MANCHESTER, CT — U.S. Army veteran Bridgitte Prince has become the first Black woman to be honored with a veteran banner in Manchester, Connecticut. Her banner, featuring a photo from her service years, now hangs prominently along Main Street as part of the town’s Veterans Banner Program.
Prince served in the Army from 1982 to 1987, achieving the rank of specialist. Beyond her military service, she has been a vocal advocate for affordable housing for veterans, emphasizing the importance of community support for those who have served. “A veteran should be able to come right to any community and the community says ‘listen, you served, now we’re going to serve you,'” Prince stated.
The banner initiative, organized by the African American and Black Affairs Council (AABAC) and supported by various donors, celebrates veterans’ service by displaying their images and details on banners throughout the community. Since its inception in 2022, Manchester has honored 92 veterans, including four women, with banners displayed from Memorial Day through Veterans Day each year.
Rhonda Philbert, a founding member of AABAC, highlighted the significance of Prince’s recognition, noting that it not only honors her service but also brings attention to the contributions of Black individuals to Memorial Day’s history. She referenced the 1865 event in Charleston, South Carolina, where a group of Black residents held one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations by decorating the graves of Union soldiers.
Prince expressed hope that her banner would inspire younger generations to consider military service, even if only for a few years. Her banner will remain on display until Memorial Day next year, after which AABAC plans to nominate another veteran for the honor.
