MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Vice President Kamala Harris visited Alabama to commemorate the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday Mar. 6, 2022 in Selma, Alabama.
On Mar. 7th, 1965, civil rights protesters marched 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery for voter equality rights. However, they were stopped mid-march, beaten and tear gassed on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, thus the day become known as Bloody Sunday.
Air Force Two arrived and departed from Maxwell Air Force base with support from the 42nd Air Base Wing.
“It was an incredible honor to welcome Vice President Harris to Maxwell Air Force Base,” said Lieutenant General James Hecker, President and Commander, Air University. “As always, the 42d Air base Wing was ready and executed a world-class visit. They rose to the occasion and ensured a smooth arrival and departure integrating with the City of Montgomery and the Vice President’s advance teams.”
Before her departure, Harris extended her thanks on behalf of a grateful nation to Airmen, Guardians and their families, and recognized 10 exemplary Airmen from across Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex.
On behalf of the women and men of Maxwell Air Force Base, Lieutenant General Hecker and Colonel Mentzer presented Vice President Harris with a model of the Maxwell Air Force Base Rosa Parks Sculpture to commemorate her visit.
“Maxwell Air Force Base changed Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks changed Montgomery, Alabama. Montgomery, Alabama changed America, paving the path for greater equal opportunity for all Americans. We are humbled to present Vice President Harris with a symbol of the Maxwell Air Force Base and City of Montgomery shared history to serve as a continued inspiration of the work that remains to achieve liberty and justice for all,” said Colonel Eries L.G. Mentzer, 42d Air Base Wing Commander.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan joined the vice president for the annual event in Selma which included a symbolic walk across the bridge.