

Give it to me lyrics snippet ©Joyce & Vicky @ bts-trans

Cypher pt.4 SUGA’s lyrics snippet © Jessie, Emily, Hyeeun @ bts-trans

Music’s biggest disciple

150615 Yoongi’s twitter update “If there’s any music that can satisfy me, I won’t be where I am today. To make songs that will satisfy everyone is really hard, I really am getting a clearer idea, but also I’m also getting more confused.Actually I would’ve released my mixtape earlier along with Namjoon, but because it got more and more under my expectations so I delayed it. I’m working on both album and mixtape, however it still couldn’t make me feel pleased. Instead of just simply finishing it, I’d rather not do it”

Q: Things that you want to challenge? SG: I’m not particularly interested in anything besides music, however if I have to say, I’d like to try photography, and also stage preparation and MV PD’s job.

Q: So that means you’d love to challenge anything related to music? SG: Yes, my goal is to make comphrehensive content.

[Oricon Style Vol.15 /chansol]

Q: What changes do you think has applied to the current you compared to when you debuted? SG: Nothing changed, no matter when the music and the stage is my top priority. Members are starting to try out different things, but still everyone would prioritize the group for the future and goals of the group, we all strongly share the same idea of it.

[170131 Women’s weekly]

“I began music at the age of 13, but through BTS promotions I seriously thought about what the identity of an idol and musician should be. However I no longer think of that way. Good music will get recognition no matter what. It doesn’t matter if an album is released by an idol or a musician. I am just a person who makes music, making good songs is my top priority. Gaining popularity as an idol or getting recognition as a musician, these thoughts come latter. Lately, it has been enjoyable to be able to work on music with the members. At first, our rap style sounds similar, however now our individual styles are getting more clearer. By having discussions we are able to make better music, and this progress is also a really fun stress? It would be impossible to not feel stressed at all, but I think what suits us now is 'responsibility’ as we want to bring better music to everyone. It might seem arrogant, but this is our swag. Arrogance and swag are different.

[Singles 2017 Jan issue]

"Just using my personality as an example, if I got scolded, I’ll have two reactions: "Ah is it so? I won’t do it again” and “Ok then, I’ll prove it to you”. But towards music, I only have the second attitude, of course in the past I’ve gotten mean comments and questions, such as “You can’t make it” “Making rap brings you nowhere”. But now I no longer feel intensely towards these kind of comments, I’ve left behind these negativity and move on, making me who I am today, I prove that I can make it, and it’s better than expected. In the future I will still keep on showing them my power, and one day they’ll change their idea of me. If I gave up because of the negative comments, thinking “Sigh I no longer can do it”, then I would’ve not held on making my own music for so long. I think my unyielding attitude is an important part in my path to follow my music dreams.“

[10+ Asia Magazine]

"It is actually quite hard to describe our music genre now, we do not want to have our music solely as one genre. Our music is not like Kendrick Lamar, people could tell what genre it is after listening to it. We like Hip-hop, but we do not cling onto it, we would mix EDM, pop or rock genre with it as the base.”

“I believe if it’s what I like, then it’s going to be good.”

“Music was never meant to be judged by producers, but the audience instead. If the music does not suit the audience’s liking, then people wouldn’t like it. Everything will be decided according to the audience’s liking, I guess we don’t have to explain to everyone that 'music should be like this’.”

“I think people’s thoughts will always change, in the current era, rather than searching for music just because people want to listen to music, nowadays people would rather listen to what they have listened to before. And if the music is highly praised, then it would be great music. Our job here is to be persistent on bringing great music to everyone, after getting feedback from the public we would make changes and make our music even better. Judgment power will be completely passed to the audience.”

“Recently I did not think around 'rap should be unique’ or 'it must be hiphop’ thoughts like this, I’d rather focus around my attitude towards music. I would no longer let myself get restricted by thoughts like those. If I like it then it’s going to be good, not because it’s hiphop, but because it’s good music. In the past I have always felt puzzled by it, thinking 'why would it be like this…’ and would also question what people think of us. But now I just want to fully give my all to making music that will touch people’s hearts, so thoughts like 'it should be like this’ has drastically decreased.”

