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188th Diversity Day focuses on finding strength in our differences

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Music, laughter and understanding were in abundance as Airmen celebrated Diversity Day at the 188th Fighter Wing Sept 8.

The event's keynote speaker was Chad Hennings, former A-10 pilot, Air Force Falcon and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys. Hennings spoke about the need for diversity in organizations and using it to achieve a team's goals.

Hennings, a defensive tackle, won the Outland Trophy as the NCAA's top interior lineman. Hennings was a starter on the 1985 Air Force team that went 12-1, beat Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl and finished No. 5 overall in the final coaches' poll.

He deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. From April to June 1991, and October 1991 to January 1992, based at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Henning flew 45 A-10 missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort, an effort that helped provide relief and humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. He was twice awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, a humanitarian award and an Outstanding Unit Award for his actions in the service.

Hennings attributed the success of many of the teams on which he played and the combat missions on which he flew to diversity. From diversity of thought to the diversity of experience, Hennings said collective strength lies in the diversity of the individual attribute.

"Diversity is strength," said Hennings. "Look at metal alloys in nature. Iron by itself is very brittle. It's carbon and other metals that turn that brittle iron into steel."

Capt. Lionel Riley, 188th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity chief, said the idea behind the program was to present a broader definition of diversity than the term many people generally consider. Riley said racial or gender diversity immediately comes to mind, but diversity also includes such things as diversity of thought, experience and religion.

The program also gave Airmen an opportunity to spend a few minutes sharing their diverse experiences and cultures. Senior Master Sgt. Minnie Gordon talked about her experience serving in both the Marine Corps and the Army before joining the Air National Guard.

Airman 1st Class Delmy Osorio spoke about her childhood living in El Salvador. Senior Airman Julie Darrough and Airman 1st Class Zhe Kat Tan both shared some of their cultural heritage, including the tradition of "Red Envelopes," which are given to one's employer during the lunar New Year celebration, and returned with money - or in this particular case, wing commander's coins.

Army Brig. Gen. William J. Johnson, the Assistant Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard, was another featured speaker during the program. Johnson told the story of Staff Sgt. Corenna Taylor, who faced racial discrimination in the Guard during the 1970s, and paved the way for others to honorably serve in the Guard.

"I am here today reaping the benefits which Staff Sgt Taylor and the other trailblazers deserve, but will never receive," Johnson said. "Even though there were obstacles to overcome during my career, I was blessed to work with officers who believed that the more we value diversity, the more productive we become, and the more Soldiers and Airmen we retain.

"Diversity is not about counting heads, it's about making every head count. Young men and women must be able to look at a current wing or brigade and see themselves in it."

Members of the Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir performed during the program, and choir leader Charles Moore sang a spirited rendition of the national anthem to kick off the afternoon's celebration.

"This was by far the best diversity program I've seen in my 26-year career," said Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander. "Captains Riley and [Danielle] Wood have made it a hard act to follow."

188th Diversity Day focuses on finding strength in our differences

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Music, laughter and understanding were in abundance as Airmen celebrated Diversity Day at the 188th Fighter Wing Sept 8.

The event's keynote speaker was Chad Hennings, former A-10 pilot, Air Force Falcon and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys. Hennings spoke about the need for diversity in organizations and using it to achieve a team's goals.

Hennings, a defensive tackle, won the Outland Trophy as the NCAA's top interior lineman. Hennings was a starter on the 1985 Air Force team that went 12-1, beat Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl and finished No. 5 overall in the final coaches' poll.

He deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. From April to June 1991, and October 1991 to January 1992, based at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Henning flew 45 A-10 missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort, an effort that helped provide relief and humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. He was twice awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, a humanitarian award and an Outstanding Unit Award for his actions in the service.

Hennings attributed the success of many of the teams on which he played and the combat missions on which he flew to diversity. From diversity of thought to the diversity of experience, Hennings said collective strength lies in the diversity of the individual attribute.

"Diversity is strength," said Hennings. "Look at metal alloys in nature. Iron by itself is very brittle. It's carbon and other metals that turn that brittle iron into steel."

Capt. Lionel Riley, 188th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity chief, said the idea behind the program was to present a broader definition of diversity than the term many people generally consider. Riley said racial or gender diversity immediately comes to mind, but diversity also includes such things as diversity of thought, experience and religion.

The program also gave Airmen an opportunity to spend a few minutes sharing their diverse experiences and cultures. Senior Master Sgt. Minnie Gordon talked about her experience serving in both the Marine Corps and the Army before joining the Air National Guard.

Airman 1st Class Delmy Osorio spoke about her childhood living in El Salvador. Senior Airman Julie Darrough and Airman 1st Class Zhe Kat Tan both shared some of their cultural heritage, including the tradition of "Red Envelopes," which are given to one's employer during the lunar New Year celebration, and returned with money - or in this particular case, wing commander's coins.

Army Brig. Gen. William J. Johnson, the Assistant Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard, was another featured speaker during the program. Johnson told the story of Staff Sgt. Corenna Taylor, who faced racial discrimination in the Guard during the 1970s, and paved the way for others to honorably serve in the Guard.

"I am here today reaping the benefits which Staff Sgt Taylor and the other trailblazers deserve, but will never receive," Johnson said. "Even though there were obstacles to overcome during my career, I was blessed to work with officers who believed that the more we value diversity, the more productive we become, and the more Soldiers and Airmen we retain.

"Diversity is not about counting heads, it's about making every head count. Young men and women must be able to look at a current wing or brigade and see themselves in it."

Members of the Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir performed during the program, and choir leader Charles Moore sang a spirited rendition of the national anthem to kick off the afternoon's celebration.

"This was by far the best diversity program I've seen in my 26-year career," said Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander. "Captains Riley and [Danielle] Wood have made it a hard act to follow."