Black History month comes alive for Soldiers on Camp Arifjan

Photo By Bethany Huff | Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Clay, a volunteer from 1st Theater Sustainment Command and Baden, Penn., native, portrays Muhammed Ali during the skit “Black History Month Assignment” for the Black History Month Celebration in the Morale, Recreational and Welfare Theater, Feb. 22, 2017, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Mercado echoed the value of education throughout Ali’s life and tied it to the celebration’s theme of “Success Always Leaves Footprints”. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bethany Huff, USARCENT Public Affairs)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

02.22.2017

Story by Sgt. Bethany Huff 

U.S. Army Central   

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Residents of Camp Arifjan cultivated a new way to spread awareness about Black History Month to service members and civilians within the camp, Feb. 22.
Service members and civilians filled the Morale, Recreational and Wellness Theater, while volunteers along with 1st Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers embodied “Success Always Leaves Footprints” during a Black History Month celebration, which depicted a notable history lesson for all.
“This [event] has its own category,” said Yvette Stewart, an academic counselor at the Camp Arifjan Education Center. “We’re encouraging those who came here today, to leave their own footprint of their success in the world.”
Black History Month observances originated in the 1920’s beginning with Carter G. Woodson, a historian from Chicago, who first organized “Negro History Week.” Efforts were made to expand the observances into a month long celebration and in 1986, Congress officially designated February as National Black History Month.
Camp Arifjan’s observance provided all who attend a unique lesson in history. Starting with the keynote speaker Col. Jeffery Carter, the deputy commanding officer for the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, he resonated how education shapes one’s future.
“Your past does not dictate your future,” the Lawton, Oka. Native stated, who went on to state how education is the cornerstone of success.
Carter’s speech was just one part of this extraordinary event. The celebration tuned into an impactful history lesson in the form of a skit called “Black History Month Assignment”.
“Today, we learned about uncommon African Americans who used education to elevate themselves and in turn, elevate society,” said Cpl. Tramel Peterson, a chemical equipment specialist with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 29th Infantry Division.
The value of education rang through the theater’s walls as nine performers became their selected historical figure on stage. Beginning with Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Connelly portraying a school girl pondering what possibilities she has to shape her future career path. With the likes of Ruby Bridges to Booker T. Washington, one by one these performers educated the audience of their successes.
“This event, not only opened the doors for me to do further research,” said Peterson, a native of Fort Washington, Md. “But it encourages me to leave my own footprints of success for those who come after me.”
The overall message of education resonates with the audience; however, for some, education is only part of the equation.
“This observance is a constant reminder for me that you have to remember the past of your ancestors in order to know where you’re going in life,” said Sgt. Ramone Turner, a bus driver on Camp Arifjan, with 29th Infantry Division.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2017
• Date Posted: 02.28.2017 01:12
• Story ID: 225029
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: BADEN, PA, US
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
• Hometown: FORT WASHINGTON, MD, US
• Hometown: LAWTON, OK, US
• Hometown: WILLIAMSPORT, PA, US