I’m Dennis McClure, but “About Us” is really about my wife, Christine McClure, the lady I typically refer to as “Researcher”, “Team Leader” or “Researcher/Team Leader”.
Chris knew of America’s desperate fear, right after Pearl Harbor, of a Japanese invasion of America through the Aleutians and Alaska. She knew the defense of Alaska required a land route from the lower 48. She knew of the epic Alcan construction project that created the Alaska Highway. She knew the Corps of Engineers sent thousands of men to the North Country, including thousands of black men.
In 2013 she dragged me up to drive the Alaska Highway; and, as we crossed the rivers and traversed the mountains, the ghosts of those men surrounded us. As she shared the history she knew so well, I caught the bug–became as obsessed as she.
Historical markers, archives and museums along the way documented the Highway’s construction—except for the achievements of the black regiments. And that bothered us.
Obsessed by what the soldiers of the Corps had endured and accomplished and especially obsessed by the efforts and special suffering of the black soldiers Chris morphed into “Researcher/Team Leader”. For four years, she searched archives all over the country.
Our mentors, Lael Morgan and Heath Twichell suggested we write a book, and for that Researcher needed a writer. Team Leader appointed me. She wrote. I reorganized and rewrote. We yelled at each other. I organized and rewrote again.
Several drafts later, in 2017, Epicenter Press purchased and published We Fought the Road and when we traveled back to the North County on a publicity tour, Researcher/Team Leader dove into research for our second book. I began this blog, sharing my stories to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
As the blog evolved into a joint effort between me and a few thousand followers, its subject matter became more diffuse. The history of the North country includes the history of the Alaska Highway, and the black men who helped build it, but it includes far more, and all the stories are fascinating.
And that second book Researcher/Team Leader researched? It’s written and just released. Look for A Different Race at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Ibooks and your local bookstore.