Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | Maj. Franz Conway, Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st...... read more read more
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By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq -- Soldiers of the 3rd "Grey Wolf" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, packed the Faulkenberg Theater on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, for a night in celebration of Black History Month, Feb. 25.
The event, which was sponsored by the African American History Program from the Grey Wolf Brigade, was a chance for all Soldiers to celebrate black history with their peers, while listening to the choir sing before the guest speakers.
Inspirational songs about hope and love filled the room as the speakers touched on historical and military-specific events from the past that have shaped our world and military today.
"If we take a look at 'Reflections,' we tend to look at something that's happened in the past," said Maj. Franz Conway, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd BCT, and one of the speakers for the event. "But, I think what we need to do is take a look at 'reflecting' things in the past and where we're at today.
"On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King stated, 'I have a dream that one day in the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners, will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood," Conway continued. "Well, we may not be able to sit down at a table in the red hills of Georgia, but we are sitting down at a table among the palm groves of Diyala.
"There is great diversity of culture in the Grey Wolf Brigade, but if you think...we share our meals, we share our stories, and no matter what our color is, we trust each other with our lives. I think the dream came true," he said.
The award for an essay competition was announced as Spc. Benjamin Sternick, Company A, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, took the stage to read his essay entitled, "They Served with Pride: A Brief History of African-American Servicemen."
After Sternick finished reading his essay, he was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd before Lt. Col. Ronald Kirklin, commander of 215th Brigade Support Battalion, took the stage.
Kirklin spoke with pride about African Americans in the military, and about the Army being the front-runner of change within the United States.
"The U.S. Military, specifically the U.S. Army, has served as a catalyst for change in America's society at-large," Kirklin said. "The last hundred years were witness to violence in the world at-large and a wide skill of social change in America.
"At the center of all these changes stood the United States Armed Forces, as a beacon of freedom and progress," he continued. "From the first shots fired from the 'Harlem Hero Fighters' in World War I, to General Colin Powell's masterminding of Desert Storm and now you, all you (Soldiers), (fighting) the global war on terror. African-Americans have taken the 'brass rings' of opportunity offered to them by the military and maximized it to its fullest potential.
"In doing so, these African-American nurses, engineers, journalist, infantrymen, tankers and many others, have created a template for success emulated by Americans and civil rights groups nation-wide as a whole," said Kirklin.
"The military was ahead of society and forced society to change and follow behind the (military)," he said. "While the battle for equality still goes on, the military will continue to be the model of equality."
Kirklin touched up on the history of African Americans in the military, starting from World War I and concluding with Grey Wolf's war efforts today. He then proceeded to remind the Soldiers about where they had been and where they will be going.
"I would like to thank all (the Soldiers), not just the African Americans, but everyone who is here serving, and for the sacrifices you and your families are making to contribute to the global war on terrorism," Kirklin said. "I know it's not easy, but I thank you. I am proud of all of you.
"You are a part of history," he continued. "You are a hero and a part of history...your sister, mother, father, who does not see you as 'Pvt. Jones' or 'Lt. Col. Jones'...but sees you as a brave person who left the community to go on and do bigger and better things. To those people, you are a hero, and you are now a part of history. (You) will be studied and discussed in classrooms in the future all across America.
"In years from now, when you will be speaking about black history, you have to ask yourself, 'What legacy are you going to leave for the history of African Americans and the future of our Nation?" he asked. "One that contributed to the positive growth of our nation and all its American citizens, or are you going to be that person who stood by the side and watched the time pass? You have to make the decision to how you contribute to the world and how you contribute to others.
"You have to think about what we do for our nation and how we take care of each other during this fight," said Kirklin. "As we go out the wire and someone gets in trouble, it does not matter what color you are, we are coming to rescue you. We fought as a team for the last couple of years in training, and we have fought as a team since we have been here. We take care of each other.
"I ask that you care for all...and lead, regardless of color. I ask that you always treat everybody fairly," he said. "These pioneers paved the 'yellow brick road' for us and now we have to pave it for the future, for others to follow you."
Kirklin concluded his speech for the Soldiers with a visual demonstration about moving forward and not spending as much time focusing on the past.
"Remember the past, but don't get trapped there," he began. "Keep your eyes forward and remember anything can be accomplished with opportunity, desire and determination."
"If you walk with your head (looking behind you), you will run into a wall," Kirklin said. "You have to look back to know what's back there, so we don't go back to that point again...but you have to keep your head and your eyes forward, so the future of those following (you) can be paved."
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2007 10:32 |
| Story ID: | 9299 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 295 |
| Downloads: | 190 |
This work, 'Grey Wolf' Soldiers Celebrate Black History Month, by SPC Ryan Stroud, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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