LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
“ DIGGS PLAYED [A SIGNIFICANT ROLE] IN RECRUITING OVER 40 KAPPAS TO UNDERGO OFFICER TRAINING, IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER EXISTING BLACK FRATERNITIES OF THAT ERA.” – Brother Don North
the seemingly impossible task of clearing up a two-year backlog of mail in six months. Under Major Adam’s leadership, the 6888th completed the assignment in three months. Follow- ing her overseas service, Adams was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, the highest rank in the WAC. ZETA PHI BETA Another member of the 6888th Battalion who trained at Fort Des Moines was Staff Sgt. Millie Dunn Veasey. She was a member of ZΦB , who served in national and regional leadership positions. All of the aforementioned individuals played a significant role in shaping the history of Fort Des Moines and the role of Black people in the military. Until now, their contributions have largely gone unnoticed or forgotten over the decades. An initiative was created to recognize the Black officers who trained at Fort Des Moines, specifically high- lighting the members of historically Black collegiate fraternities and sorori- ties, as well as Prince Hall Masons. The idea to acknowledge these heroes and heroines came from Major Don North, U.S. Army (Ret.). Brother North (Pi 1975) is a Charter Member of the Carrollton-Douglasville (GA) Alumni Chapter and a 50-year member of Kappa Alpha Psi. He is also the founder of Grid North Historical Productions, whose mission is to research and uncover African American history, then create permanent markers in communi- ties that share the facts of lesser-known historical events that influenced Ameri- can and world history. His love for military history inspired him to research the history of Fort Des Moines. Brother North recalled that
Founder Elder W. Diggs trained at the camp during WWI. The research results made him aware of the pivotal role Diggs played in recruiting over 40 Kappas to undergo officer training, in addition to the other existing Black fraternities of that era. His Fort Des Moines historical marker project began in March 2024. Brother North assembled his committee, comprising of members from the four existing Black collegiate fraternities and sororities and the Des Moines Prince Hall Masons. Donations were received to create the marker and support the unveiling event, scheduled for June 14, 2025. The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. tendered the highest donation for this project. Prior to the event, Grand Historian Kevin P. Scott observed there was a small reference to Kappa Alpha Psi in the museum, so he, with the assis- tance of Larmarrous Shirley (Alpha Upsilon 1991/Frankfort (KY) Alumni Chapter), designed a 6-foot banner (see page 77), which depicts Kappa’s involvement at Fort Des Moines and its members who received commissions there in WWI.
The historical marker ceremony was held in the courtyard of Clayton Hall, on the grounds of Fort Des Moines. Clayton Hall (c. 1901) is a two-story, neo-classical brick building, and the Chapel are the two oldest surviving structures at Fort Des Moines. Combined, they constitute the 18,000-square-foot Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center. The museum was renovated in 2004 from a former bachelor's barracks to a site dedicated to showcasing the site’s historical significance. Over 150 guests attended the ceremony. The program featured remarks from the Mayor of Des Moines, Connie Boesen, Iowa State Representative Ross Wilburn, and the State Historical Site Manager of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. A historical tribute was conducted by an Iowa Gold Star Military Museum reenactor, who portrayed General John Pershing in authentic WWI military attire (see page 77). He delivered a retrospective speech that congratulated the newly commis- sioned Fort Des Moines officers in his uncanny impression of Gen. Pershing. The keynote address was delivered
78 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2025
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