Celebrating Service, Community, and Legacy
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Unknown Speaker 0:49
Good morning Las Vegas, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I am Dave Washington, your host. I appreciate with getting me plugged in here for this particular show. And I mean, you know, you guys said yeah, you're always saying you're excited. Well, I'm excited again, to have my health still being restored, if you will. And I certainly want to take time to acknowledge all the graduating high school and college folks, because I know you put in time and effort and slowly I certainly want to also salute those families who encouraged and stood by their, their students, their child or uncle, their nephew, whomever it is, may have been going through high school or college to get those degrees. We are grateful for your assistance to them. And I certainly want to give a special acknowledgement acknowledgement to my grandson, KJ Herndon. He is a good student athlete KJ is a great basketball player. But he also did some work. And I think he's number five in the whole state for his 400 meter hurdles. So KJ congratulations, young man, and we trust that you will be getting yourself to school somewhere. So just wanted to acknowledge those. And in terms of friendship, once again, as folks know that I've been going through this particular medical issue, I can tell you that there's a couple of fellows who are dear friends of mine. They want to do these every six weeks or so. We know every three weeks or so we do a lunch or breakfast. That's Eugene Campbell, and Lionel Charles. And today we had BOB HUGGINS are one of my work colleagues to join us and but I'm really appreciative of these guys, they get together we break bread, and then they little do a little prayer on my behalf to, again seeking total restoration of my health. So I just want those guys and all others around the country who continue to make contact with me to tell me about what they're doing and my interest in terms of prayer. So, once again, thank you, I would be remiss if I didn't say something about Memorial Day coming up. And let us not forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, you know, their lives for us, as American citizens. So salute to the veterans who are no longer with us their ancestors now, but we know that they have family members that we want them to know that we have not forgotten about them. So salute to you. Oh, with that I'm going to bring in the commander of the post that I'm a member of. And that's Commander Jeff Jones, American Legion posting. I don't commander
Unknown Speaker 3:35
doing good day. It's good to talk to you again.
Unknown Speaker 3:37
Yes, sir. Well, you know, I always try to get in touch with you or either Tony Marshall, who was our service officer, just to bring us up to speed. I know you got a lot of projects going on to include I understand you have a new auxilary president over here. And her name is what, Commander
Unknown Speaker 3:55
Colleen Thomas.
Unknown Speaker 3:56
She is the new auxilary. President.
Unknown Speaker 4:00
Yes, she is. I'm looking forward to work with her. She's very energetic and a couple of projects that we've already worked together on and have been successful and looking forward to doing more. Oh, great.
Unknown Speaker 4:11
So I will hopefully be able to make contact through I think that's Maurices wife yesterday. Yeah, I'll make contact because we'll get her some airtime to just talk about, you know, her new position and anything that she may be embarking upon in the interests of the veterans over the past 10. So give us an update command and what's going on in your world and so we can inform our listening audience.
Unknown Speaker 4:40
Well, Dave, you know, we always been talking about doing a facelift here and special projects and self help. But between myself and the new president, we were able to get a photo to Tropicana hotel, and we went down and purchased some furnitures and things that we need it so we kind of get it all the way old furniture and things that went here. They were kind of piecemeal. And we now have all matching furniture and chairs and it looks very nice to him now that that in some equipment for the kitchen for ice and things like that, that the purchase of new equipment to Tropicana, so we did take advantage of that liquidation sale.
Unknown Speaker 5:21
Great, great. Yeah, nothing like him. It's a mix, match things be the furniture, or what have you. So, got it all, kind of like under one umbrella in terms of what it looks like. So that's great. What else is going on commander
Unknown Speaker 5:37
in Florida, as you had mentioned, this is coming up on Memorial Day weekend. And what we normally do here is, we joined together with VFW Post 2198, new beta five military fraternity Incorporated, and Phillip Bell Lodge number five, and we go out to the cemetery, and we placed flags on the grave sites of all the veterans in that cemetery is over three 400 flags that we put out. So we got to keep that going. We also look into come back over this way, do some self help, I try to get a view involved with the youth here as far as sponsorship goes, but either one of the baseball teams or football teams here to try to get them a little work over here. So we are working things to help us clean up over here to get the younger legs and thanks. And they can be out there and bend over where we can make a donation to that group and help them on with our jerseys or whatever else that they need to fund for.
