Looking out at the worn headstones in the military section of Allegheny Cemetery, Vietnam era vet Mike Flournoy shook his head.

“To think, 150 years ago, these men were buried in a totally integrated cemetery, yet just 40 years ago we had problems with Blacks being buried in ‘White’ cemeteries,” he said. “What happened to change that? That’s something I think sociologists might want to look at.”

NEVER FORGET—Vietnam Vets from left: Olson Pollard, Sager McDill and Mike Flournoy prepare to lay a wreath honoring the US Colored Troops buried at Allegheny Cemetery on the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. (Photo by J. L. Martello)

Flournoy and fellow Black Vietnam era vets Sager McDill and Olson Pollard laid a wreath at the Allegheny Cemetery’s Veterans Memorial in a ceremony commemorating the service and sacrifice of United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, which began 150 years ago.

“This is really great,” said Pollard. “It’s beyond the call of duty for everyone to honor our troops of the past. And I am honored to have participated.”

Every nine seconds, a student in America becomes a dropout. For Pittsburgh high school students the dropout rate averages at approximately 35 percent, reaching as high as 50 percent for African-American males.

SABRINA SAUNDERS

In the opening minutes of the 2010 Graduate Pittsburgh Summit on Nov. 4, the audience of educators, youth advocates, students, parents, and leaders in government, business, and the community heard the stories of four local dropouts who are now on the path to graduating.

From an early age Hank Commodore developed a love for the Lord and a passion to give back to those who were less fortunate than he. Before it was to needy children, but now through his organization Help the Needy, Not the Greedy Get On Board for the Right Thing, Commodore is helping disadvantaged families by providing furniture.

HANK COMMODORE (Photo by J.L. Martello)

“I give the Lord all the praise. I do this out of my own pocket,” Commodore said. “I have been doing this for years and it has been a blessing.”

Help the Needy, Not the Greedy was first started in 2007 and according to Commodore, founder and chairman, it has given away more than $3 million in furniture to those who are less fortunate. For more than 20 years, he began purchasing furniture from a local store and giving it out. Now he receives furniture donations from stores.

With Republicans gaining 60 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, President Obama now faces the prospect that his agenda initiatives on passing Card Check, Illegal Immigration reform and Cap and Trade may be dead in the water.

There is even the possibility that his signature Healthcare legislation could be rolled back, or defunded.  John Boehner, R-Ohio, who will take over as Speaker of the House in January, said his priority is repealing Obamacare.

PRESIDENT OBAMA

However, the first priority of the lame-duck session will be extending the Bush-era tax rates. Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi prevented a vote on the issue last month.  The lower marginal rates, and increases in the child tax exemption and the Earned Income Tax Credit expire at the end of the year.  President Obama said he is willing to negotiate.