Domestic Violence Awareness Month Continues with Silent Witness March

Photo By John Sheppard | 191009-N-CC785-005 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (Oct. 9, 2019) - Naval Station Great Lakes Commanding Officer Capt. Ray Leung reads the Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation to Great Lakes base leadership, civilians, Sailors and Marines after the 11th annual Silent Witness March held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October every year. The Silent Witness March is in memorial of those who have died due to domestic violence. (U.S. Navy photo by John Sheppard/Released)  

GREAT LAKES, IL, UNITED STATES

10.09.2019

Story by John Sheppard 

Naval Station Great Lakes

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (October 9, 2019) -- Domestic Violence Awareness Month was commemorated aboard Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) Oct. 9, with the 11th annual Silent Witness March from Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), through the “A” school barracks area, to the reviewing stand in front of Bldg. 3.

As base leadership marched around the installation, Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes student-Sailors and TSC staff joined them. Local dignitaries were also in attendance, including Scott Hoffert, the Lake County (Ill.) Assistant State’s Attorney, and Wayne Walles, Waukegan (Ill.) Chief of Police.

Silhouette cutouts, which represent real-life cases of individuals who lost their lives violently at the hands of their spouses or domestic partners, were on display giving Sailors, Marines and civilians in attendance the opportunity to read accounts of each person's tragedy.

The keynote speaker for the event was retired Command Master Chief and author Leon Walker, Jr. Walker, before retiring in 2015 after 32 years of service, was CMC for Naval Station Great Lakes and for Naval Service Training Command. His memoir Broken details his life growing up in a physically and mentally abusive home in Cleveland, Ohio.

“Don’t ever be afraid to get help,” said Walker. “The things that happened to me as a child harbored that anger and kept it in my DNA, kept it in my bloodstream, kept it in my mind for a long time. I was still that angry little boy even at 50 years old.”

Walker thanked the Fleet and Family Support Center for helping him. “I didn’t get help until I was 50 years old. I’m a lot better because I got help. Don’t be afraid to get help. Don’t be afraid to get your friends help,” he said.

“Sometimes those impacted by abuse over a long period of time experience overwhelming feelings of shame and find it difficult to reach out for help. Fleet and Family Support Center is here to provide that help,” said FFSC Family Advocacy Representative Catherine Loisel, the emcee for the event. “Conflict happens even in healthy relationships. What matters most is how the conflict is resolved.”

“Coming forward and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” said Naval Station Great Lakes Commanding Officer Capt. Ray Leung. “If you have any issues, come forward. We have a great Fleet and Family Support Center that is here to help you out. Just go in there and talk to somebody. Fix yourself so you can be a valuable member of the team.”

The concept of Domestic Violence Awareness Month began as a "Day of Unity" in October 1981, and soon after evolved into an entire week. In 1987, the first monthly observance took place. Two years later Congress passed a law officially designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

• Date Taken: 10.09.2019
• Date Posted: 10.09.2019 15:01
• Story ID: 346908
• Location: GREAT LAKES, IL, US
• Hometown: GREAT LAKES, IL, US