“No matter what, because I’m a person who makes music, so I hope i can satisfy my values of life through music. No matter it’s rap, rhythm beat or composing, we still hope to get everyone’s recognition. I definitely do not want my path on music to end like this, a short 1-2 years of making music. My persistence towards music will always keep on, I want to keep on making music so even if I don’t get what I expected from feedbacks, I still won’t give up that easily. I am very clear that we are unable to make everyone like us, but I believe more and more people will hear our music.”

[Meeting Hiphop SUGA interview]

“We are hiphop idols however in most people’s eyes we’re still commercial idols, and would not be treated as hiphop idols. There are so many doubts. Am I doing the music I always wanted to do? Or is it the music I am supposed to do? It circled around my mind for abit, am I someone who wants to express himself, or someone who wants to make music? Thinking back and forth, I hope I can have a more philosophical view on music.”

[American Hustle Life]

Q: Is it easier to make music under stressful conditions for you?

SG: Indeed it is easier to write more music when I am having emotional times, but it’s not because I’m sad or happy or having any kind of emotions while I write them. It would be ideal to be able to squeeze creative juices for song writing under any kind of situation.

[Haru Hana vol.22]

ASTA TV: It is undeniable that among k-idol groups, BTS’ sharp dance moves are really dazzling. But I have a question for Min PD, when you have tough times when making music, do you have tips to overcome them?

SG: Actually no matter what problem it is, I can only think of that I should just get over with it. Same goes to music, as everything on the world would have their own tough times too, it could be short term or long term. But i believe if I just don’t give up, it would all become better.

[ASTA TV ©️adre95xx]

Compilation ©Yunyiya  Translation ©Admin Sera

Part two

#170309 #yoongi appreciation #min yoongi #suga #genius #happy birthday #posting this part one before his birthday ends #im sorry i made so many typos #i will fix it in the morning #170311 i lied im not going to find my typos

[chapsgenstore]

Some years ago I received a photo from Greenfielder, James F. Cannon. It was of a John R. Cannon, taken in France during his service in World War One. Along with the photo he also sent me a document regarding African American soldiers who served in the trenches of World War One. As part of my contribution to Black History Month, I’d like to reprise the information Mr. Cannon sent me. This was originally published on my blog in 2008.

John R. Cannon – France WWI

Judge James F. Cannon

African-Americans and World War One The dichotomy of American involvement in World War One was, of course, that America was in the war fighting to make the world safe for democracy, but many African Americans in the United States did not enjoy that very premise.

While the American military leaders had little faith in African American ability in combat, they acknowledged that everyone would be needed in the war effort nonetheless.  With the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany in March 1917, a month before the U.S. declared war, the First Separate Battalion (Colored) of the Washington D.C. National Guard was mustered into federal service to guard the White House, Capitol and other federal buildings.

From most accounts, African American leaders backed America’s entry into the war.  In one instance, the secretary of the NAACP said that patriotism was fanned into a flame in Harlem.

While there were regular Army units of African Americans in service at the start of the war, the 24th and 25th Infantry and the 9th and 10th Cavalry, the Army command decided to use only National Guard and drafted units in Europe.  The Regular army units would provide cadres of non-commissioned officers and specialists for the overseas units.

The total number of African-American men called under the Selective Service Draft Regulations during 1917-1918:  367,710

Mistreatment of soldiers of the 24th Infantry stationed in Houston led to disturbances between the soldiers and civilians in August 1917 which resulted in some civilian deaths and the executions of 13 soldiers of the 24th Infantry.

While the soldiers expected the uniform of the United States to be accorded proper respect, the reality of many situations, especially in the south, did not support this belief.

Some National Guard organizations fared better.  The 8th Illinois National Guard, which became the 370th Infantry Regiment was the only guard organization with a full complement of African American officers, which was a source of pride.  It had seen combat service on the Mexican Border in the years just prior to 1917

On the whole training facilities and quality of training for African American troops was substandard

With a few exceptions like the officer training camp at Camp Hancock, Georgia where the commander insisted on good training and proper respect and the instructors were French and British Officers.

Social support systems for soldiers were in place, with The Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Red Cross doing a fair job of helping the troops with integrated services.

In most African American communities there was overwhelming support of the Liberty Bond drives in 1917.

