The Citizen - April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

Vol. 44, No. 08

www.stuttgartcitizen.net

AFN Stuttgart comes home

AFN Stuttgart moves into its new state-of-the-art facilities on Robinson Barracks.

Kids have reason to celebrate

Month of the Military Child means special events and activities all month long.

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AFRICOM celebrates International Women’s Day Story & photo by Brenda Law U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs

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nternational Women’s Day — what is it, why do we have it, and who cares? Imagine a world without modern medicine, technology, access to education or even clean drinking water. Every advancement in human history has been made because someone recognized the need to do something better. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate a lot of those advancements — contributions by women who have made, and continue to make life better for people all around the world. U.S. Africa Command celebrated International Women’s Day March 10 at the Kelley Theater on Kelley Barracks. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer, AFRICOM deputy to the commander for Military Operations, provided opening comments and noted that education was key for helping women to achieve equality. Quoting

Brigham Young, Hummer said, “You know the saying, ‘You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.’” International Women’s Day, established by the United Nations in 1975, is celebrated annually on March 8 as “a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women,” according to the WomenWatch website, an initiative of the U.N.’s Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender. The theme for 2014 is “Equality for women is progress for all.” The AFRICOM event was anything but routine. Those in attendance were treated to a program of inspiring personal stories of triumph, musical performances and a mini-film festival that entertained as well as educated the audience about the contributions of

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Tracy Garrett, AFRICOM special assistant to the commander, delivers closing remarks for the command’s International Women’s Day event March 10. women, some well known, other less so, who at great risk braved the status quo to serve as agents of change for a better world. The event was sponsored and produced by AFRICOM’s Women, Peace, and Security Working Group lead by Dr. Barbara Sotirin, J5 deputy

director for Programs. The group conducted a contest and invited the local military and civilian community to submit essays describing a woman who had either inspired them, helped raise awareness of, or helped advance women’s issues. Each of the three winning essayists read their submissions. Army Col. Melvin Jones, AFRICOM assistant chief of staff (Reserves), wrote an essay about his daughter, LaTrisha, and how she has inspired him by working hard against the odds to achieve excellence, and how she now inspires others to be the best they can be. “She blossomed in the JROTC program as she went from being afraid to ask questions to becoming a company commander and the command sergeant major. Under her tenure, the Ansbach JROTC program numbers skyrocketed to over 70 percent of the school population with many of the younger cadets wanting to become the next LaTrisha,” wrote Jones.

See Women’s Day on page 4

Daughtry plays impromptu concert for Stuttgart military community Story & photos by Greg Jones USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office

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hree members of the popular American rock band, Daughtry, played a special performance at the Patch Community Club for Stuttgart community members March 17. Lead singer Chris Daughtry, guitarist Brian Craddock and keyboardist Elvio Fernandez played a small, mostly acoustic set before an audience of service members, civilians and their families, as well as a group of students from the Patch High School music program. The performance came on a day off from Daughtry’s European tour. The band, having played in Prague the evening prior, was scheduled to play in Böblingen the following evening. Yet they were able to carve out some time to perform for U.S. service members, whom Daughtry said were the “real Supermen,” a reference to the band’s latest hit single, “Waiting for Superman.” “It’s supposed to be our day off, but we wanted to come do something for all of you who do so much for us,” Chris Daughtry said. “What the troops do for our country, it’s the least we can do to put a smile on their face.”

Chris Daughtry, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band Daughtry, performs a special show for service members, civilians and their families at the Patch Community Club March 17. The performance was an impromptu concert the band gave on their day off between two European tour concert dates. Chris Daughtry placed fourth in the fifth season of “American Idol” in 2006, earning him a recording contract from RCA Records. He then formed a band that took his last name and recorded four albums. The

band’s self-titled debut album went 4X platinum in 2008, and the band has been touring steadily since then.

See Daughtry on page 4