2018 Black History Program Luncheon

Photo By Staff Sgt. Dylan Chagnon | Members of the Montford Point Marine Association watch a presentation during the 2018 Black History Program Luncheon at the Pacific Views Event Center on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 28, 2018. The event was sponsored by the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Special Emphasis Programs Committee and the National Naval Officers Association – Miramar Chapters, who both strive to promote cultural diversity and multicultural awareness for service members. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by LCpl. Dylan Chagnon)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

02.28.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Anabel Abreu Rodriguez 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton continued its celebration of African American history, culture and achievements by hosting the 2018 Black History Program Luncheon at the Pacific Views Event Center, Feb. 28, 2018.

The program, themed "African Americans in Times of War", was sponsored by the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Emphasis Programs Committee and the National Naval Officers Association Camp Pendleton-Miramar Chapter, both of which strive to promote diversity and culturally inclusive environments for service members.

"We look at programs that highlight diversity especially in black history month as far as the accomplishments that African Americans have made throughout history in the military," said Lt. Nancy Crews, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Staff Chaplain and Emphasis Programs Committee member. "They give them opportunities to actually express and to be a part of the wider community of the military."

The event started off with an invocation by Master Sergeant Antonio F. Dupre, senior pastor of Grace African Methodist Episcopal Church of Temecula Valley, followed by a performance by the members of Xi Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a fraternal organization established in 1911 at Howard University.

Guest speaker, Lieutenant Commander Adrienne T. Benton began her Navy career in June 2005 as a reservist in the Chaplain Candidates Officer Program. With close to eighteen years under her belt, she has come a long way. LCDR Bento has received three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Benton currently serves as Deputy Chaplain for Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

"We don't stop to know what the next persons favorite food is, we don't stop to know where they came from," said LCDR Benton, "Sometimes understanding where someone came from helps you to understand how they function and why they do what they do. We can do better if they know the stories."

• Date Taken: 02.28.2018
• Date Posted: 02.28.2018 19:47
• Story ID: 267643
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US