On the homefront, the contributions to the war effort were varied and successful, including: The Women’s Auxiliary of the 15th regiment; individual efforts by Eva D. Bowles, Secretary of the Colored Women’s War Work in Cities. Alice Dunbar Nelson, the recognized leader of mobilization of African American women for the Council of National defense. Louise J. Ross, the chairperson of the New Orleans Chapter American Red Cross.

African Americans worked with the U.S. Department of Labor, the national Bureau of War Risk Insurance, the Women’s Motor Corps, nationwide war fund drives, the War Camp Community Service, war-time National Food Administration Young Women’s Christian Association and Young Men’s Christian Association, the American Red Cross Nurses and Canteen Workers.  One reference described that when the African American 805th Pioneer Infantry passed through Kansas City, Kansas heading for Europe, they were served by a canteen committee and supplied with candy, chewing gum, smokes and matches.

African Americans were employed in a number of war industries, including munitions production. There were the Organized Women Knitters and the Circle of Negro War Relief.

Mr. Emmett J. Scott, of the Tuskegee Institute, was Special Assistant to the Secretary of War, Newton Baker.  Mr. Scott became a noted historian of the African American efforts in the war.

The first African Americans in military service to be in combat zones were in the U.S. Navy and were among the service personnel landing the first troops of the American Expeditionary Forces in France.

While it is estimated that 1/3 of all labor troops in Europe were African Americans, it is not true that all were assigned to labor units.

The earliest combat units to reach France were assigned to French divisions and this included the former 15th New York, which became the 369th Fighting Rattlesnakes, part of the 93rd Division (provisional). Lieutenant James Reese Europe led the famous 369th Regimental Band.

Sergeant Henry Johnson, 369th Infantry was the first AMERICAN recipient of the French Croix de Guerre for bravery.  Private Needham Roberts, 369th Infantry, was the second recipient. On May 14, 1918, a German raiding party wounded both men and when they attempted to take Roberts prisoner, Johnson fought with his rifle butt and bolo knife to free him.  They killed four Germans and wounded several others.  A posthumous Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to Henry Johnson in 2003.

The 369th Infantry Regiment took part in the July 15-18 Champagne-Marne Offensive, then occupied the lines in the Calvaire and Beausejour sectors, and by mid August, the 369th had been in the line for 130 days and by the end of the war had been on the FRONT line for a total of 191 days.

With the 371st and 372nd Regiments, the 369th fought in the Meuse-Argonne offensive between September 26 and October 8th.

Horace Pippin, a member of the 369th kept and illustrated a journal of his experiences and these events would later play a large part in his work as a noted artist.  Here he wrote with a sketch that the “guns were strong and all we could do were to wait.”

The 370th participated in the Oise-Aisne operation between September 15 and October 13th,  and October 28 to November 11th, 1918.

Corporal Freddie Stowers of the 371st Infantry lead a squad against a strong German position on September 28, 1918 and although mortally wounded, Stowers, a 21 year old from North Carolina, urged his men on to defeat the Germans.  His commanding officer recommended Corporal Stowers for the Medal of Honor.  It was presented posthumously in 1991.

Lieutenant Colonel Otis B. Duncan of the 370th Infantry, was the highest-ranking African American in the American Expeditionary Forces.

The 92nd (Buffalo) Division participated in the occupation of the Saint Die Sector from August 23 to September 20, 1918

Second Lieutenant Aaron R. Fisher, 366th Infantry, in the middle of the photo, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action, near Lesseux, France, September 3, 1918.  He showed exceptional bravery in action when a superior force of the enemy raided his position by directing his men and refusing to leave his position, although he was severely wounded.  He and his men continued to fight the enemy until the latter was beaten off by a counterattack.”  He was from Lyles, IN.

The 92nd took part in the Meuse-Argonne battle from September 26 to October 3rd.

First Lieutenant Robert L. Campbell, 368th Infantry was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Binarville, France, September 27, 1918.  During the afternoon of September 27, Lieut. Campbell saw a runner fall wounded in the middle of a field swept by heavy machine gun fire.  At imminent peril to his own life, and in full view of the enemy, he crossed the field and carried the wounded soldier to shelter.”  Lieutenant Campbell was from Greensboro, NC.

