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4 Minuteman Winter 2008 Gov. Patrick and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Massachusetts Edward Masterman present the Legion of Merit to Maj. Gen. Carter. (Photo: Sgt. James Lally) By Maj. Lisa Ahaesy, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs The sound of the cannons could be heard clear across Boston Common. Followed by the signal – an exchanged salute on the opposite sides of Beacon Street – a 13-gun cannon salute was fired by Massachusetts National Guard canoneers from the 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment. The custom firing of a cannon salute is a symbolic display of respect and trust. It set the stage for this historical day, but not due to its location or the fact that the 101st Field Artillery Regiment is the oldest serving artillery regiment in the United States Army. It was the day Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter made Massachusetts history – again – as the new adjutant general. “Becoming the first black general in Massachusetts is an honor, but becoming the first black adjutant general is a distinct honor,” said Mr. Leonid E. Kondratiuk, Massachusetts National Guard’s director of historical services. According to Kondratiuk, the first African American Soldier joined the Massachusetts National Guard in 1643. “General Carter’s appointment is a logical culmination of the long service of the men and women who have served proudly before him,” he said. A ceremony, held in the state House, immediately followed the cannon salute. Every seat in the House of Representatives chambers was filled, including the balcony, the aisles and all available standing room along the walls. Well-wishers spilled out into the hall where the ceremony was broadcast on a satellite screen. Some wore police uniforms representing Carter’s long and distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement. Others wore military uniforms, from nearly every branch of service, representing
his 33 years in the Army National Guard. Many guests, including members of the public who came to witness history in the making, wore civilian attire. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Massachusetts Mr. Edward Masterman presented Carter with the Legion of Merit for exceptional meritorious service while serving as chairman of the Massachusetts National Guard Equal Opportunity and Diversity Committee. The Massachusetts National Guard’s senior field artilleryman, Brig. Gen. Thomas Sellars, presented Carter with a ceremonial howitzer shell as a token of the personal honors salute rendered to the new adjutant general on the Boston Common. The room rose to its feet and stood at attention as the ceremony’s presiding officer, Gov. Patrick, administered the oath of office, followed by the ceremonial passing of the colors, thus officially appointing Carter as the Massachusetts National Guard’s 41st adjutant general. Applause exploded and the audience jumped to its feet in a standing ovation as the narrator, Lt. Col. Sterling MacLeod, introduced Carter. “Ladies and gentlemen it is my distinct pleasure to introduce the adjutant general for Massachusetts, Major General Joseph Carter.” The applause continued for several minutes before Carter’s booming voice, filled with a mix of honor, modesty and full of promise, filled every inch of the House chambers. Carter thanked the men and women who served before him and made it possible for him to achieve his honored rank, “I must honor the sacrifices they made before me.” He also looked around the room and up into the balcony, and thanked everyone who took the time to share the day. He referenced a letter written in 1775, by then Gen. George Washington, our nation’s first military commander, “When we assume the role of Soldier – we do not lay aside the citizen. This is the very essence of the National Guard. We are servants of the people and this great commonwealth.” Carter’s voice was strong and loud, softening only when he publicly thanked his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Carter; his wife, Rae; and their daughter, Emily. Following the official ceremony, the general and his wife greeted each guest individually in the member’s lounge. The general’s mother, Betty Carter, stated she was sure her son would be a minister. “He loves people,” she said. “He was always helping people, especially the elderly, and enjoys being part of what is needed to be done. He’s a fantastic son. He has a great deal of respect and dignity. He cares about his family and he takes care of us all.” Mrs. Carter says she remembers when her son told her he was joining the Army. “I was nervous, but he said, ‘Mom, if I’m a good Soldier I can go to college.’” She smiled and said, “He was looking out for his two younger sisters, Miriam and Maria, as he always did for me.” Carter proved himself right, because he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Lesley College, a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Atlanta University, and a second master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College. “He’s a great son,” Clarence Carter said, “Even as a child he was always respectful. I am very-very-very proud of him.” To high school senior Emily, her dad, General Carter, is the “best dad ever.” Through a beaming smile she stated, “He’s the best dad. He’s fun and fun to be around.” To give the rest of us a glimpse of the other side of our top military leader, Emily says her dad is the best cook. “He makes great chicken parmesan. My dad never settles for anything, because it can always be better. I couldn’t ask for a better dad.” Rae Carter has been married to Carter for 25 years. “We are very proud of him,” she said, “He doesn’t change once he comes home. He’s a good man. He is who he is no matter who you are.” “It was an emotional day for me,” said Master Sgt. Helon Wiley, manager of the Massachusetts National Guard’s African American special emphasis program. “It is a very important day for all of us, but particularly for those of us of African descent. I look forward to serving with him and accomplishing good things together.” “As stated today, he’s part of a long legacy and another first for us; the 54th Regiment’s main motivation is to promote a history that is relevant to people all over the world of all ages and genders,” said Cpl. Emmet Bell- Sykes, president of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the oldest all-African American company formed in 1863 in New Bedford by Sgt. William H. Carney after escaping slavery by way of the Underground Railroad. “I think it’s great to see any good person, of sound moral and personal convictions, regardless of race or gender, achieve a distinct milestone such as this,” said Senior Master Sgt. Peter Johnson, recruiting & retention superintendent for the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Retired Maj. Gen. Wayne Wagner, the 37th adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, has some advice for the commonwealth’s newest leader, “Take care of the troops and make sure they have all they need. This goes without saying that Gen. Carter will do this with integrity.” Wagner served as the adjutant general from 1987 through 1993. He said his most rewarding moment as TAG was, “Seeing my troops come home safely following the first Gulf War. I wish the same for Gen. Carter.” Retired Brig. Gen. Julia J. Cleckley, former special assistant to the director, Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau said, “As the former chairman of the National Guard Diversity and Equal Opportunity Committee, Gen. Carter epitomizes the mission and role of that committee to embrace and appreciate diversity throughout the Guard. I am so proud of him. I speak throughout the country and I speak of General Carter as one of my heroes – as Massachusetts first African American general and I can now refer to him as the first African American adjutant general.” ✯ Maj. Gen. Carter with his parents, Betty and Clarence Carter. (Photo: Sgt. James Lally) The Force of Freedom 5
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Page 30: By Catherine Tonello, Public Affair

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