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City honors veterans and local civic leaders: Montford Point Marines, Triple Nickels and community volunteer Lucy Sharp
Summary
The council issued proclamations recognizing longtime civic volunteer Lucy M. Sharp and honoring surviving Montford Point Marines and members of the WWII‑era Triple Nickels in a ceremony recognizing Black veterans' service.
The Atlanta City Council used its Feb. 17 meeting to honor several longtime civic servants and veterans, issuing proclamations for Lucy M. Sharp and for surviving members of the Montford Point Marines and the 550th Parachute Infantry Battalion (the Triple Nickels).
Lucy M. Sharp, a volunteer at the Governor’s Mansion and a longtime community volunteer and educator, received a proclamation from the city and an acknowledgment from Fulton County Commissioner Khadijah Abdul‑Rahman for her decades of civic work. Sharp, who worked at Lockheed Martin for 30 years and now volunteers in Atlanta Public Schools, thanked the council and reflected on mentors including the late C.T. Martin.
The council also recognized James Pack, age 101 according to presenters, and Ambassador Theodore R. Bridal Jr., age 99, as two surviving Montford Point Marines. The Montford Point Marines representative described the Montford Point legacy — roughly 20,000 African American men trained at the segregated Montford Point Camp during World War II — and said, “Our goal is to find all of these heroes and recognize either them or their families so they finally receive the gratitude of a grateful nation.” The council proclaimed days honoring both Pack and Bridal and announced plans to work with the Montford Point Marine Association on a street‑naming proposal and to host the National Montford Point Marines Association convention in Atlanta in July 2025.
Councilmember Jason Dozier read proclamations recognizing the 550th Parachute Infantry Battalion (Triple Nickels), an all‑Black Army airborne unit formed in 1943 that fought wildfires and performed specialized parachute missions in World War II. Dozier told the veterans the city would “not let your stories fade,” and said the city intended to honor their history with official recognition.
Why it matters: The proclamations highlight the city’s role in recognizing veterans from historically excluded units and raise plans for further memorialization, including possible street namings and hosting a national convention.
Ending: Recipients and their families joined councilmembers for photographs and a reception after the ceremony.
