Operational Test Command holds Black History Month program

by Rose L. Thayer


Herald/MARIANNE LIJEWSKI	Herald/MARIANNE LIJEWSKI
Members of the In His Presence Worship Arts Institute perform during the Operational Test Command's Black History Month program Friday morning at West Fort Hood.

Herald/MARIANNE LIJEWSKI

TaNeika Driver, president of the Killeen NAACP, gives a speech during the Operational Test Command's Black History Month program Friday morning at West Fort Hood.

In honor of February as Black History Month, Operational Test Command hosted a presentation Friday at West Fort Hood.

Guest speaker, TaNeika Driver, president of the Killeen Chapter of the NAACP, said this year’s celebration was unique, because it marked the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

“In 2013, the roads meet at a crossroads and one can only ask themselves, how far have we come as African Americans in this nation?” Driver said. “The story is not over. ... The NAACP can’t stop, won’t stop until the work is done.”

Before closing, Driver asked the crowd to stand, hold hands and recite the words to the song, “We Are the World.”

“That is an affirmation,” she said after everyone was seated. “That it is up to you and me to work on our world.”

The observance also included a dance performance by In His Presence Worship Arts Institute. The Killeen-based dance studio is owned by Lynn Dykes, who is also a civilian in the test command’s Methodology and Analysis Directorate.

She started the studio in 2005 to honor her daughter, Alicia Esther Dykes, who died the year prior.

“It was exciting,” she said of the performance.

As an employee, she said she appreciates the command taking time to observe and celebrate different history months associated with different cultures.

“It let’s people see we have lives outside of (test command) and to share what we do,” she said.


Herald/MARIANNE LIJEWSKI Soldiers and guests listen as TaNeika Driver, president of the Killeen NAACP, gives a speech during the Operational Test Command's Black History Month program Friday morning at West Fort Hood.	Herald/MARIANNE LIJEWSKI Soldiers join hands with others as a quote is read during the Operational Test Command's Black History Month program Friday morning at West Fort Hood.

Source: Fort Hood Herald, February 27, 2013

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