FORT BLISS, TEXAS -- Soldiers and family members of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss community gathered April 29 for a division run to show their support for April 2016 as Sexual Assault and Awareness Month (SAAPM).
Throughout the month of April, Soldiers increased their efforts to eliminate sexual har-assment with numerous post activities to educate the public about the dangers of sexual harass-ment, ending with the division run and proclamation signing by Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, commander, 1st Armored Division.
"The signing of this proclamation is symbolic … what we're trying to do is deliver a mes-sage to everyone," Twitty said. "The message we're giving is we won't tolerate sexual harass-ment and sexual assault within our ranks."
Twitty reached out across the formation letting the Soldiers know he needs their help be-cause commanders can't fix the problem alone.
"You all are closer to the problem than I am as a division and installation commander. You all know what goes on at the small-unit level … we're a team of brothers and sisters in arms and we're a family, families do not hurt each other," he said.
Twitty challenged the troops departing the parade field to look deep within themselves to help eradicate sexual assault permanently from with Fort Bliss and the Army.
"Look at your right shoulder … the U.S. Flag, that's who we represent, it's who we're here for," he said. "We defend our nation, I want all of you all to think about that in everything you do. The U.S. military is the most respected organization in the United States but every time we run amok we erode that respect."
After the ceremony, Spc. Marcus Hawkins, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1AD Artillery, said the division run was a good event because of its message and how it brings Soldiers together.
"It's important to have events like this," Hawkins said. "It shows the Army's commit-ment to supporting a good cause … eliminating sexual harassment and assault from the Army."
Hawkins, 25, from Rochester, N.Y., compared the event as a way the Army connects troops to one of its main goals outside of warfighting … taking care of troops.
"Supporting the SHARP program is a great thing because you can't have a successful Army when you have a problem from the inside," he said. "Coming together brings awareness to a problem and allows everyone to identify ways to stop it."
Staff Sgt. Gary Ferrell, SHARP victim advocate from DIVARTY, also took part in the run, stressed that SHARP is not just a program to recognize once a month but something to rec-ognize a change in culture.
"We're going in the right direction with respecting one another," said Ferrell, 33, from Ripley, W.V. "You see how the Army promotes it, but everyone at the unit-level … CG, first sergeants, and other higher ups are involved just show the amount of care and involvement the Army has to its success."
The division run and proclamation signing are the last events of the SHARP month to help raise sexual harassment/assault awareness throughout the Fort Bliss community. Soldiers and civilians wanting to learn more or help the SHARP program are encouraged to contact their local unit SHARP representatives.
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