Black History Month is a time to honor and recognize the triumphs and contributions of African-Americans. The significant role African-American soldiers played in shaping Missouri's history and future cannot be overstated.

From the Civil War-era Battle of Island Mound in 1862 in Bates County, which is the first known engagement of an African-American regiment in the Civil War, to the founding of Lincoln University in Jefferson City by members of the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantry, to the separate Black Officers Club of a WWII-era Fort Leonard Wood, African-American soldiers and veterans have long understood the high cost of liberty and freedom that so many of us take for granted as they often fought a war of two fronts: the enemy they were fighting and racism at home.

With the indifference and sometimes outright hatred faced at home, many African-Americans who served in the military, both male and female, never bothered to access or find out about their veterans benefits. Recognizing a need, the Missouri Veterans Commission in 2006 established an outreach initiative targeted at reaching out to minority veterans in Missouri. Based in Kansas City, our minority veterans coordinator works daily to inform minority veterans about veterans benefits, refers minority veterans to veterans service officers to apply for benefits and advocates on behalf of minority veteran issues.

To contact the minority veterans coordinator, you can call 816-889-3081, e-mail Rebecca.bradley@mvc.dps.mo.gov or go to www.mvc.dps.mo.gov for more information.

As Black History Month draws to a close, I am reminded of a statement we here at the Missouri Veterans Commission live by: "Veterans are honored every day, not just Veterans Day." Just as we honor veterans throughout the year, the recognition and honor given to African-Americans should not end on Feb. 28.

Larry D. Kay is the executive director of the Missouri Veterans Commission. A Gulf War veteran, he recently returned from active duty as Commander, Multinational Task Force East in Kosov