Kyan Parker

Georgia native Kyan Parker read out the names of the black men who served in the 53rd Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry for the Union Army during the Civil War.

Many of these soldiers were formerly enslaved.

Parker is a junior ROTC student and a member of the Mississippi National Guard.

Parker says he decided to follow the example of his own father, a senior military officer.

For NPR News, I'm Shamira Mohamed in Jackson, Mississippi.