On February 11, 2020, Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear promoted posthumously Col. Charles Young to the honorary rank of Brigadier General.
Brigadier General Young is a Kentucky native who attended the U.S. Military Academy and was only the third African American graduate of the Academy. He went on to have a distinguished Military career and had it not been for the climate within the country, would have likely become the first African American to earn the rank of Brigadier General when he was actively serving. Many organizations and individuals have been working towards this posthumous recognition for years. Although this honorary rank is only recognized in the Commonwealth, it’s a significant achievement toward honoring this native son and American hero.
Semper Tek constructed the “Col. Charles Young Veteran Memorial” in 2018 at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage.
This Memorial honors General Young, as well as all veterans of the five branches of the military. Semper Tek partnered with NABVETS and the Kentucky 
Center for African American Heritage, as well as many community sponsors to construct the public memorial in the front lawn of the Heritage Center in Louisville, KY. This community project was how Semper Tek elected to celebrate its 10-year anniversary as a firm.
You can visit the “Col. Charles Young Veteran Memorial” for free at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, as well as explore an exhibit of artifacts and information about General Young. Additional information about the Memorial is available on our webpage dedicated to the Memorial.