Daily Times

Americans are flocking to Washington for a whirlwind of inaugural balls and sumptuous dining experiences. The powerful craving for need-to-be-seen celebrity will raise the festivities to gale force winds of delusion. But eternity crooks her finger to us all. Rapid ascents to power carry less weight than a lifetime of influence used for the common good. I am fortunate to share a friendship with a most remarkable man. His gifts are distributed throughout the military community. Talent and character put to good use are the measure of this man.

James McEachin strode onto the stage at The Kennedy Center on July 29, 2008. By the end of the performance, he had found a place in my heart. This was the first time for me to meet Mr McEachin. After the performance, he joined the attendees on the terrace for an opening night reception for ‘Above the Call, Beyond the Duty’. With a photographer at hand, many people dropped both their drinks and polite cocktail chatter to form a queue for a photo opportunity. I intentionally stood back to examine the emotional pulse of the guest of honour. This man so honoured the attendees that faces literally glowed. One man muscled his way back into the queue for additional shots with the actor. He exhibited the posture of a classic narcissist. James presented as the humble man who remembered his roots. Grandeur is a pastel adornment; humility provides the deeper hue of character.

Cast your gaze back to the Korean Conflict. As part of the 24th US Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (King Company), James McEachin has a macabre distinction of war. He was one of only two survivors when his military party was ambushed. After sustaining multiple combat wounds, he was carried many miles by another young soldier to a place of safety. And 50 years later, he was awarded his medals for valour.

What did James McEachin accomplish between the war and the intervening years prior to heeding the call to duty for a second time? He is a man who knows the value of a hard day’s work. He is a man of arts and letters. The media packet I requested is 50 pages in length. It reminded me of the salient features of his career. The first page reads as follows: “An Old Soldier — A New Mission” Silver Star, (multiple wound) Purple Heart, Veteran of the Korean War, Accomplished Actor, Award Winning Author, United States Army Reserve Ambassador (Emeritus), Keynote Speaker, Patriot. The media kit leaves out a most important aspect of Jim’s character. He has a gift for being an exemplary friend. I looked down at my own hands. What have I accomplished? How can I be more like this man who flashes a ready smile to all who cross his path?

James McEachin was the first black American man to have his own television series with NBC (Tenafly). He has performed alongside Clint Eastwood, Sidney Poitier and other well-known actors. His books, audio productions and film shorts have earned national recognition. The press kit is an archive. But when I kissed his cheek at a reception in Fort Worth, it was an affirmation of his flesh and blood, warm and friendly, comfortable in his own skin. The man has class. He has a distinct dignity.

McEachin cares deeply about issues. A sense of concern caused his creativity to transition from actor to writer during the 1990s. He is a tireless advocate for the veteran community. His first novel, Farewell to the Mockingbirds, is based on a sad chapter in American history. McEachin’s research allows us a glimpse of the largest trial and court martial convened in US military history. The setting is at the outset of World War I in 1917. We were a nation that was cautiously moving toward integration. There was still intense debate as to whether a ‘coloured man’ was fit for duty. Confirmation bias was a creed within the ranks of white military officers. A battalion from the 24th US Infantry Regiment (Coloured) — 645 men — were assigned to a post in Houston, Texas. The rest of the story is to be found within the pages of a book that moves carefully and slowly at first. It crescendos with a depiction of the hanging of a black man. It ends, with the haunting hanging death of the many. The occasional use of distinct colloquial English may be difficult for readers with a weak grasp of the language. But within context, the story will be easily captured.

In 2005, this vibrant soldier heeded the call to duty again. James became an Army Reserve Ambassador, a position with a protocol rank of a two-star general. Not one to be enamoured with himself, he immediately put his gifts to work on behalf of the veteran community.

It was a pleasure to receive an early copy of the script for Old Glory, a 22-minute film short, which was written, produced and directed by my friend. I rejoiced with him when it was submitted to the G I Film Festival and received an award as the Best Film Short of 2007.

Perhaps the greatest contribution to the veteran community is Mr McEachin’s one man, one act play, Above the Call; Beyond the Duty. Can any of us imagine being on stage with minimal props delivering a monologue that is approximately 1.5 hours in length? There is little need for props when the rich baritone of Mr McEachin beckons our imagination. I have been privileged to see my wonderful friend perform on two nationally recognised stages and at a regional production studio. For many years, I have been the recipient of the unique wisdom and humane posture of this great American man.

Lieutenant General Vincent Brooks, Commanding Officer, Third Army stated, “He is a national treasure…” For me, James receives the most honourable title that I can bestow on any man: friend.

The writer is a freelance journalist and author of the novel Arsenal. She can be reached at tammyswof@msn.com