Courtesy Photo | "Who am I?” Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Hicks, cable system installer with USD-N, 4th...... read more read more
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By: Staff Sgt. Constance A Oberg
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — “Who am I?” That question was asked more than once during the United States Division-North African American History Month celebration hosted recently at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, all with different answers: Maya Angelou, Joel Lewis, Langston Hughes and Michelle Obama, just to name a few.
“This month is important,” said Lt. Col. Keith C. Hayes, deputy G7(information operations) for 4th Infantry Division, and a Columbia, S.C., native. “It is important to honor and recognize those African Americans that have contributed and shaped the events of our great nation. Black History Month gives us the opportunity to learn the stories of those who we may not have known much about until now.”
Among the highlights of the evening was the background on Black History month. Sgt. Paul K. Sowu, parts receive non-commissioned officer-in-charge with Headquarters Support Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, and an Accra, Ghana, West Africa, native, sang “What a Wonderful World” and recited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, “I Have a Dream.”
Sgt. Tanecia Shepard, cable system installer with United States Forces-Iraq, 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion, and a Houston, Texas, native started the evening off by singing the national anthem for a crowded room of more than 100 soldiers, airmen and civilians.
“Being part of the observance represents the struggles [and] our perseverance over time,” said Shepard. “It is important for military people to observe this month, because the military is so diverse. It is important to know the other cultures and experiences.”
For Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Hicks, cable system installer with USD-N 4th Infantry Division, and an Atlanta native, this month is very important to honor and respect his elders.
“It is a time to celebrate and to have a chance to get a better understanding of what these remarkable African Americans have done,” added Hicks.
Spc. Brandon Redmon, a human resource specialist with 5th Human Resource Company, 7th Sustainment Brigade, and a Mobile, Ala., native, also found deep importance in the African-American Observance celebration.
“I was always taught that if you don’t know where you have been you won’t know where you are going,” he said. “I think it is important we realize the struggles our forefathers endured for us and the freedoms they fought for, so we will know not to take things for granted.”
Redmon said he was excited to participate in the African-American Observance. Not only did he sing a solo and perform a duet with Shepherd, but he also wrote his own poem for the event entitled “Perseverance.”
“I think it is important to look back and see all the accomplishments that people of color have made,” said Redmon. “It gives you a bright outlook, thinking if they can do it under those circumstances, you think how much more can I do, and not have to worry about all the obstacles they had to worry about.”
Although many African Americans were mentioned during the observance, Hayes wanted all those in attendance to know of the many soldiers who have paved the way for others.
“We should be extremely proud of those who had the leadership and courage—they had it all,” said Hayes. “African Americans have served in every war since the American Revolution, and have served bravely.”
Hayes mentioned just a few, starting with the Buffalo Soldiers, formed in 1866, and the 369th Infantry Regiment of the Harlem Hellfighters, the best known African American unit of World War I. Also the Triple Nickel, 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, an all black airborne unit during World War II.
“This is an opportunity to salute those black Americans who have stood up and served our country in uniform despite the unequal treatment in the past,” added Hayes. “Today’s military is much more representative of our military as a whole, and its diversity is not only the greatest achievement, it’s one of its greatest strengths.”
Hayes concluded his speech with these final words: “The camaraderie and closeness we share with fellow airmen, Marines, soldiers and sailors bind us together, regardless of color, gender, religion, heritage and financial status,” he said. “Yesterday’s military saw our soldiers forge those bonds even in the face of widespread bigotry and racial segregation.”
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2011 06:32 |
| Story ID: | 66569 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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