Hero Defined
Ret. Army Captain Charles Hubert Lancaster Is One Of A Kind
By Raoul Dennis and Tiffany Ellis Hudson // Photography By Raoul Dennis & Bill Hart
Additional Reporting By Susan Monroe // Special Thanks to Jeff Freeland
The sea of black and gold colors (more photos) worn by the Maryland Mother Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club blended smartly with the union soldier uniforms of those symbolizing the original 19th century Buffalo Soldiers. The room was divided like a wedding ceremony between the veterans and the Lancaster family. Symbolically, perhaps it was a marriage between those of sacrifice and those of blood. The BSMC rides in honor of the 9th and 10th Infantry of Buffalo Soldiers to keep their legacy alive.
One by one, veterans from all four branches of military service at the Thornton Funeral Home shared stories, comments, thanks as well as the pain and joy of duty on Nov. 4.
McKenzie Williams talked about all her mom had to do in order to keep things stable while her father, Thearon Ranger Williams, was deployed. A veteran talked about the impact of a memory on his life after losing a buddy in combat and how he copes with having been spared. One man, successful in business since returning to civilian life, read a commentary about the legacy of being a soldier and the distinction it had from those who take a knee during the National Anthem at professional football games.
Charles Hubert Lancaster, Hero. PHOTO: BILL HART
“The Veteran's Day event was a great event to honor all veterans,” says Jeff Freeland of the Buffalo Soldiers MC. “It was extremely special to honor Capt. Charles Lancaster because of his sacrifices during World War II fighting with the Buffalo Soldiers.” The 99-year -old veteran was presented with the "Into Legends" statue by The Buffalo Soldiers of Maryland Mother Chapter. The statue is inscribed with Capt. Lancaster's name, rank and service unit. A picture of Captain Lancaster now hangs on the Wall of Fame at Thornton Funeral Home where the celebration was held.
Charles Lancaster: A Champion for the Community
At the introduction for Captain Lancaster, Williams read Webster’s definition of a hero:
“A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities,” says Webster’s. Williams identified each of these traits with Lancaster’s life and accomplishments.
The Fairmont Heights resident’s involvement in his community extended to politics (local and national), civil rights and lending assistance in numerous ways. Whether it was fighting for equal funding for the first black fire department, answering the call of one of his closest friends and associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rev. Carlton Chase, or designing and commissioning the production of a new fire truck, Lancaster demonstrated a lifelong commitment to his community.
The Man…
Charles Lancaster was born to the late Rev. John R.D. and Marian Lancaster on July 3, 1918 in Fairmont Heights, Md. He graduated from Phelps Vocational High School in Washington, D.C. in 1936. He married his wife Gloria in 1944 and had four children: Gloria Ann, Sharon, Marian, and Charles Jr. He has five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren—many of whom were in attendance to witness the senior accept his award
The Soldier...
Born July 3, 1918, Lancaster enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1941 and went through basic training at Camp Craft, SC. In 1942, after graduating from Officer Candidate School (OCS) as a 2nd lieutenant and among the first to do so in integrated training, Lancaster was assigned to the 371st Infantry Division. He was later promoted to 1st lieutenant and commanded a company of 187 enlisted men and five officers for two months during combat operations where he was wounded in action.
Lancaster was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded in action, the Combat Infantryman’s badge for actual combat with the enemy, the European Theatre Ribbon with three stars and the Bronze Star among many more.
The Businessman...
Upon his discharge in 1953, Mr. Lancaster operated a logging business which cleared out much of the Silver Spring and White Oak areas. In 1951, he was the first African-American to purchase a franchise from the Sun Oil Company and opened his first gas station in Fairmont Heights, Md.
In the mid 1960s, Lancaster was forced to close his gas station because a portion of his property was on land that Prince George’s County needed in the widening of Sheriff Road. So he converted his gas station into a grocery store where he and his wife operated into the late 1980s when they retired.
The Firefighter...
After a fire claimed the lives of three young children in the early 1950s, the Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department was established, but was in need of a building. The small business owner offered one of the bays at his gas station to house the town’s only firetruck. He then offered to lend a piece of property to build the fire department a permanent home. Using his connections, he later secured a loan to purchase additional equipment.
Lancaster also went in front of the Maryland General Assembly as a representative of the first Black fire department to request state funds equal to those of white fire departments. His request was denied and as a result he enrolled in the Fire Training School at Maryland University and became a professional firefighter. He then went back in front of the Maryland General Assembly and in 1966 the House of Delegates passed a bill to grant state funding.
The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club is one of the largest African-American motorcycle clubs in the United States with at least 100+ chapters and more than 2000 members across the USA. The Maryland Mother Chapter is one of four clubs in the State of Maryland. Their membership is composed of active and retired military persons; active and former law enforcement officers; lawyers; corporate professionals, local, state and federal government employees; business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs. G.S. Proctor & Associates brought attention to the club and contributed greatly to bringing the chapters together.
