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Out February Celebrating Black History Month

By Spc. Grant Okubo  

4th BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div. (L), MND-B

Staff Sgt. Vanessa Whitley, a Wake Forest, N.C., native, from 1132nd Military Police, attached to Task Force 95, sings a song in tribute to the contributions and struggles of black Americans during a Black History Month observance and celebration in Memorial Chapel here Feb. 28.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq - Black-American heritage is alive and well in Baghdad.

Even while deployed to a combat zone in Iraq, "Patriot Brigade" Soldiers of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division - Baghdad, found time to celebrate Black History Month in Memorial Chapel here Feb 28.

"This is a celebration of our history and progressions," explained Sgt. Deniece Williams, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native, who was the event organizer. Williams is from 761st Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company, which is based out of Fort Sill, Okla.

Sgt. Deniece K. Williams, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., assigned to 761st Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company, dances during a celebration of Black History Month at Memorial Chapel here, Feb. 28.

Members of Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah's Gospel Service Choir sang the praises of black-American heritage. The observance also included dancing, poetry and speeches.

Soldiers who attended the event represented many races. They reflected upon the meaning of Black History Month and the significance of what it represents.

It is a time to look back at black history and see the progress made up to now, said Sgt. 1st Class Donald Stephenson, who is from Rocky Mount, N.C., and serves with 1132nd Military Police Company attached to Task Force 95.

Capt. Curtis Bernard Reed, a physician assistant from Baton Rouge, La., assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, sings as audience members join in during a celebration of Black History Month in Memorial Chapel here Feb. 28.

Celebrating Black History Month in Iraq may seem a little out of place, but it was a good idea, said Stephenson, adding that it is good to know Soldiers haven't forgotten about black history, even in Iraq.

Putting the event together was not easy for Williams, who, because of mission priorities, found it necessary to work around Soldiers' schedules. The choir, alone, took a month to organize and rehearse for its concert performance during the celebration, Williams explained.

The Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah Gospel Service Choir performs a song to celebrate Black History Month in Memorial Chapel here Feb. 28.

At FOB Loyalty, Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown, a brigade public affairs specialist from Gulfport, Miss. assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div (L), organized a similar event Feb. 29. Dubbed "One Person Can Make a Difference," the celebration encompassed interpretive dance, poetry readings, music performed for choir and solo performances, short histories of some Soldiers' favorite black-American historical figures and more.

Staff Sgt. Vanessa Whitley, a Wake Forrest, N.C. native, assigned to1132nd MP Co. and a member of the FOB Rustamiyah choir, was quite happy with the turnout. Though it really wasn't about the numbers attending, she said, Whitley would have performed if there were only three people in the audience.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com