Unknown Speaker 6:44
Right. I think that's excellent. Because you know what? One thing I truly believe and I know my wife will say, yeah, he's into that. I think young people need to learn how to work because some don't have a clue. And I think for them to come around the posts and do some cleanup work, I think it'd be good for him. Because I've just believe when you're young and you're willing to work or learn to work, it helps to build character. So we commend you guys for doing that. And certainly you wish you will on that project. So keep up the good work commander, what else is going on that you want to share with our listening audience?
Unknown Speaker 7:21
Well, the summertime is coming around. And the different projects that the American Legion as a whole has for us to do we want to do that. But again, we always reaching out to the community. We want to start again, trying to get food access to the community here. We have avenues to get food and we can donate a few to distribute it to the community. And again with the Halton area here and the project area here working with another group that we can have some ice cream socials, for the kids and things like that. Because that's the one thing we want to get out of and really touches our youth and our know that there's a whole lot more going on over here than what is said in the streets. So we want to do that. You know,
Unknown Speaker 8:09
I think that's an excellent idea. And part of my life I grew up right there. In that project on Weaver Street, we just call it the circle.
Unknown Speaker 8:19
Okay. Again, like I said, our main thing is getting outside of these walls here, you know, our activities that we have throughout the week. We have a karaoke now on Wednesday nights. But Tasha point oh, and that's been really going very well. You know, a lot of people that follow her, but a lot of people I know that sang karaoke that I know in the military, they come through so that's a very good night to come by and say some program going on, other than just a regular DJ music, but once you nice, a real good night to come by. Okay. Part of that. So
Unknown Speaker 8:59
what that does a karaoke start command.
Unknown Speaker 9:03
She starts at seven and ends at nine. Okay, great. Sounds
Unknown Speaker 9:08
like some place to go out there to you veterans. And if you're like me, you stay away from the karaoke. Because my wife always tells me you think you can sing. You used to be able to sing, but it's gone. So give it up. That's great.
Unknown Speaker 9:24
Oh, no records over here. We just tried to bring some joy to share that with people.
Unknown Speaker 9:29
No, that's excellent. Excellent. So you, congratulations, I should say you just was reelected to what a third term?
Unknown Speaker 9:39
Yes. Yes. I appreciate the competence that the members here have for me. Like I said, I'm not one of those people that say I'm disappointed you know, if I say I'm gonna do something I stand behind and I try to push as much as I can. And but we did go out of town a couple of months ago to Arizona to interpret was meeting where they had about eight different posts there. And I had 20 followers from Vegas 20 members, follow me down there. So like I said, it's good to go somewhere to represent whatever you're representing as far as my case to the post, and to have 20 people come from Vegas to support, you know, that made me feel good. And, again, they kind of like to change the deposit changes we're doing around here. And so they keep me around again another year. And we see what we can do this year to, like I said, for the benefit of all. All right,
Unknown Speaker 10:36
well, that's excellent. We'll certainly commend you. And congratulations once again, on this a third term. And I believe those are two year terms.
Unknown Speaker 10:45
Not one year, one year. Yes. Oh,
Unknown Speaker 10:48
well, that's that's. So as far as continuity. The second bias is there. Would there be second bites under you? What is the title for the person that would be second to you in command at the post?
Unknown Speaker 11:01
Yes. Second base is Jimmy yogurt. He stayed deposition also.
Unknown Speaker 11:06
Okay, great. All right. Well, congrats. And I will continue to come down and participate as much as I can. But I know that you've been doing a great job. And we will continue to encourage you as well as participate in some of the activities that you guys embark upon. So once again, congratulations, Commander, Jeff Jones, American Legion Post 10. Was our guest today. So thank you again, Commander.
Unknown Speaker 11:30
Thank you again, David. You know, our prayers are always with you. And like I said, just keep us informed. We don't want to be harming you on anything. But like I said, prayers are always with you, my brother. Yes, sir.
