1st Sustainment Command (Theater), Camp Arifjan, celebrate Black History Month

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson | Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, the 1st TSC commander, spoke during the Black History Month observance about his background growing up and being the first from his family to attend college, along with the challenges he faced.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

02.28.2015

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Kucera 

13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command (13th ESC)

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Black History Month is celebrated each February in the U.S. It does not stop there as, not only is the observance held in several countries across the globe, military bases around the world hold observances.

The 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) hosted the Camp Arifjan observance at the main camp chapel February 28. About 400 service members and civilians were on-hand to catch the ceremony highlighted by dancers, musicians and a skit.

Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, the 1st TSC commander, spoke during the event about his background growing up and being the first from his family to attend college, along with the challenges he faced.

“Our diversity is and continues to be our strength; one of the cornerstones of our nation’s greatness is its ability to transcend mere race at least on some level to harness the very best of all our differences,” said Williams.

“Part of my story is very similar to yours; it’s an American story. This is one of few countries in the world where a grandson of a sharecropper from Cairo, Georgia can become a two-star general in the United States Army; and where the son of a single mother of modest means can become the President of the United States.”

Two Soldiers played the “blues” prior to Williams speaking. Sgt. 1st Class George Ellyson and Spc. Joel Harrison, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, showed off their talents on the guitar to applause.

The 3rd SB Soldiers also performed a skit titled “Who Am I," with each playing the role of a significant African-American from our country’s history books.

The event wrapped up with Capt. Dendre Wright, 49th Movement Control Battalion, singing his rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come”, also receiving great applause from the audience.

While cultural celebration and observance are held throughout the military at bases in the U.S. and abroad, the efforts of the Soldiers here at Camp Arifjan enforce their dedication to educating others and beholding their own culture.

Spc. Julia Garza, 1st TSC-OCP, stated she appreciated the ceremony and it reminds her of the struggles minorities like herself have overcome throughout the years.

• Date Taken: 02.28.2015
• Date Posted: 03.05.2015 01:13
• Story ID: 155988
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US
• Hometown: WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US