Soldiers of 'Ready First' host African-American History Month Observance

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | The deputy commanding general of Fort Bliss, Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, watches as a soldier with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, “Ready First” 1st Armored Division, plays the role of President Lincoln during the Fort Bliss African American History Observance, at the East Fort Bliss Centennial Banquet and Conference Center, El Paso, Texas, Feb. 23.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

02.23.2011

Story by Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FORT BLISS, Texas - More than 150 Team Bliss soldiers, family and El Paso community members joined the Deputy Commanding General of Fort Bliss, Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty at the observance.

Black History month was established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. It originally, began as Negro History Week but was soon changed to a month-long observance by President Carter, according to Dr. Maceo C. Dailey Jr., director of African American Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The theme for this year’s African American History Month was “African Americans and the Civil War.”

The ceremony began with Ms. Daisy Ashford, who sang the national negro anthem; she was followed by soldiers of Ready First, who preformed a skit that took the audience through the Civil War.

The skit included performances by the Voices of Praise and the Praise Temple Dancers, both of whom are with the Praise Temple.

“This year Ready First decided to do a skit so the audience could see and hear what African Americans went through during the Civil War, the good and the bad,” said Staff Sgt. Ariesa Griffin, who directed the play.

Following the skit, Dailey, the guest speaker for the event, spoke about the history of African Americans in the Civil War and the hardships they faced.

During the Civil War, African American’s lives were in danger at all times, still they were determined to prove they could fight in the military, said Dailey.

He concluded his speech by saying; it is incredible what the African Americans of the Civil War went through, they did so much with so little.
According to Sgt. 1st Class Gerald W. Meineke, ceremonies like this one are important because it highlights the sacrifice that transformed our nation.

“The sacrifice and accomplishments of African Americans helped transform our Army and our nation, and all Americans should realize that the efforts of African American soldiers and civilians contributed greatly to the preservation of our fledgling country,” he said.

• Date Taken: 02.23.2011
• Date Posted: 03.07.2011 12:40
• Story ID: 66629
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US