Trump, Pence honour African-American military personnel

 Washington DC [United States]: United States President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday highlighted the contributions from African-American military personnel throughout the country's history to commemorate the Black History Month.

Delivering remarks during a reception at the White House, President Trump cited the administration's theme for the annual observance, "African-Americans in Times of War", and praised the influence of black military service in shaping the country.

"African-Americans have fought courageously in every war since the Revolution. Long before our nation righted the wrongs of slavery and segregation, African-Americans gave their hearts, their sweat, their blood and their very lives to defend the United States, its flag and its highest ideals," Politico quoted President Donald Trump as saying.

The President was flanked at the event by Surgeon General Jerome Adams, an African-American anesthesiologist who in June was nominated by Trump to become the 20th person to serve in the leading role of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

Donald Trump also touted the progress in reducing African-American unemployment in the country.

"It was just announced, and perhaps you heard me say it, we had the lowest African-American unemployment rate in the history of our country. We are very, very proud of that," he said.

Vice President Mike Pence marked the Black History Month by visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, which he called "hallowed ground" and hailed as a reminder of the "difficult past" of the United States, Politico reported.

"This has been a payment of a debt of gratitude to Americans who, since before our nation's founding, have contributed mightily," Politico quoted Pence as saying.