Photo By Rick Emert | Soldiers of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division listen as Baton Rouge,...... read more read more
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By Spc. Nathan Hoskins
1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade gathered for a time of remembrance and, for some, a time of learning during a Black History Month program, Feb. 15, in Taji, Iraq.
Among those in attendance were Traverse City, Mich., native Col. Daniel Shanahan and 1st ACB's commander and Stamps, Ark., native Col. Aundre F. Piggee, commander of the 15th Sustainment Brigade.
Baton Rouge, La., native Lt. Col. Charles Dalcourt Jr., the deputy brigade commander of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, was the keynote speaker. He discussed the significance of African Americans' roles in the military and creating a free nation.
"It is my belief that no story told of or pertinent to the introduction, integration, exploitation and liberation of Africans in America could be considered complete without addressing the role African Americans have played in establishing America, defending Old Glory or raising our nation through the profession of arms," Dalcourt said during his remarks.
"I thought that [Lt. Col.] Dalcourt's speech was very nice. He obviously is a great writer and a great speaker. I was really impressed with that part of the [program]," said DuPont, Wash., native Spc. Misha Argall, an S-1 clerk for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st ACB, 1st CD.
Along with Dalcourt's speech, there was a reading of this year's observance proclamation, a display of famous African Americans' pictures and biographies and a short excerpt of the film "Glory."
The film excerpt showed the efforts of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a Black unit who fought for the Union in the assault on Fort Wagner during the Civil War.
"I saw that movie, but that was several years ago and seeing it again really makes you think about the sacrifices of the black Soldiers [who] came before us," said Argall.
Soldiers in attendance felt the program covered a wide range of topics concerning African Americans.
"They talked about every instance. It wasn't just military. They talked about both sides as far as just being yourself – being a people," said Los Angeles native Staff Sgt. Kelly Coleman, the battle noncommissioned officer in charge for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st ACB, 1st CD.
"In February 2007 the contributions of African Americans transcend several fields, interests and professions. From politics to sports, medicine to media, religion to music and education to entrepreneurship the impact of African Americans on society and life in America has changed the complexion of our country – its heart and its soul," Dalcourt said.
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2007 10:34 |
| Story ID: | 9175 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 17 |
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