To the editor:

Some years ago, I listened to Charlie Rose interview Dr. Ben Carson. Discussing the lack of role models in the home, Dr. Carson said, “The money will be spent. It will be spent on prisons or we could take young black children for a walk down the street. At the corner you could point to the traffic signal and say, ‘A black man invented that.’”

That was Garrett Morgan. Lewis Latimer developed the carbon filament for the electric light bulb. Vivien Thomas developed the surgical procedures for oxygenating the heart for blue babies. Hamilton Naki assisted with the first heart transplant. And Ben Carson is a world-renowned neurosurgeon.

None of these men were from Suffolk.

Col. Fred V. Cherry was from Suffolk. He was a hometown hero. He was a role model. Col. Cherry overcame adversity as a civilian and in the military.

Colonel Cherry should be an inspiration to us all. We should name the new middle school for Col. Fred V. Cherry. His photo and his life story should be on display.

Archie Brock

Suffolk