Soldiers And Leaders Gather To Recognize Contributions
There are a lot of soldiers that deal with daily life in Iraq every day, but the leaders and commanders of 3rd Brigade Combat Team paused in operational status for a short time last week to recognize Women’s History Month. They sponsored a dinner at the Forward Operating Base Hammer Dining Facility. The dinner was to call attention to the contributions that women have made to the Iraqi Operation Freedom War Effort. It was a celebration that featured key speakers, several skits illuminating the contribution of women to the war effort, and other activities. There are approximately 237 female soldiers in the brigade, among officer, non commissioned officers, and enlisted soldiers.
“We have a large number of women serving in FOB Hammer that are getting the mission done every single day,” said Colonel Wayne Grigsby Jr. Colonel Grigsby is the Commander of 3rd BCT. There have been a large number of significant woman in military history that have contributed to the military effort. There were a number of speakers during the dinner that talked about the experiences of women in the military in Iraq, and also the experiences of women who have served in the military throughout history. Guest speakers included Major Cynthia Majerski, 3rd BCT surgeon and 2nd Lieutenant Jaquay Kelly, Company C 203rd Officer. “We are blessed to enjoy freedom and privledges now that early women pioneers in the military simply did not enjoy. It’s hard to relate to not being able to control your own destiny and career as women in today’s Armed Forces are able to do,” said Lieutenant Kelly.
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Specialist Atiyhia Godbold began the dinner by her singing the national anthem, and then Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Sowers gave the invocation. Throughout the ceremony and the dinner various famous women of military history were mentioned and discussed. Some of the famous women mentioned included the First American Woman to reach Space, Sally Kristen Ride, and the first woman pilot, Blanche Scott. “Women’s History month is about recognizing the obstacles that women had to overcome to be in the military and the high achievements that women have accomplished throughout history,” said Sgt Vernisa Pope. Sergeant Pope was one of the speakers who talked about accomplishments by Women Military Pioneers throughout history.