Copperheads observe Black History Month Published Feb. 13, 2016 By Chaplain (Capt) Lauralee Ozzello 161st Air Refueling Wing Chaplain's Office PHOENIX -- February is Black History Month - a month to remind us of the valuable contributions made to our nation by Black Americans. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford was our Commander-in-Chief. He made a very enlightening statement, "Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Could this be a reprise of Carter Godwin Woodson's quote? The father of black history said, "We should emphasize not Negro history, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate and religious prejudice." Over the years, there have been many urges to grip the different ethnicities throughout societies and the world, and to unreservedly forsake racial divisions. In Genesis 1:26-27 it states, we are all equally created in His image and likeness of God. God has never shown partiality or favoritism among his people, and neither should we. The following is a fictional paraphrase of a familiar true story. A very long time ago, there once was a group of little black boys who played the game "cowboys and Indians" for hours upon hours after school each day. When they became teenagers they made a vow to join the military as a band of brothers. Unfortunately, their white counterparts did not want them on their team, so they did everything in their power to discourage the black boys - issued them old raggedy uniforms with holes in the bottom of their boots; made them clean the barracks and the weapons all the time; and made them run errands to keep them busy and away from the war. Finally, the President of the United States said, "We are losing the war and we need help." So the President, had to make an executive decision --to allow all 200,000 freed slaves who joined the Union forces, be placed on the frontlines, in order to help defeat the Confederacy. The following statements resonate the intention God has for all humanity...love your neighbor as yourself...be kind and compassionate to one another...forgive one another just as God has forgiven you...turn away from all malice and evil thoughts...maintain self-control at all times...grant peace unto your enemies...a gentle answer reduces discord...and always stay faithful to God! At the very heart of God lie harmony, peace and goodwill towards all men. God has given each one their own special gifts and talents to be respected and enjoyed by all. Derogatory division, separation, segregation are all a part of our history which is in the past, and should be left there. Please, have a safe and great month! To learn more about the accomplishments of African Americans go to Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) http://www.asalh.org. Or www.history.com/topics/black-history-month