Courtesy Photo | Army Capt. Christee Cuttino, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 703rd Brigade...... read more read more
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“Gas! Gas! Gas!” But for the contribution of one black American inventor, that familiar call might not echo through Army bases as soldiers train with gas masks against chemical-weapons attack.
Similarly, the blood bank system, responsible for saving countless lives on the battlefield since World War II, was the work of an African-American, Frederick McKinley Jones.
Soldiers here came together Feb. 21 to celebrate these and the other significant contributions made by African-Americans during a Black History Month program.
Army Lt. Col. Kevin R. Stevenson, behavioral health officer for the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, walked the audience through the wide-ranging contributions African-Americans have made to American society. During a slide show presentation, Stevenson also illustrated the direct impact some of these contributions have had on today’s Army.
Clean, dry laundry in 24 hours. A dust pan used to get dirt off the floor. A mop used to clean up the muck in the office hallway. All of these items – well known, but taken for granted among the privates who use them most - would not have been possible if not for the contributions of black Americans in the past. The "safety hood and smoke protector" gas mask invented by Garrett A. Morgan in 1912, the clothes dryer (George T. Sampson), the dustpan (Lloyd P. Ray), and the mechanically replaceable clamp mop (Thomas W. Stewart) are fixtures in the modern Army’s inventory.
But while much of the focus of the presentation was on past accomplishments, Stevenson, a Napoleonville, La., native, stressed that black Americans continue to make vital contributions to the country and military.
The event highlighted the struggles blacks had to overcome in the past, as well as how those struggles created strong bonds in the community.
“History is important to us,” said Capt. Christee Cuttino, who serves in the personnel office with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “It shows how far we’ve come,” she said.
Although the focus was on black Americans, Cuttino, of New Britain, Conn., said it is important for all people to come out and support events such as this and other ethnic celebrations the Army observes.
“Regardless of race, creed, color or background, we have all experienced struggles in life,” Cuttino said.
A major theme throughout the presentation was explaining how overcoming past struggles could help those experiencing hardships today.
One way to help overcome and prosper is by finding positive role models from both past and present, Stevenson said. He credited many of his accomplishments in life to the guidance of his family, who taught him he could do anything he put his mind to. His mother nurtured him, his younger brother encouraged him in sports, and his godparents, who were both teachers, showed him the importance of education, he said.
Stevenson said people should look for role models who have integrity and live a life that exemplifies that integrity.
“A person’s character will take them further than anything else,” he said.
Other individuals presented their thoughts and praise for the contributions of black Americans. Contributions came in the form of words, songs, traditional dances, poetry and skits.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, all participants were honored with a certificate of appreciation from Col. Thomas James, 4th BCT commander, for sharing their experiences.
(Army Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky serves with the 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office.)
Story by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky, USA, Special to American Forces Press Service
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2025 21:07 |
| Story ID: | 523218 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 2 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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