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The Veteran R.E.A.D.S. Program is honored to welcome 1st Sgt. Robert E. Gray III, USMC (Ret.) for a special Signature Speaker Series event titled Honor Deferred.
This powerful presentation centers on PFC Willy Frederick James Jr., U.S. Army, a World War II soldier and Kansas City’s only native Medal of Honor recipient. Though his heroism was documented and witnessed by fellow soldiers, his recognition was delayed for decades, part of a broader history in which Black service members were denied the honors they earned.
Honor Deferred is about more than a medal. It’s about memory, truth, and restoring a story that should have been told long ago.
📅 Date: Monday, February 23, 2026, 5-6:30pm.
📍 Location: Habitat for Humanity: 501 N. Dodgion St., Independence, MO
🎖️ Open to veterans, families, and the community
Stories matter, especially the ones that took too long to be heard.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
501 N. Dodgion Street, Independence, MO, United States, Missouri 64014
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