Unknown Speaker 11:42
Thank you. And thank you again. All right. Once again, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on any 1.5, jazz and more. On the other side, we'll have Mr. Romeo Spalding. He was a fourth president of the International Association of Black professional firefighters. And I asked him to become a to come on the show, because we're inducting him into our wall of honor at our website, it's car homes. it.org. I believe it is by I'll make sure I get that right to share that information. But soon he'll be going on it. So on the other side, we'll be coming back with Mr. Williams.
Unknown Speaker 12:26
Good morning. Once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host and as I mentioned early on, and how excited I was when people say oh, you're always saying you're excited. Well, I'm very excited because this is the fourth president of the International Association of Black professional firefighters. Mr. Romeo Spalding. How're you doing? Brother Romeo?
Unknown Speaker 12:49
I'm doing quite well. Dave, how you doing
Unknown Speaker 12:51
tonight? Doing okay, you doing okay. And I think thank you for sending me those scriptures to me to help me move toward better health. So with that, I'd like you to share with our listening audience give a little bit background on yourself particularly as far as family is concerned.
Unknown Speaker 13:07
As I'm originally from a place called Lakeville, North Carolina. I have eight siblings. In my family. I was a number to my head older brother. I graduated high school. There's contained I left that area and entered Howard University and I started there did a number of other things as I was matriculating and then of course, working at the same time to pay my tuition to get and of course, that led me up until 1962. When I decided errored, and I got married in 62. And my wife and I were together for 52 years, we had five kids and raised five nieces and nephews and passed away a little over 10 and a half years ago. So that's to the family.
Unknown Speaker 13:58
Right. So you came from down south, you went to school at Howard. And then when did you join the fire department? Approximately?
Unknown Speaker 14:07
October 1965. Okay.
Unknown Speaker 14:10
All right. And how many years did you sir?
Unknown Speaker 14:14
At 26 and years and 10 months.
Unknown Speaker 14:16
So what positions Did you hold during it during your tenure?
Unknown Speaker 14:21
Yeah, from firefighter. We had officer right was Sergeant. We were we had technician, firefighter technician, Sergeant, Lieutenant captain.
Unknown Speaker 14:32
And you held several of those positions during your 26 plus years with the department
Unknown Speaker 14:39
as the last five years as captain. Okay, so,
Unknown Speaker 14:43
now you were the fourth president. What years did you serve the IAB pff?
Unknown Speaker 14:51
Well, I started serving I knew about the IDPF actually activity started a little in 1976 When I wasn't able to go to San Diego, it had to renew in America convention. And then of course, in 78, I started working with the progressive Firefighters Association of Washington, DC, which of those chapter and there began to see what was happening and listen to what was going on with the International from that point on, I was there from the beginning. We sent delegates, New York in 1969. And then we sent delegates to Hartford in 1970.
Unknown Speaker 15:30
Wow, that's a nice stretch of time. And you know, something that you and I have in common, both from big families, there was a family of children were seven of us, I was second eldest of eight. I mean of seven, and you were eight, and you were second eldest man life. You never know what God puts in store for you. In fact, our family moved here to Las Vegas for work. So what do you feel was some of your your your major accomplishments during your tenure as as the President?
