In a clip from the upcoming PBS special, “African American Lives 2,” Chris Rock gets teary-eyed when he learns about one of his ancestors. Host Henry Louis Gates tells Rock that his great great grandfather was a former slave who voluntarily enlisted in the Civil War as a Union soldier. Rock’s great great grandfather on his mother’s side, Julius Tingman, must have been a dedicated solider as he was promoted from private to corporal within a few months. He lived from 1848 – 1917 and was married to Eliza Moultrie, who lived from 1850 – 1894. Rock’s great grandfather, James Tingman, was born in 1882.

I started crying when I saw this, it was really touching. Thanks to Shawn for sending me this clip, found at Newsradio 1290 WJNO. The show airs February 6 and 13 at 9 pm on PBS.