MONTICELLO, NEW YORK —  Sullivan County legislators started their regular monthly meeting in February with an hour-long recognition of Black History Month.

“As Sullivan County’s first African-American legislator, I feel strongly that we should acknowledge and celebrate our history in the county, and inspire the next generation to strive to make a difference here—because they certainly can!” District 8 Legislator Amanda Ward said. She hoped in particular that the Monticello High School seniors and juniors in the room—members of the nonprofit My Brother’s Keeper—would be inspired by the day’s events.

To that end,Town of Thompson Historian Al Dumas shared the story of Monticello native Roland Paramore, who served on Air Force One under Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. “His service in the U.S. Air Force took him all over the world,” Dumas said of the decorated airman. “He became the superintendent of the Presidential flight attendants and President Obama’s chief attendant.”