Unknown Speaker 16:02
Well, I started, actually, my chapter encouraged me to run for financial secretary in 1980. And that was in Detroit, Michigan, and when they when I was questioned about my philosophy, and what, you know, I thought that that's when de Florida Charlie Hendrix came and said, Look, no, you didn't when you did that, but we can't lose you. We want to do to represent us in Washington, DC. So I then came back. And they at that time, Dave had just been given a seat on the Joint Council, National Fire Service Organizations. So you asked what the organization there. But what I did is I came back and look at what we do in Washington, DC. And so I began to put together and I wrote the strategy for the national legislative liaison, and set that and get that position approved. And I served in that position from them up until actually 1998. Even though I was selected Vice President, you know, search quickly for that river, and then making ADH who's miscues, Ada, I was elected president, international, served until 1996, which was eight years. I didn't want to break down floors record. Well, I served 10 years, today was a good thing. Yeah. And then I served eight years, to serve that length of time as president. So the international. So what I did there was to not only get the international established on a national level, but also got the first international office up and running and operational. So we became not only functional with the national office, but it also dealing with the legislative issues that were affecting firefighters. And so that led to a lot of areas that we were trying to help other chapters across the country dealing with the legal issues that they were facing, and challenges within the fire service. But at the same time, I was engaged in developing a strategy for a case in Washington DC, which was Hammond case. And then that case, we want it. We were fighting against the city and also the labor organization, the IFF, after it came against us with the city, where we still prevail. And out of that we were able to change the complexion of what was happening in the department. We changed recruiting because we will establish a cadet program. The cadet program concept was first discussed in New York City in 1970. That was talking about some of the things that need to be put in place to try to change recruitment. And so it took us 17 years but was able to get one effectuated in Washington DC. And as we put it in place, we not only got to cadet program that was hovering individuals out of the city of DC Alder schools. We also set up where they could go to college and get a free college education at the same time, studying fire science and other related disciplines. But they can master in another discipline, but they had to take fire science courses. We had quite enough that graduated that they're not only associates, but the DSM got the masters and other degrees as a result of that program. So we changed it. We changed the department from from around 20% within the HR department because we came up multiple quota. When I left when I retired from the department and it 90 to 80% of the officer rank in the department was black 70% of the firefighter rank in the department of black.
Unknown Speaker 19:48
And DC at that time was highly populated by African Americans. Am I correct? Correct. Yeah, you have quite a quite a list of accomplishments and one that I'm aware of in new and dear to my heart is the Carl Holmes executive development institute EDI. And I have mentioned to many, and I'll mention it here on the air that Mr. Romeo spalling. fourth president, although the IABP FF will be inducted into our virtual wall of honor coming up, I believe it'd be on June 6 on the campus of Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. So we are proud of you, brother. And we were so grateful that you planted the seed in the head of Dr. Carl Holmes, and others who helped to bring that program online.
Unknown Speaker 20:38
So thank you, because that actually started back in 78. As I've listened, and began to reach out and touch bases with individuals, to see what they're thinking, and just sort of try to put things together in the form of training that I actually worked to get done was actually I graduated from the National Staffing command school and I got the fire chief for the District of Columbia police department at that time to allow me to come and train the entire executive staff of the department is made one no one had ever done, or so he agreed. And I brought in experts and we did a management training for the entire executive staff, including the fire chief additional qualified emergency service department. I was a firefighter at the time assigned to Company Number 15.
Unknown Speaker 21:25
Let me let me stop you right here because this is something that me and Herschel Clady deceased brother always used to talk about people talk about when I get to this rank NO, YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU made things happen at the rank of firefight. And I keep telling people don't wait, because you got me now give me the time that you're thinking, he may have another time for your demise from this earth and you transition to it ancestor. So I'm proud of that brother. Because, again, this is another affirmation to me, when I encourage people to whatever position you hold within the fire service or any other profession, if you can help to affect change for the good. God will bless you guys.
Unknown Speaker 22:08
Even beyond that, because there are a lot of things to do as black firefighters working together. When I tell people what we did to get the Martin Luther King holiday bill pass, most people didn't realize that I actually wrote the strategy for John Conyers, to try to how we could get the bill passed. I was working with Stevie Wonder where his lawyer priests Acropolis Chicago, at whenever they decided I was at that time assigned or appointed to the National Black leadership roundtable. They agreed and they allowed me to work with waterfront or cook Coretta Scott King Jesse Hill, to put together the 20th anniversary march on Washington, which led to the passing of the bill. And from that the back firefighters, internet chaser black firefighters had the responsibility of all the VIPs for that particularly occasion. Excellent.
Unknown Speaker 22:59
Well, you have done some great work, bro, the president. So tell me what, what thoughts would you have in terms of our lack of African Americans in particular joining the fire service in these Department of Labor numbers, we in 1998, our numbers were like 1990 95 to 90, as I recall where we were at 15%. We're down now to seven 8%. Here we are in 2024. Any thoughts in terms of how we can increase that number?
