Guest speakers and participants in a Feb. 6 African-American History Month gospel service in Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall pose for a photo after accepting awards on behalf of their respective organization...

Members of a gospel praise team perform a musical selection of hymns and other songs Feb. 6 during the JBM-HH Gospel Service African-American History Month Celebration at Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall....

With praise and worship, the participants of an African-American History Month Gospel Service a celebration Feb. 6 at Memorial Chapel on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

The event drew dozens of attendees to the chapel, where they heard a spirited musical performance by the JBM-HH Gospel Service Praise Team and a keynote address by Air Force Reserve Chap. (Lt. Col.) Myrtle Bowen, who also serves as senior pastor at the Contee A.M.E. Zion Church in Washington.

In her address to the congregation, Bowen urged her listeners to boldly proclaim their love of God when they are in the world and outside of church. Throughout her sermon, Bowen also interwove the history of African-Americans in this country, of how they overcame the shackles of slavery to become leaders politically, socially and economically in the United States. She pointed to leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and President Barack Obama as role models for everyone to follow.

Bowen also urged attendees to visit the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., which opens this September.

The event also honored the Keeper of the Community Award, which was established in 2006 under Army Chap. (Lt. Col.) C. Wayne Brittian. The award is given to individuals and organizations who impact the community by their deeds, service and achievements.

The 2016 Keeper of the Community Award honorees included Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority, Inc., Northern Virginia Delta Chapter; National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Prince William Chapter; Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham; Tia Johnson; Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent Adams; and Sister Freda B. Womack of the JBM-HH Gospel Service.

The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" will perform a special African American History Month observance concert Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m. in Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base to celebrate African-Americans who have served the nation in and out of uniform.

For more information on African-Americans' impact on the Department of Defense and beyond, visit http://go.usa.gov/cP6aj.