FORT HOOD, Texas -- Taking part in the fight against sexual assault and sexual harassment, First Army Division West held a Teal Garden Dedication Pledge ceremony at division headquarters here, April 15.
"Thanks for coming to this simple, yet important recognition today," said Col. Michael C. Kasales, the ceremonies keynote speaker and Division West chief of staff. "This is to symbolize and recognize those that have been victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, and more importantly to remind us of our responsibility as Soldiers and leaders to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment in the future."
Division West's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) team organized the event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month on a sunny Wednesday morning to a packed house to support one of the Army's campaign.
"Several years ago the Army recognized that sexual assault and sexual harassment was a significant issue within our ranks," said Kasales. "We have the duty and obligation to point those people out to our chain of command. It takes everyone's commitment."
The event began with an invocation by Chap. (Maj.) Mark B. Cisco, Division West deputy division chaplain, as well as brief remarks from Lt. Col. Damar K. Jones, Division West SHARP program manager.
"April is SHARP awareness month. Know your part, do your part," said Jones. "It's important to have a prevention campaign against sexual assault and sexual harassment."
Though sexual assault and sexual harassment are very serious issues, an upbeat medley of music from the 1st Cavalry Division Jazz Band, created a subtle, yet hopeful atmosphere for the participants to better receive the event's message.
After the Jazz Band sang a few songs, Kasales was called to the podium to share his thoughts on SHARP and the meaning behind the ceremony.
"We know we're all Soldiers, we know we're all offered opportunities, and those opportunities should be available to us without the fear of being sexually assaulted or sexually harassed," said Kasales. "We need to keep personal, personal, and professional, professional.
It's our responsibility to make sure that it doesn't persist," he added.
Kasales then shared a personal experience to explain the importance of educating, not only Soldiers, but civilians, on sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention.
"I volunteer with the Southwestern University Girl's Lacrosse Team as the assistant coach and a couple of weeks ago we were at practice and they all had these teal ribbons in their hair," said Kasales. "I asked them if they knew what that teal ribbon meant, and one said, 'Something to do with sexual harassment or something.' They had no real idea what it was about, so I had about a 10-minute session talking about what it truly represented."
Jones' counterpart, Master Sgt. Darla K. Farr, Division West Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, shared Kasales' thoughts on properly informing people about the importance of speaking out and standing up for SHARP.
"This program is here to advocate for the victims of sexual assault and harassment and it will not be tolerated in our organization," said Farr. "I'd like people to take away from this ceremony that this isn't just a check-the-block event. I want people to leave here feeling empowered to come forward and have the courage to see that what is being said or done is not acceptable."
Concluding the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, Division West commanding general, Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick K. Akuna, Jr., Division West's senior enlisted leader, and Kasales, placed flowers that they received at the beginning of the ceremony into the teal garden and signed the division SHARP commitment pledge.
"By offering the flowers, which symbolizes the victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, it allows people to be a part of the actual program," said Farr. "The pledge affirms their commitment to the SHARP program and putting their name to something is really a promise that they'll be accountable for.
"Having an event like this -- it's small and simple -- but it invites everyone to be a part of it. SHARP is important and we have to find different ways of getting it out there," Farr added.
Following the ceremony's close, division leaders reflected on the impact of the dedication and pledge.
"It was an outstanding ceremony," said Akuna. "I think our bring-home from this event is our commitment to this fight at Division West. This is something we dedicated ourselves to."
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