thedrifter
09-06-05, 07:56 AM
UNCW film documents Montford Point history
September 06,2005
TIMMI TOLER View stories by reporter
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Their story began more than 60 years ago, but only recently have they had the chance to tell it.
A documentary on the legacy of the Montford Point Marines is nearing completion; and by Christmas, a rough cut of the film could be available for viewing.
Melton McLaurin, professor emeritus at University of North Carolina at Wilmington and writer and director of the Montford Point Marines documentary, said filming began for the project in 2000. McLaurin and his documentary staff have completed more than 60 interviews with original Montford Point Marines.
"The interviews were about 40 to 45 minutes in length," said McLaurin. "We have more than 3,000 minutes to view."
It will be up to McLaurin to determine what will be included in the hour-long documentary that focuses on the legacy of the Montford Point Marines.
During World War II, nearly 20,000 black Marines trained at Montford Point for service and were to be discharged after the war to keep the Marine Corps an all-white organization. Stellar service from these Marines soon changed attitudes allowing them to continue service. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued an order negating segregation in the military; and a year later, Montford Marine Camp was deactivated. In 1974, the camp was renamed Camp Johnson, in honor of Sgt. Maj. Gilbert H. "Hashmark" Johnson, one of the first blacks to join the Corps. Johnson was a drill instructor and a World War II and Korean War veteran.
McLaurin said each Montford Pointer interviewed for the documentary was asked a specific set of questions about their background, their experience with segregation, combat service and service after the war.
"They were also asked a legacy question," said McLaurin. "We asked them to think about how their service impacted their lives and the lives of others."
McLaurin, who has written extensively on race relations and the history of the South, said the documentary will contain four components: narratives from original Montford Pointers, an original musical score, visual imagery and overall narration.
In addition to the documentary, the project will also include a Web site, created and maintained by UNCW, dedicated to the Montford Point Marines. The oral histories of the 60-plus interviews will be transcribed and available on the site.
The Department of Defense is funding the documentary. In July, Congress approved $500,000 for the endeavor. UNCW is working with South Carolina State University and the Montford Point Marines Museum on the project.
McLaurin said the finished documentary will be completed by March 2006.
Finney Greggs, Montford Point Museum director, said the documentary will help preserve an important part of American history.
"This will provide an opportunity for people around the world to learn about a group of men that have been in obscurity since the late '70s," said Finney. "It will bring their story to the forefront."
McLaurin hopes the documentary will mean the story of the Montford Point Marines will always be told.
"It will bring the Montford Point Marines to the attention of a broader and, with the Web site, hopefully an international audience," said McLaurin. "It will create an archive that always will be there."
Ellie
September 06,2005
TIMMI TOLER View stories by reporter
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Their story began more than 60 years ago, but only recently have they had the chance to tell it.
A documentary on the legacy of the Montford Point Marines is nearing completion; and by Christmas, a rough cut of the film could be available for viewing.
Melton McLaurin, professor emeritus at University of North Carolina at Wilmington and writer and director of the Montford Point Marines documentary, said filming began for the project in 2000. McLaurin and his documentary staff have completed more than 60 interviews with original Montford Point Marines.
"The interviews were about 40 to 45 minutes in length," said McLaurin. "We have more than 3,000 minutes to view."
It will be up to McLaurin to determine what will be included in the hour-long documentary that focuses on the legacy of the Montford Point Marines.
During World War II, nearly 20,000 black Marines trained at Montford Point for service and were to be discharged after the war to keep the Marine Corps an all-white organization. Stellar service from these Marines soon changed attitudes allowing them to continue service. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued an order negating segregation in the military; and a year later, Montford Marine Camp was deactivated. In 1974, the camp was renamed Camp Johnson, in honor of Sgt. Maj. Gilbert H. "Hashmark" Johnson, one of the first blacks to join the Corps. Johnson was a drill instructor and a World War II and Korean War veteran.
McLaurin said each Montford Pointer interviewed for the documentary was asked a specific set of questions about their background, their experience with segregation, combat service and service after the war.
"They were also asked a legacy question," said McLaurin. "We asked them to think about how their service impacted their lives and the lives of others."
McLaurin, who has written extensively on race relations and the history of the South, said the documentary will contain four components: narratives from original Montford Pointers, an original musical score, visual imagery and overall narration.
In addition to the documentary, the project will also include a Web site, created and maintained by UNCW, dedicated to the Montford Point Marines. The oral histories of the 60-plus interviews will be transcribed and available on the site.
The Department of Defense is funding the documentary. In July, Congress approved $500,000 for the endeavor. UNCW is working with South Carolina State University and the Montford Point Marines Museum on the project.
McLaurin said the finished documentary will be completed by March 2006.
Finney Greggs, Montford Point Museum director, said the documentary will help preserve an important part of American history.
"This will provide an opportunity for people around the world to learn about a group of men that have been in obscurity since the late '70s," said Finney. "It will bring their story to the forefront."
McLaurin hopes the documentary will mean the story of the Montford Point Marines will always be told.
"It will bring the Montford Point Marines to the attention of a broader and, with the Web site, hopefully an international audience," said McLaurin. "It will create an archive that always will be there."
Ellie