Black History

Photo By Staff Sgt. Miles Elder | TIKRIT, Iraq (February 3, 2006) -- Master Sgt. Rodney Bottoms (far left) of the Equal Opportunity office watches while workers at Victory Dining Facility serve up a cake to mark the 101st Airborne Division's celebration of Black History Month. (Photo by Spc. Lee Elder, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

02.07.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

by Spc. Lee Elder
133rd MPAD

TIKRIT, Iraq (February 3, 2006) " Sweet sounds and sweet tastes highlighted the 101st Airborne Division's commemoration of the start of Black History Month.

The 101st Airborne Division's Screaming Eagle Band played during lunchtime at the Victory Inn Dining Facility. There were also displays portraying the lives of famous African-Americans and a double-layer vanilla cake made in honor of the celebration.

"When we put on these events, we want to highlight a culture which has added so much to our American history," said Lt. Col. Timothy Wall, division Equal Opportunity officer. "We want to educate our men and women in uniform of the significant role African-Americans have played in our American culture."

The celebration took on special significance for Staff Sgt. Equilla Weaver, 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, who serves as the dining facility's noncommissioned officer in charge. The 19-year veteran from Tampa, Fla., supervises all the dining facility's commemorations, but her role in today's event was heartfelt.

"In my life, I've seen a lot of things change," Weaver said. "Having this cake here today is such an honor.

"Forty years ago, this wouldn't have happened."

Weaver was especially moved by this year's theme of "Reaching out to our youth: A strategy for excellence." It was inscribed on the cake prepared by the dining facility's baker.

"We've come so far," Weaver said. "A lot of young people have never experienced that.

"They don't know about Martin Luther King, Frederick Douglass or George Washington Carver, all they know is Snoop Doggy Dogg, and they don't know who paved the way for Snoop Doggy Dogg."

Among those marveling at the cake's colorful design was William Stonum. He is a Houston native who works at the Forward Operating Base Speicher Morale, Welfare and Recreation office.

"It's an opportunity to come together and recognize the contributions of African-Americans to our culture," Stonum said. "For me, it's a time to remember my own heritage, and the contributions made to our society by African Americans."

Wall stressed that the commemoration is not just a holiday for black Americans. He is a Chattanooga native who graduated from Tennessee Technical University in 1986.

"We started from nothing," Wall said. "We have a unique culture, and black Americans have played a major role in our American society.

"This is a lesson for all of our troops, not just African-Americans."

• Date Taken: 02.07.2006
• Date Posted: 02.07.2006 10:44
• Story ID: 5343
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