Maryland National Guard Withdraws from Frederick Douglass Celebration

Maryland National Guard Withdraws from Frederick Douglass Celebration Citing New DoD Policy

The Maryland National Guard has chosen not to join in the upcoming celebration of Frederick Douglass’ birthday, aligning with the Department of Defense’s recent directive against supporting events tied to Black History Month. This decision has sparked widespread discussions about the implications of the new policy.

A memo issued by the Maryland National Guard’s Joint Operations Center on February 7 confirmed the decision. The memo stated that the Guard would not be providing support in the form of flyovers, band performances, military vehicles, or troop presence for “Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill,” which marks Douglass’ 207th birthday. The document, signed by Lt. Col. Meaghan Lazak, has been circulating online.

According to the memo, “Since this event is organized as part of a Black History month celebration, the Maryland National Guard cannot support.” The directive aligns with new guidance from the Department of Defense, which mandates the rejection of events celebrating individuals based on immutable characteristics.

Military participation in public events like parades and flyovers is typically used for recruitment and training purposes. However, the new Department of Defense guidelines, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, are impacting such engagements. The guidance, titled “Identity Months Dead at DoD,” prohibits the use of official resources for cultural awareness months, including Black History Month.

Frederick Douglass, born in February 1818 in Maryland, escaped slavery and became a prominent abolitionist and orator. Despite not knowing his exact birth date, he chose February 14 to celebrate his birthday. He passed away on February 20, 1895, in Washington, D.C.

Maj. Ben Hughes, spokesperson for the Maryland National Guard, confirmed the memo’s authenticity and linked the decision to the January 31 directive from the Department of Defense.

Tarence Bailey Sr., a descendant of Douglass and president of the Bailey-Groce Family Foundation, expressed disappointment over the decision. He told The Washington Post, “Basically, what the DoD said is, ‘We’re not doing that. He’s Black and this is February so, no.’ You’re discrediting everything — all of the work he did for this nation not as a Black man but as an American.” Bailey noted that the Massachusetts National Guard participated in the event the previous year but not this year.

This decision is one among several actions by the military to distance itself from minority-focused events and groups. Recently, the Army and other services withdrew from a prestigious Black engineering awards event in Baltimore, following directives to dismantle programs related to women, minority servicemembers, and LGBTQ+ troops. Similarly, the Army Corps of Engineers ceased outreach at an all-girls school in South Carolina, citing the administration’s stance against diversity initiatives.