The 92nd Occupied the Marbache Sector, October 9 – November 11 and participated in the attack of the 2nd Army November 10-11.

The 92nd had 1570 battle casualties and the 93rd, 3927.

Kansas Citian, Private Grant McClellan wrote home to his wife a number of letters describing his experiences

In one he related, “You asked me what Division I was in when we came over.  We were the last part of the 92nd Division but when we got to the front they were resting and we went over the top with the 28th Division.”

The artist, Edward Tanner, who had ties to Kansas City, was too old at 58 in 1917 to serve in the military, so he joined the American Red Cross in France.  He developed a plan to grow produce and raise livestock around military hospitals to provide better food and boost morale for the convalescent soldiers.  By the summer of 1918, his program was a great success.

In September 1918, he received permission to sketch in the Military Advance Zone and he produced two lasting images:  a charcoal drawing, “American Red Cross Canteen, World War One,” where he specifically included an African American soldier and again in the painting “American Red Cross Canteen at the Front.”

Tanner mustered out of Red Cross service in June 1919 and his painting “The Arch” was of the solemn festival of 13 July 1919 in honor of the dead.

Pioneer Infantry regiments were organized in the summer of 1918 and given standard infantry training so that if necessary they could be used in combat

Pioneer infantry regiments worked behind the front lines in the Argonne Forest and at St. Mihiel where they built narrow and wide gauge railroads and macadam roads for the movement of light and heavy artillery and supplies.

the 805th was rushed in to repair a road near Varenne, which had been so damaged by German shellfire that ammunition could not be moved forward.  The Pioneers worked through the night with shells falling around them. Some also worked in burial details, often under shellfire.  7 of the 17 African American Pioneer Infantry Regiments were entitled to wear battle clasps on the Victory medals whereas of the other 20 Pioneer Infantry regiments, only 8 were.

The 809th Pioneer Infantry had a notable baseball team.  It won the championship of the St. Nazaire league and finished third overall in the AEF.

Corporal, later sergeant, Vernon Coffey, of Kansas City, Missouri, joined the 806th Pioneer Infantry at Fort Riley (Camp Funston), Kansas.  He received overseas clothes and weapons at Camp Mills, New York where he shipped out for France.  After attending gas school at Langras, France, he served at ammunition dumps at Flury and Lima.

Coffey would return to his home after the war.  Coffey finished, as he related, his law studies and became an attorney and a preacher, later, at the First AME Church in Kansas City, Kansas.

The labor battalions towards the end of the war were organized into 46 engineer service battalions, 44 labor battalions, 24 labor companies, 3 stevedore battalions, 2 stevedore regiments and 2 butchery companies.

Following the outpouring of joy for the Armistice on November 11, 1918 and the triumphant return of the troops, most found that little had changed and that the fight for equality at home was still many years in the making.

The two combat divisions, A.E.F. were composed as follows:

92nd Division, National Army (Buffalo Division)

183rd Infantry Brigade

365th Infantry Regiment

366th Infantry Regiment

350th Machine Gun Battalion

184th Infantry Brigade

367th Infantry

368th Infantry

351st Machine Gun Battalion

167th Field Artillery Brigade

349th F.A. Regiment

350th F.A.

351st F.A.

317th Trench Mortar Battery

Divisional Troops

349th Machine Gun Battalion

325th Field Signal Battalion

317th Engineer Regiment

Headquarters Troop

Supply and Medical Trains, including Dental Corps

The 92nd Division was in battle for 17 days

93rd Division, Provisional

185th Infantry Brigade

369th Infantry

370th Infantry

186th Infantry Brigade

371st Infantry

372nd Infantry

Some other examples of combat bravery: Captain Thomas E. Jones, Medical Corps attached to the 368th Infantry, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Binarville, France, September 27, 1918.  Captain Jones went into an open area subjected to direct machine gun fire to care for a wounded soldier who was being carried by another officer.  While dressing the wounded soldier, a machine gun bullet passed between his arms and chest and a man was killed within a few yards of him.”  He was from Washington, D.C.  Corporal Van Horton, 366th Infantry, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, “for extraordinary heroism in action near Lesseau, France, September 4, 1918.” Corporal Horton held his position, stopping a powerful enemy attack.  He was from Athens, AL.

