Gamma Pi Leads a Military Celebration for the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta During Recent Delta Centennial in Washington, D.C.

The Military Women Honored During July 10 Event

By Brother Reginald Thomas

On Wednesday, July 10, 2013,  the eve of the historic 51st National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Ernest E. Just Foundation, Inc., founded by Gamma Pi's own Bro Wesley Jarmon, hosted a Reception, Dinner and Dance for the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The theme of the evening was "Honoring Deltas that Serve".   The event was held at Capital Ballroom, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) at the Officer's Club, Washington, DC.   The purpose of the event was honor the women of Delta that served  and are still serving in the military in uniform, as Department of Defense (DoD) Civilians and Contractors.  Upon learning that their was no event of this nature planned in the official Delta Convention schedule Brothers Reginald Thomas, William "Bill" Reese and Edgar Brookins, all retired military who came together to put a plan in place to honor the ladies of the military patterned after the Omega Salute to the Military in 2011.  The Brothers also reached out to active and retired military members of Delta to assist in the

planning of the event and many responded in kind.

After the receptions, the national color was posted by the Bolling JBAB Honor

WUSA 9 Newscaster and Delta J.C. Hayward (rigth) 

Guard and Colonel Michael Saunders, Vice Commander of Bolling gave welcoming

comments.  The guest speaker for the evening was Major General (Retired)

Marcelite J. Harris, United States Air Force and a member of Delta Sigma

Theta.  General Harris gave an inspirational speech of her days a Spelman

College and her participation in the 1960's sit-ins to the many

"firsts" of her career as she was first African American female promoted to the rank of

General Officer in the US Air Force.  Also, Ms. J.C. Hayward, Noon

Anchor, USA9 News and a member of Delta Sigma Theta, served as the Mistress of

Ceremonies and performed magnificently. Other senior Deltas honorees include the

Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, Delta Centennial Chair. She supported the DoD as a Senior Analyst working on nuclear submarines early in her professional career.

Dr. Boyd remarked that one of her line sisters was in attendance and she was Air Force retiree as well.  A presentation from the Secretary of Defense was made by Brother Reginald Thomas to the Deltas. Various other senior military Deltas included Brigadier General (Retired) Clara Adams-Ender, the first African American and female to command Fort Belvoir, Virginia, who also gave brief remarks at the conclusion of the

event.

Brothers Reese, Thomas and Brookins During Program 

Senior military officials from around the country came to honor the Deltas including Army four-star General Dennis Via, Commander, Army Material Command who wife is a Delta, three-star General William "Kip" Ward, whose wife is also a

Delta, and he is a member of Omega Psi Phi and previous Gamma Pi Achievement

Week Keynote Speaker, and Major General Robert E. Ferrell, Commander, U. S. Army

Communication Electronics Command.  The ladies were escorted by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., from the Washington D.C. area to include Gamma Pi, Lambda Gamma Gamma, Alpha Omega, and Alpha Lambda Lambda chapters.  Entertainment was provided by the Just Friends Band that is comprised of all Omegas from various chapters in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Overall everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves and it was a night the Deltas will remember for a long time to come.

Bro.Jarmon of Just Foundation

Gen. William "Kip" Ward (center) with other Military Men 

Military Men and Delta Military Women