Happy Independence Day weekend! For us, it’s a nice, extended one, and I am thrilled with all the events occurring in our very musical and very patriotic part of the South. What better way to ring in July 4 than by giving a spotlight to one of our veterans who fought for the freedoms we hold so dear? This week’s Feel-Good Friday does just that.

Joe Harris is an Army veteran who was part of the storied Buffalo Soldiers. The United States Army National Museum website speaks to their level of excellence, incredible range, and bravery.

After the Civil War, the U.S. government struggled to find a place for its Black troops in a smaller postwar Army. In 1866, the Army decided to form the 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments to replace the U.S. Colored Troops. Black Americans, many Civil War Veterans and former slaves, signed up to join these regiments. At one point, these Black regiments comprised almost one fifth of the Army. These four regiments distinguished themselves during Westward Expansion—where they became known as “Buffalo Soldiers”—and Spanish-American War. Despite their performance, a nation struggling with racism failed to properly acknowledge their excellence for decades. The Buffalo Soldiers laid the groundwork for the advancement of Black Soldiers while leaving a lasting impact on the Army and society.

These units had many permutations and changes, in and out of integration, for almost 100 years. The Triple Nickles was one permutation, and Joe Harris was a part of this elite unit named after the Buffalo Nickel. The Triple Nickles were the first Black parachute infantry battalion and saw combat as well as fought fires. After World War II, when President Harry S. Truman desegregated the armed services, the Triple Nickles morphed into the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division, the first integrated combat unit.

After leaving the armed services, Joe Harris settled in the community of Compton in Southern California. He has made it his home for 60 years, becoming an elder statesman within the neighborhood. Last week, Harris turned 107, and his family, as well as the neighborhood, came together to celebrate not only an honorable life but a lengthy one.

🎉 Happy birthday! 🎉 It's not every day you get to meet a centenarian – not to mention someone who has reached 107! 🥳

Veteran and beloved Compton resident Joe Harris just hit that milestone and celebrated with a neighborhood block party. 🎂🎈 https://t.co/4FVFgNUVlm pic.twitter.com/IxSVLZjt0i

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 27, 2023

“The party was wonderful for the block. We have not seen our family or he has not seen his nieces and nephews in four years due to the pandemic of course, and today was a very enjoyable wonderful day,” said Harris’s daughter, Tanya Pittman.

His birthday included cake and champagne, family and friends.

Harris is revered as a veteran who has a long history of serving his country. He was part of the Buffalo Soldiers, and then was a member of the triple nickel paratrooper unit, which was the first African American paratroop unit in the US Army.

This is the way. Honoring not only a lengthy life but a life of service to his country and his community. This is the history we should be hearing about, not the nonsense currently being spoon-fed to our children. Freedom isn’t free, and it is the sacrifice made by men like Joe Harris which allows us the continued freedom to have a weekend of celebration, barbeque, fireworks, and revelry.

What a wonderful thing that his family and the community chose to celebrate with cake, champagne, and enough revelry that a 107-year-old man could handle, all in his honor.

However you celebrate, have a Happy and safe 4th of July!