Fort Bliss Monitor

Army traveling event celebrates Black History Month

Zack Waisanen
Army News Service

WASHINGTON – Many people gathered at Howard University Jan. 24 to attend a traveling event commemorating African-American Soldiers during Black History Month.

Freedom … the U.S. Army Celebrates African-American History brought prominent Black Soldiers to the Howard University community. The event included a traveling photo exhibit featuring more than 120 images of African Americans in the Army, an Army panel discussion, an art competition, and a reception with local entertainment.

“In order to know where you are going, you must understand where you came from, and this program reflects that,” said Capt. Chevelle Thomas, U.S. Army Accessions Command Black History Month Project Coordinator.

The event gives a historical perspective of African-American leadership in the Army. This Black History Month and every month, the U.S. Army celebrates the African-American Soldiers’ honored legacy of strength and service.

“I am here to talk about the heritage of African-American Soldiers – African Americans that have effectively provided strength and leadership in defending the freedoms of the United States. Look where we are now. I am very proud to talk about my Army, your Army,” declared Maj. Gen. John Hawkins, assistant deputy chief of staff for personnel, who was responsible for putting down the Al Qaeda and Taliban Disinformation Campaign while deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom.

Students and community members were able to question panel members about current issues. Hawkins told one participant in the discussion that the Army is working to make certain Soldiers are not sent to the field without essential equipment.

Hawkins said that given recent events, more has been done to appropriately equip our Soldiers than ever before. He said people need to understand that the Army does everything humanely possible to protect its troops.

Col. Norvel Dillard said African-Americans who are currently serving should remember and respect those that have gone before.

“ I recognize that Blacks have contributed greatly through the Revolu-tionary War to the Global War on Terrorism.” Dillard said, “I feel honored to be apart of this legacy. I am where I am today because of the great commissioned and noncommissioned officers’ shoulders I stand on. Therefore it’s time for me to give back, and I will continue to lift others as I climb.”

Other panel members talked of the strengths of the all-volunteer force.

Staff. Sgt. Shajn Cabrera said, “Our Soldiers are the best-trained and take pride in what they do. Many Soldiers actually raise their hand to go to Iraq. One of the privileges of my job is visiting wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed, and what I’m most struck by is that they want to rejoin their units.”

In addition to Hawkins, Dillard and Cabrera, panel participants included; Lt. Col. Michelle Cooper, assistant professor of Military Science, Howard University; Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Jones, command sergeant major, U.S. Army Reserve.

Hawkins, Dillard and Cabrera took part in the panel discussion in coordination with the Operation Tribute to Freedom Speakers Service. This is one of many opportunities the OTF Speakers Service provides to Soldiers who wish to share their experiences with the American people. For information on participating in future events, visit www.army.mil/otf.

Freedom … The U.S. Army Cele-brates African-American History will travel across the country with stops in Atlanta, Ga., through Feb. 18; St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 22 through March 1; and Greensboro, N.C., where it will coincide with the opening of the International Civil Rights Museum, March 14 through March 28.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	February 17, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Army traveling event celebrates Black History Month Zack Waisanen Army News Service WASHINGTON – Many people gathered at Howard University Jan. 24 to attend a traveling event commemorating African-American Soldiers during Black History Month. Freedom … the U.S. Army Celebrates African-American History brought prominent Black Soldiers to the Howard University community. The event included a traveling photo exhibit featuring more than 120 images of African Americans in the Army, an Army panel discussion, an art competition, and a reception with local entertainment. “In order to know where you are going, you must understand where you came from, and this program reflects that,” said Capt. Chevelle Thomas, U.S. Army Accessions Command Black History Month Project Coordinator. The event gives a historical perspective of African-American leadership in the Army. This Black History Month and every month, the U.S. Army celebrates the African-American Soldiers’ honored legacy of strength and service. “I am here to talk about the heritage of African-American Soldiers – African Americans that have effectively provided strength and leadership in defending the freedoms of the United States. Look where we are now. I am very proud to talk about my Army, your Army,” declared Maj. Gen. John Hawkins, assistant deputy chief of staff for personnel, who was responsible for putting down the Al Qaeda and Taliban Disinformation Campaign while deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom. Students and community members were able to question panel members about current issues. Hawkins told one participant in the discussion that the Army is working to make certain Soldiers are not sent to the field without essential equipment. Hawkins said that given recent events, more has been done to appropriately equip our Soldiers than ever before. He said people need to understand that the Army does everything humanely possible to protect its troops. Col. Norvel Dillard said African-Americans who are currently serving should remember and respect those that have gone before. “ I recognize that Blacks have contributed greatly through the Revolu-tionary War to the Global War on Terrorism.” Dillard said, “I feel honored to be apart of this legacy. I am where I am today because of the great commissioned and noncommissioned officers’ shoulders I stand on. Therefore it’s time for me to give back, and I will continue to lift others as I climb.” Other panel members talked of the strengths of the all-volunteer force. Staff. Sgt. Shajn Cabrera said, “Our Soldiers are the best-trained and take pride in what they do. Many Soldiers actually raise their hand to go to Iraq. One of the privileges of my job is visiting wounded Soldiers at Walter Reed, and what I’m most struck by is that they want to rejoin their units.” In addition to Hawkins, Dillard and Cabrera, panel participants included; Lt. Col. Michelle Cooper, assistant professor of Military Science, Howard University; Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Jones, command sergeant major, U.S. Army Reserve. Hawkins, Dillard and Cabrera took part in the panel discussion in coordination with the Operation Tribute to Freedom Speakers Service. This is one of many opportunities the OTF Speakers Service provides to Soldiers who wish to share their experiences with the American people. For information on participating in future events, visit www.army.mil/otf. Freedom … The U.S. Army Cele-brates African-American History will travel across the country with stops in Atlanta, Ga., through Feb. 18; St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 22 through March 1; and Greensboro, N.C., where it will coincide with the opening of the International Civil Rights Museum, March 14 through March 28.