Unknown Speaker 23:32
Oh, yes, well, actually, I have to look at what's been happening to change the mindset. Because back whenever I was stepping away from the my activity, you know, MBA BPFs, were very active. I indicated to them at that time we had reached a crescendo was what we were blacks were coming into the fire service. And what was going to happen there was that the numbers are going to initiate because we were being circled, the wagon was being circled. And when we look up 25 years from now, not only will our numbers be reduced, but we will be dealing with the same issue that we were fighting for back then this was me talking about looking down the road. So what I have is that you have a culture that has been incubated within this country that has not only affected the fire service, but it affects the black community as a whole. And so when you began to look at that, you will see that it's very difficult to get what I call, blacks come together to get fight and strive, like was happening in the mid 50s. And the 60s, you know, dealing with civil rights, right. And there's a reason for that. Because when you began to look at it, most times blacks will be challenged about this issue about racism, because they have been to school sitting beside the white counterparts, not understanding that they're not getting an equal education because they're sitting beside them. But there's research being communicated to that. There is no discrimination because you You hear that and, you know, the different other kinds of things. But where the where the big picture is mission is that the racist issues that are affecting black America is institutionalized within the corporate structure within the laws that govern, right and even on the Hill Congress, those are the things where that was built in. That hasn't changed. Just to give an example, even with the constitution of United States, when you look at the original language, and what was stated that there were, we were only two thirds were human, that was in the Constitution, United States. So we had taken care of women could not vote, there had to be things. So the Constitution was a work in progress. And we began to country and look at what happened when you when they were talking about slavery, abolishing slavery, most miscommunicated, because most people did not understand that the white slave owners were compensated or by the federal government, they were paid the VAT, all the slaves that they were supposed to have freed. Now, what happened is that during the first few years of reconstruction, the Union armies were in the south making sure that blacks had the opportunity, you know, to, to grow economically and what happened. But when they pulled out as a result of what happened, then that's when you had the Ku Klux Klan, and all of these different things that was going on with Jim Crow laws, and all this, all that's bad. So that affects in education and the factors they were now where all of this has been incubating in this country, which a lot of people don't understand is in the churches, and churches of America, because that's where it started. And that's where it that was a part of why the Civil War will happen. But the interesting thing is that when the Civil War was, was concluded, and we say we won, it wasn't there was compromise, the compromise was was done, and you had things that's why you had the issues that were still going on in the south, that never retreated, never was corrected, the church situation has never been corrected. And so the black church is a racist thing that have been incubated with any church. And then one thing for that they have been able to talk, communicate with blacks to try to say, you know, you need to be godly, you need to be this and you shouldn't be that no, what you need to do is look and see what the Word says. You look at what as it calls for a different type of action, and everything. But the big picture is that after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, most people don't know, there was a concerted effort put together in this country to bring together black leaders motors, all over the country. And the goal was established 500 National Black organizations. And the strategy behind that in the psychology was that we as a people would never be able to come together, as was happening during the Civil Rights Movement. Brother Roamio.
Unknown Speaker 27:53
You know, we got about a half a minute left, you know, I'm gonna have to get you back on you have a wealth of knowledge about history in this country. And it's very interesting. I think it's worth sharing with everyone. But I need you to make some closing remarks if you would, and we'll get you back on the show because I look forward in fact, to seeing you at the ceremony in June, and congratulation once again, going on to our virtual wall of honor.
Unknown Speaker 28:19
Thank you so very much and thank you for your effort to cause that to happen. It was my honor to be able to serve you International and to serve my fellow firefighters. Black firefighters that way not only that, but the poor women up especially black women within the Forest Service. And one of the young ladies that is now the system fire chief of Las Vegas is a product of our cadet program. She came to be a physicist prodigy from DC and now she is a certified people Las Vegas that shows you what we were looking at when we saw these young people. All right.
Unknown Speaker 28:51
Ladies and gentlemen of Veterans Affairs show 91.5 Jazz and more. We just heard the wisdom from our former president, the fourth president of the International Association of Black professional firefighters. Mr. Romeo Sparling. Thank you Romeo. Appreciate you and see you soon.
Unknown Speaker 29:07
Thank you so very much. You have a blessed day now.
Unknown Speaker 29:09
Thanks. That's just affairs plus on any 1.5 Jazz and more will talk to you next weekend. Thank you so much for your participation and listening to the show.
Outro Song 29:50
Smoke in the cylinder Hey, when they step on the way
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
