Recorded on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the American revolutionary war, Jean Brannon highlights the indispensable role that black men-both slaves and free-played in securing America's freedom. As soldiers, sailors, messengers, doctors and relief workers, African-Americans received significant acclaim for their contributions, though the irony of it rings clear as one war veteran states: "Liberty is dear to my heart, I cannot endure the thought that my countrymen should be slaves."