Seymour Johnson AFB, local communities unite to promote diversity

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Members of the city of Goldsboro, Wayne County and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base gathered on the steps of the Goldsboro, North Carolina, City Hall for a Diversity Day proclamation ceremony Sept. 18.

Bill Broadaway, representing the Goldsboro mayor's office, George Aycock, Wayne County Commissioners chairman, and Col. Andrew Bernard, 4th Fighter Wing vice commander, were in attendance representing their respective areas in the community. Damesha Smith with the Goldsboro Martin Luther King, Jr., Committee also participated in the ceremony and provided remarks.

This year marked the fourth time the community has united in their annual celebration of diversity. Diversity Day is a national day of remembrance encouraging citizens to build greater inter-group relationships.

"We each fully appreciate the importance of diversity," Bernard said. "I also personally feel that all leaders, military and community alike, must create an environment that promotes mutual respect, inclusiveness and trust. As Americans, we must strive to work toward the vision that Martin Luther King, Jr., so eloquently spoke about, so humbly lived and ultimately died for; that all men and women, regardless of their background, are equal."

Bernard also expressed his views on the importance of diversity and its influence on the Air Force's mission both at home and abroad.

"Our Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Mark A. Welsh, has said the greatest strength of our Air Force is our Airmen, and the greatest strength of our Airmen is their diversity," Bernard said. "In sum, we are truly America's Air Force. We gather strengths together from every culture and we make the best team possible. We all serve on that one team despite our different cultures, backgrounds and mindsets, and together we are truly stronger."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sonja Emerson, Goldsboro Community Affairs Commission chairman, presented the proclamation with Bernard, Broadaway and Aycock while students from the Eastern Wayne Middle School band provided music. The proclamation was officially signed by City of Goldsboro Mayor Al King, Col. Mark Slocum, 4th FW commander, and Aycock prior to the ceremony.