Private Joe Williams, 366th Infantry, Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Lesseau, France.”  Private Williams, though wounded, held off an enemy attack with three other soldiers.  He was from  Octon, AL.

Private (later Sergeant) Roy A. Brown, 366th Infantry, Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Lesseau, France.  Private Brown, though wounded, held off an enemy attack with three other soldiers.  He was from Decatur, AL.

Private Ed Merrifield, 366th Infantry, Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Lesseau, France.”  Although severely wounded, Private Merrifield remained at his post and prevented the success of an enemy raid.  He was from Greenville, IL.

Private Alex Hammond, 366th Infantry, Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Lesseau, France.”  Although Private Hammond was severely wounded, he prevented a breakthrough by an enemy raid in force.  He was from Harvest, AL.

Private George Bell, 366th Infantry, Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Lesseau, France.”  Although Private Bell was severely wounded, he prevented a breakthrough by an enemy raid in force. He was from Athens, AL.

Private Will Clincy, Private 1st Class, 366th Infantry, Distinguished Service Cross “for extraordinary heroism in action near Frapelle, France, September 4, 1918.”  Private Clincy showed exceptional bravery during an enemy raid.  His teammate on an automatic rifle was mortally wounded and Clincy, although also wounded, continued to serve his weapon alone until the raid was driven back. He was from Birmingham, AL.

Twelve other African Americans were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for combat bravery.

Sergeant Rufus Pinckney, 372nd Infantry was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for capturing fifteen Germans and saving a French officer’s life.

Other recipients of the Croix de Guerre included:

Private Ed Williams

Private Herbert Taylor

Private Leon Fraitor

Private Ralph Hawkins

Private H.D. Prunes

Sergeant D. Stormes

Private Arthur Menly  all of the 369th Infantry

*[Period references and period titles, especially of organizations which use terms not in common usage today were used in this section].

Bibliography

Congressional Medal of Honor, The Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal Issued by the War Department, April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1919; compiled in the Office of the Adjutant general of the Army, 1919.

Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, American Expeditionary Forces – Divisions; Historical Section, Army War College, 1931.

92nd Division Summary of Operations in the World War; American Battle Monuments Commission, 1944.

93rd Division Summary of Operations in the World War; American Battle Monuments Commission, 1944.

The American Negro in the World War; Emmett J. Scott, 1919.

History of the American Negro in the Great World War; W. Allison Sweeney, 1919.

The Unknown Soldiers – African-American Troops in World War I; Arthur E. Barbeau & Florette Henri, 1974, 1996.

The Doughboy, Summer 1991, Volume 14., No. 1.

Across Continents and Cultures:  The Art and Life of Henry Ossawa Tanner; Dewey F. Mosby, 1995.

“African-American Artist and Soldier” by Walter Kudlick, Stand To!  The Journal of the Western Front Association, January 1997, No. 48.

United States Army in the World War, 1917-1919, 16 volumes; Historical Division, Department of the Army, 1948.

Personal Documents in the Archives of the Liberty Memorial Museum, Kansas City, MO.

  African Americans in World War One Some years ago I received a photo from Greenfielder, James F. Cannon. It was of a John R.

#BLACK HISTORY #HISTORY #LOCAL HISTORY #MILITARY

[broketheyolk]

Inadequate

Wow, it’s been over a year since I’ve written in here. Well, some things have changed and a lot hasn’t. I just read my last post and it was pretty humorous for the state of mind I was in (which was pretty fucking depressed). Update: I was good for a while but now I’m back feeling depressed as fuck. I’ve gotten a new keyboard at least so now I can type a bit better than how I was with the last post from over a year ago. Since I just read my last entry I’ll try to keep the format the same so I can remember what I was doing or at least paint a picture if you’re a random person just reading this. It’s 3:07am on a Saturday night (technically Sunday morning). I was just kind of pissed off because I couldn’t figure out how to log into this blog since I thought it was tied in with my “regular” tumblr but after getting mad and getting kind of hot (literally, I was sweating) I figured out that this tumblr was under a different email. God, I’m such a genius. It’s July and it’s still warm at night so I have my fan in my window blowing cold air in so I won’t be all sweaty and gross while I’m trying to sleep. Ghost in the Shell is playing in the background on the tv. I’m listening to Spotify to Hello by Engelwood Radio but the station was kind of sucking so I had to just switch it to the song on repeat. I have a ton of thoughts going through my head and it’s hard to figure out what to write first.

