02/27/2024
Black History Matters: we must tell it and Share it or it’s dies with time.
Each year since 1997 it has been my pleasure to share my Dula Families Black leniency from the Revolutionary War for Independence through World Wars, Vietnam and Iraq.
I am proud to be from a family of social, cultural and military leaders who saw the status quo, said no, and stepped out of the shades to be extraordinary examples during civil strife and military conflicts.
Today I’m happy to share my direct kinship with Dr. Arthur G. Dula, MD, who experienced the world, not letting society hold him back.
_______
DR. DULA, MD
Dr. Arthur Garfield Dula,
One of NCs first black doctor, Dr. Arthur Garfield Dula, MD was born in the Dulatown section of Caldwell County, NC, on Nov. 7, 1880. He attended the “Howard University School of Medicine” for two years before transferring to the Leonard School of Medicine in Raleigh because the latter was less expensive.
He was an intern at St. Agnes Hospital there. Dula held various jobs in order to pay for his education.
-- He worked as a waiter or a bellman in hotels such as the Treymore in Atlantic City and Chateau Frontenac in Quebec.
-- He was a porter for the private railway car of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Lewis writes, "He laughingly told me that his tips never exceeded ten cents."
In 1915, Dula married Atha M. Owens.
Dula began his practice in his home on Prospect Street in Lenoir. For years, his fees were $1 for an office visit and $2 for a house visit, although he gladly accepted vegetables, hams, poultry, eggs, butter, or whatever his patients could offer.
Dr. Dula passed suddenly from a heart attack on Feb. 14, 1949. His funeral was held at the Dulatown Presbyterian Church, where he was a member.
_______
MY FATHER
My father, named Arthur H. Dula, was a Navy Veteran of WWll serving in the hazardous waters of the South Pacific and later was one of the first black postmen in Lenoir. He was co-founder of the Black Brotherhood community organization of WWll veterans organized for the purpose of fighting racism during Jim Crow. He also served on the Community College Board.
_______
J. Arthur Dula, PhD
Continuing the Dr. Arthur Dula legacy, I, J. Arthur Dula was in the first school desegregation class in NC, joined the Air Force serving from 1967 to 1997; received assignment as first black military member assigned to the highest level of Air Force Intelligence in the Pentagon, Vietnam Veteran, received officers commission in the U. S. Air Force, served as a Commander in the Pacific Theatre (Guam) and elsewhere, lectured ROTC classes at Howard University, and served on College Boards at Hampton University, Bowie State University, PGCC, and as Adjutant & Associate Professor at various colleges and universities.
_______
PURPOSE
I’m happy to continue standing on Dr. Arthur Dula's shoulders as a community and government leader.
I will always realize, “The struggle continues and we must honor our history in February and far, far beyond.
_______
Heritage is important. We all have stories and should share for our posterity.
