Photo By Staff Sgt. Isolda McClelland | Pfc. Aquino Harris, with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 25th Infantry...... read more read more
By Sgt. Isolda McClelland
29th MPAD., USD-C
BAGHDAD—Service members of United States Division–Center celebrated National African-American History Month Feb. 23 at the Division Chapel here. The theme was “Our History and Our Legacy” which included presentations made about past and present prominent African-American figures that shaped American society and culture.
The event kicked off with The Lightning Jazz Band, part of the 25th Infantry Division Band, playing light jazz music as a slide show displayed many distinguished African-American icons. That was followed by songs and poems significant to African-American history.
The highlight of the ceremony was an educational performance, entitled “Who Am I?” which focused on a variety of African-American figures who affected change in American history.
The event was organized by Sgt. 1st Class Marliser Fergerson, an equal opportunity advisor with the 25th Infantry Division.
“It takes a lot of planning for an event like this,” said Fergerson. “The cast and crew worked over three weeks to make this happen.”
Fergerson said the performance went through many changes between the initial idea and the end result.
“I started off with a Civil War theme,” she said. “Then it was suggested that I look into prominent African-American people from other wars in our country’s history. I also knew that there was more to African-American history than just the military, so I included those civilians who supported our military as well.”
Fergerson said she was excited with how it turned out, and felt it was rewarding putting it all together.
“The event was very educational,” she said. “I think the cast brought the education [needed for the performance]. They really responded to me pushing them over the last month, and I think they have grown. I think they did well.”
At the end of the ceremony the cast was presented with certificates of appreciation along with a standing ovation.
“It was a great performance,” said Sgt. Joshua Warren of 25th Inf. Div. signal operations. “I liked the flow of the ceremony and most of all the characters chosen: a Medal of Honor winner, a bronze star winner, the first all black female [military postal] company, and the familiar African-American figures. It was very well put together, especially [highlighting] that soldier (Capt. Riley L. Pitts) from our division. They did a great job.”
Many in attendance found the performance intriguing and inspiring.
“It was an uplifting event for me,” said 1st Sgt. Eric Saunders, first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Advise and Assist Battalion, 25th Inf. Div. “Words cannot describe how important this was for all to see.”
And that was Fergerson’s intent.
“My intent was to educate the audience on stuff they don’t hear everyday about people of the past that paved the way for all of us today,” she said. “I wanted to make them aware of the military tie-back to our division and how it ties back into history as a whole. That was where my focus was and the cast did just that.”
| Date Taken: | 02.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2011 23:24 |
| Story ID: | 66183 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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