Dr Bill Tinglin speaks to how racial and religious hatred led to the Nazi death camps and those American soldiers of color who helped liberate those camps carried those searing images the rest of their lives. (Photo: Museum of American Armor)

Museum of American Armor observes Black History Month with special program

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 The Long Island Times

Educators, students and war veterans gathered at The Museum of American Armor in Old Bethpage this week for a special program to observe Black History Month.

Surrounded by operational World War II tanks, an audience of about 125 people learned about how the birth of the modern American civil rights movement was sparked by the nation’s entry into World War II.

Dr. Lorna Lewis, a pioneer educator who became the first woman of color to preside over the New York State Council of School Superintendents, led the discussion.

“We are living in a moment when some would prefer that our students learn a version of America that is easy, uncomplicated and unchallenged. But history — real history — is not meant to comfort us. It is meant to teach us,” Lewis said. “It is meant to sharpen our moral judgment. It is meant to remind us of who we have been so we can decide what we must become.”

Academy Student Signs — Students from Academy Charter School affix their names to a copy of President Truman’s executive order integrating the American military. (Photo: Museum of American Armor)

Lewis was joined by Colonel Jason Halloren (Ret.) former Deputy Commandant of West Point, Dr. Bill Tinglin, students from The Charter Academy School, and members of the Long Island Jewish War Veterans who attended in a show of solidarity against bigotry and prejudice.

“We gather to honor African American History Month — a time not only to reflect on struggle, but more to recognize service, courage, and enduring contributions to our nation,” Halloren said. “Few chapters reflect that spirit more clearly than the story of African American soldiers during World War II and the transformation of our armed forces that followed.”

Tinglin is a leader in education and humanitarian advocacy who has made building bridges between African-American and Jewish communities through interviews with Holocaust survivors and Black elders as part of his life’s work.

“Black History Month reminds us that African American achievement is woven into the very fabric of American democracy,” he said. “But I submit to you…every day must be a recognition of our shared humanity. Every day must be a commitment to dignity. Every day must be a decision to stand on the side of justice.”

Academy Charter School students from Hempstead were asked to sign an enlargement of President Harry Truman’s executive order that integrated the American military in 1948.

The Museum of American Armor is located at 1303 Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage.

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