Service members, civilians celebrate Black History Month

Photo By Spc. James Wilton | U.S. Army Spc. BeNita Turner (left), from Statesville, N.C., with the 275th Dental Company, Task Force 62 Medical Brigade and U.S. Army Pvt. Ebony Mcfadden, from Charleston, S.C., with the 277th Aviation Support Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Mountain Eagle, a part of the 101st Airborne Division, Combined Joint Task Force 101, both members of the Enduring Faith Mime Team, perform at the Black History Month observance held on Bagram Airfield Feb. 27. The Enduring Faith Chapel Choir, the Elements of Soul jazz band and guest speakers also joined the team on stage, to help the audience learn and celebrate African American history.  

PARWAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.05.2011

Story by Spc. James Wilton 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Service members and civilians attended a Black History Month observance held by the 101st Airborne Division, Combined Joint Task Force 101, Equal Opportunity Commission, on Bagram Airfield Feb. 27.

The event was held to teach attendees about the accomplishments and personal courage of African Americans during the Civil War, which was this year’s theme, and celebrate how their sacrifices have influenced African Americans in the military today.

“Events like this are so critical because it helps us remember the people that paved the way for folks like me,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Dummer, 359th Theater Signal Brigade judge advocate and key note speaker for the event. “During the Civil War I couldn’t have been a commissioned officer. I am personally thankful for the sacrifices that those people made, so I could have the opportunities that I have today.”

Musical acts, including the Elements of Soul jazz band and the Enduring Faith Chapel choir, brought people to their feet dancing and clapping along with the music. The Enduring Faith Chapel Mime Team preformed a piece to cap off the nights entertainment.

Drummer taught those in attendance about figures and battles during the war that may not have received much press but whose impact is still felt today. Soldiers and Airmen also read descriptions of key figures in African American history during the Civil War and asked the crowd, “Who Am I?”.

“I was born a slave in 1839, in a slave cabin behind my master's house in Beaufort, South Carolina,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Harold Dudley, from Des Moines, Iowa, with the 334th Brigade Support Battalion, Task Force Archer, a part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls. “As the American Civil War raged, I led a plot that stowed my family and several other slaves aboard the vessel. I and the other slaves were freed. After the war, I was granted a small fortune by Congress for my heroics, and purchased my former owner's home, where I opened a general store.”

In that instant, the audience learned about Robert Smalls who eventually joined the Union Navy and served as a ship pilot.

This event is one of many that the EO commission has planned for the year. The next event, in March, will focus on women’s history.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2011
• Date Posted: 03.04.2011 17:20
• Story ID: 66509
• Location: PARWAN PROVINCE, AF