FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Fort Sam Houston commemorated African American/Black History Month with a lively and informative event Feb. 23 hosted by the 106th Signal Brigade at the Roadrunner Community Center.
"Today we pause to celebrate some of the great achievements of our culture," said Col. Chris Haigh, 106th Signal Bde. commander. "I can't imagine the American landscape without the rich influences, contributions and many sacrifices of our African-American citizens and forefathers."
Haigh asked the audience to reflect on the service and sacrifice of the more than 2 million African-American veterans who have served the nation from the Civil War through today's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. Linwood Wright, equal opportunity program manager for the Military District of Washington, presented a history of African-Americans in the United States and in the military.
"The contributions of African-Americans are numerous, significant and continuous," he said. "One cannot truly understand America without understanding the historic importance of Black people in the nation."
Wright urged everyone to talk about racial matters.
"This is the only way we can become one America," he said. "Blacks have played a unique and productive role in the development of America. The greatest strength of the United States is the diversity of its people."
Capoeira Luanda San Anto-nio provided a martial art demonstration, encouraging the audience to clap to the beat of their instruments. Capoeira is an ancient form of martial art that blends music, dancing and singing with a combination of spins, turns, precisely-aimed kicks, evasive defense moves and acrobatics.
Orlan "T-Bow" Gonzales and Milton Wilson entertained the audience with a variety of percussion instruments.
Gonzales passed out gourds adorned with beads to the attendees to add an extra level of rhythm to their performance. He then invited Soldiers up on stage to play hand-made drums and the gourds-holders joined them dancing and shaking to the beat.
Robin Farland also sang several songs throughout the ceremony.
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