I feel like shit. I’ve been depressed for the last two weeks. It isn’t as bad as when I had it last year, which was really the first time I’ve ever really been depressed and felt that way. I feel like I just have anxiety all the time. My sister, her kids and her stupid ass husband are moving back in which is going to be a shitty situation. They say they’re only going to be here for 6 or 7 months but god knows how long it will really take them to leave. That prompted one of the reasons for my anxiety/depression. I was looking to finally move out but with the stupid bills I have I can’t afford to get an apartment and they don’t even really have studios in  the area which I would be fine with. Not being able to afford to move out really fucked with my head. I’m 30 going on 31 now and I feel so fucking inadequate. I’m working at a job where my coworkers are in their early twenties and here I am 30 years old and I just feel like a piece of shit loser. I feel like I should have more to show for my age but then again I can’t really complain because I haven’t put in the work to earn a better living. Then there’s my job. I feel really complacent. I make an ok amount of money but at this point I need to make more so I can finally fully support myself. The thing is that if I don’t think about it I’m fine where I’m at grinding away. Unless, I think about it then I won’t want to do any better. Also, I’m still fat. I’ve made minimal effort in trying to lose weight and it just comes down to me being a lazy piece of shit.                                                    

Here’s the cherry on the top though, I met a girl. She came in while I was working and made a funny comment asking if I was the only person there, which caught me off guard but was a great ice breaker. We talked a lot and it was nice that we were the only ones in the store so I could really talk and listen to her. She told me about her family and I was enamored immediately with her. She is definitely my type. She’s just a cute white girl that’s pretty nerdy. We joked around a bit and I told her I would text her and we were going to be best friends. Braden saw some of it go down and he was like “wow, good job.” Like I’ve flirted with girls that have come in before but this was the first time I really trying to get at her. That was on a Saturday and I emailed her my usual conformation email but with added personal things. She replied back and it gave me butterflies. Actually, just thinking about the first time we met gives me butterflies. I text her on Monday telling her about getting her service turned on and she replied back with a “Finally!” and oh man my heart fluttered. It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this with a girl .The real last time was with her but I guess everyone except for me knew she just wanted attention so I finally had to fall back because I was just putting in all that time on something that wasn’t going to happen. Anyways, so we text back and forth and it’s kind of dry. Like I don’t know if she isn’t into texting but she usually takes forever to reply and it’s hard to keep the conversation going. I figure out she’s into anime and stuff so we find common ground in that. I threw out senpai forgive me and she liked that and probably got the first “lol” out of her. I remember we were texting pretty much throughout the whole 4th of July. I really wanted to see her but I was being a bitch and should have just went to the fort with her but I was hanging out with my family that didn’t care if I was there or not and with Steve and Kai since he was back from Arizona for like a day. So we keep texting and she tells me about a spot she likes going to called Quarterworld. It’s like Ground Kontrol/Wunderland. She said she likes to go alone and drink while she’s there. I poke and prod saying we should go but she says it’s her tradition to go alone and I don’t know if she’s being serious or not but for some reason I keep bringing it up and I don’t know if she wants me to leave it alone. Anyways we finally end up hanging out. We drive to Uwajimaya and just browse all the aisles and small talk about everything. I geek out a little on the gundams they have there but don’t buy any because I don’t want her to think I’m a super nerd and I don’t have the room on my shelf. We end up eating at that Korean spot Tony likes and the whole time from me picking her up and to the restaurant, she’s doing all of the talking. I saw some stuff here and there but I was just over thinking everything and was too nervous to talk. Thankfully, she was ok with talking and I honestly could just listen to her talk about anything. She told me stories of her old roommates and her old job and how crazy it made her. How she was drinking herself to sleep to cope with the stress from work. She told me about how she has a wedding she wants to go to in November but her significant ex’s will be there and it would be kind of weird because she told them to leave her and get with a different girl that was better and they ended up breaking up with her and doing so. That made me feel kind of weird. Also, how her old roommate that was schizophrenic called her the time lord because all the guys in the place had a crush on her and how she was controlling all of them because she knew that. That made me feel pretty weird too. Like is she the type of person to do that kind of thing? So we end dinner and I take her home. I couldn’t figure out if we were on a date or just hanging out but it was the ladder. On the way back she notices that I haven’t talked as much and tries making an effort to engage me in conversation but I’m still fucking nervous and I talk about my family and visiting Papa but it all comes in blurts. I drop her off and the whole time she was talking during dinner I was looking at her face and realizing how fucking attractive and pretty she really is. I pull up to her spot and she was like no one’s ever paid for me before and I was taken back like really? And she hops out to get her stuff out of the back seat and I was just looking back at her like well I guess no good night kiss so this definitely wasn’t a date.

