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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2019) -- The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) joins the Nation in the celebration of Black History Month on Camp "Bull" Simons, Feb. 1 through 28, here.
The Group is recognizing African-American service member contributions to the military by speaking with Soldiers on the importance of knowing one's history.
"There was a time when black people were segregated in the military and viewed as substandard," said a 7th SFG(A) Soldier, whose identity is being withheld for security purposes. "Now after seeing multiple [events] throughout history, African-Americans fought with pride, tenacity, and courage, which created opportunities for people like me to excel in the ranks."
Each February during Black History Month, black Americans are honored through a myriad of tributes and stories.
"According to the Department of the Army, originally founded as the Negro History Week in 1926 by historian and author Carter G. Woodson, it recognized the contributions of African-Americans to the country and fostered a better understanding of the black American experience," said Staff Sgt. Melinda Barnard, a 7th SFG(A) equal opportunity representative.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford issued the first African-American History Month proclamation, calling upon the American people to celebrate the event each February.
Making up more than 19 percent of the total Army, black Americans have fought for the freedom of the Nation time and time again.
Since 1986, Black (Afro-American) History Month has lived as a time set aside by law to recognize the contributions of African-Americans to our nation.
"My mother was born in 1962 around the time of the Civil Rights Movement, which helped allow African-Americans the right to vote," said Sgt. 1st Class Travis Greenwood, a 7th SFG(A) information technology specialist. "It's very important for our generation to understand the struggles that was before them."
The 7th SFG(A) strongly embraces diversity as a way to maximize individual talent, increase morale and greatly enhance military effectiveness -- regardless of race, creed or color.
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time to recognize the immeasurable contributions they had on the history of the U.S. -- watch the video above and help celebrate with us.
Lo Que Sea, Cuando Sea, Donde Sea.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2019 18:39 |
| Story ID: | 309610 |
| Location: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Knowledge is power, by SGT Jason Jones, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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