Since then we’ve just been texting and I’ve been the one texting her first every day. I seriously cannot tell if she just wants to be friends or wants to see where this is going. Like I’m trying to hang out with her but she’s told me twice she’s blown her entertainment funds for the week which I don’t know is an excuse or she is really budgeting to the penny. Either way it’s been fucking with my head. All this anxiety and depression I feel is stemming from me being attracted and into her but not really receiving the same feelings back. Like with her even though it wasn’t going anywhere. She responded back with engaging conversations and told me good night, tagged me in memes, snapped each other and told me good night. With this new girl I don’t get any of that so I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong or she doesn’t care. It’s seriously fucking with my emotions. Like I am really into her and I don’t know what to do. There’s so much uncertainty around her and it just makes me internalize everything. Like would she show more interest if I was better looking? If was taller? If I weren’t fat? Am I boring? I’m over thinking it but I am having a lot of inadequacy issues. Like I’ll text her and sometimes she’ll reply right away and other times like hours later. I’m finding myself over thinking it a lot and getting all in my feelings. Like I just want to be loved and I feel like a deserve it. Her coupled with all the other shit going on has been giving me such bad anxiety and stress and everyone has noticed it. Everyone at work and even mama could tell I was stressed out. I’ll catch myself just feeling super anxious and being caught between what can I do to fix this or lie in fetal position. I haven’t had an appetite for a while because I’ve been stressed and when I think about it I don’t want to get fat because maybe she’ll like me more. These last couple days where I try to hit her up to no response I’ll find myself just thinking so much and getting depressed. The other night I needed to do something to get my mind off of it so I went to Quarterworld by myself and felt pretty good. I played a shit ton of marvel vs capcom and ate at the baowser next door after. It’s funny cause I texted her earlier that day with no response until hours later when I was Quarterworld by myself. Then I did the same shit the other day where I ended up by OHSU by a park and ended up walking Tilikum crossing and guess what? She finally replied to a text hours later. Like I texted her at noon then around 8 saying I wanted to hang out again and she said oops I fell asleep and I wanted to get ramen or do something cool and I took an hour to reply just cause I was walking around on the bridge and couldn’t think of anything to say. I respond like 40 min later and no response. I text her today 3 times and different times and no response until hours later saying she couldn’t because she blew her entertainment funds like night. So I asked her what she ended up doing and she was like refilling contact lenses. Like cool, you spend your entertainment money on contacts. I don’t know what to believe. I don’t know if my persistence is going against me or if she is just actually a bad texter. I seriously don’t know what to do. Should I keep trying to pursue her or is it a lost cause. I really want to get to know her and see where we can take things but I can’t force her to like me. This uncertainty just sucks and the feeling of being inadequate and unwanted is floating over me like a dark cloud. I wish the communication was better so I could figure out if this is a lost cause. I don’t care if she doesn’t have an entertainment budget I can pay for her. It’s not like I can be a sugar daddy but I feel like I could treat her well. Also, being my age and still feeling all these things fucking suck too, I don’t want to be old and alone.  

Well hopefully I’ll write more in here. I’ve had a lot of thoughts and feelings I’ve had to get off my chest. But if I don’t things will have worked out and I’ll be dating and if I do things won’t have worked out and I’ll be venting more. Peace out girl scout.

#feelings #inadequacy