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The Afro-American, October 22, 2016 - October 28, 2016
Bradley Via, Brian Via, Gen. Via, Linda Via, Mrs. Milley and Gen. Mark Milley, 39th chief of staff of the Army Gen. Via addresses attendees
Photos by Rob Roberts Gen. Via and Linda Via
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John Hawkins, Gen. Dennis Via and Edgar Brookins
Lt. Gen. (Ret) William Ward, Joyce Ward, Linda Via and Gen. Dennis Via
A special retirement ceremony, hosted by Gen. Mark A. Milley, 39th chief of staff of the Army, was held in honor of Gen. Dennis L. Via on Oct. 6 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. Family, friends, fellow soldiers and U.S. Army leadership gathered to bid Via farewell after more than 36 years of service. He is a native Virginian and a graduate of the Army ROTC at Virginia State University. Via is also the only Signal Corps Officer that was promoted to the rank of 4-star general, in 2012, when he began his last assignment as the 18th commander of the Army Materiel Command.
Gen. Milley gives Gen. Via a letter of accommodation for his service from President Obama
Linda Via receives a Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation from Mrs. Milley
Robert Wright, Gen. Dennis Via and Gen. (Ret.) Johnnie Wilson
The Ms. Veteran America 2016 competition, on Oct. 9, held at the Shakespeare Theatre in Northwest D.C. featured 25 women veterans from various military branches. The theme of the event was “The Woman Beyond the Uniform”. Pageant contestants competed to raise funds for Final Salute, a non-profit organization founded by Maj. Jas Boothe that provides homeless women veterans with safe and suitable housing. Capt. Molly Mae Potter, U.S. Air Force, was crowned as Ms. Veteran America.
Photos byRob Roberts
Lt. Gen. Mike Williamson, Brig. Gen. Richard Dix, Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, Lt. Gen. Larry Wyche and Maj. Gen. Phil Churn
Denyse Gordon, Allania Guiton, Tiye Young, 2nd place winner, Molly Mae Potter, Ms. Veteran America 2016, Charlynda Scales, 3rd place winner, Kimberly Wolfanger and Kerri Turner Maj. Jas Booth, U.S. Army Reserves
Lamman Rucker and Lawrence O’Neal Command Sgt. Johns and Chiquita Pena, push-up competition winner
Marissa Strock, Iraqi veteran, double amputee below the knees and actor Lamman Rucker were the emcees
Sally Rejas, pageant contestant
2016 Finalist, Jasmine Cordova
Marissa Strock, Allania Guiton, Ms. Veteran America 2013; Kimberly Wolfanger, Ms. Veteran America 2014 and Kerri Turner, Ms. Veteran America 2015
Maj. Jas Booth
Yvonne Gordon-Owens and Denyse Gordon-Watts, Ms. Veteran America Emeritus 2012 Pageant contestants in evening wear
Pageant contestants
To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.
Tracye and Willow Weeks
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The Afro-American, October 22, 2016 - October 28, 2016
They screamed when the Beatles came to town. They rejoiced over the coed swimming classes with the Knights across the street. They plowed through record snow storms in the prerequisite skirts and brown and white shoes when buses failed to show up. They were crushed at the news that President John Kennedy had been assassinated. But they survived it all and came together Oct. 1 at Richlin Ballroom & Catering in Edegewood, Md. to celebrate the 50th year since their graduation from Baltimore’s Eastern High School in 1966. From the ancient halls of ivy on 33rd Street and Loch Raven Blvd. to the Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood was a journey with a lot of joy and too much sadness as they also remembered their sisters who’d transitioned over the years. World
renowned jazz singer Brenda Alford sang and then teamed up with recent MacArthur Fellow, singer, artist, raconteur Joyce J. Scott. More than 150 showed up to reminisce and take an abundance of selfies and to look forward to their next gathering.
Former AFRO Editor Dorothy Boulware with AFRO writer Jannette Witmeyer and MacArthur Fellow and artist, Joyce J. Scott.
Kathy Robinson, JoAnn Armiger Holbach and Carolyn Austin Smith
Sue Danz Costello, Barbara Snyder Barr, Susan Haslup Ruhl and Joan Fleming Prinjinski
Dale Parker Brown, Sheryon Green Mclean, Yvonne Moten and Karen Long
Brenda Alford, her sister, Sharon Alford and Lynda Byrd Logan Margaret Hubbard, Margaret Elizabeth Bell and Patricia Lynne Bell
Jazz singer Brenda Alford making everyone want to sing
Sandy Smith Barger, Eileen Patzwall Howe and Kathy Snead Hottel
Standing: Clara Cox Forrest, Mary Widomski, Phyllis Woods, Paula Gwynn, Carolyn Austin Smith and Alice Hawks Johnson, Seated: Yvette Burrell Young, Elenora Faulcon Houston and Helen Alford Photos by J D Howard
LaVerne Gaither, Donna Price, and Dr. Gina McKnight-Smith
The Links Foundation and the Patapsco River Chapter (MD) of The Links held its annual Denim and Diamonds bull roast on October 2 at the Martin’s Caterers Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, Md. Chapter members of The Patapsco River Links, dressed in black shirts with the Links logo greeted their guests who mixed and matched their finest tops with sparkles and rhinestones, and completed their look with distressed and ripped jeans, a casual but an elegant affair. This annual event provides funds to benefit students in Baltimore County who depend on scholarships and financial assistance, and the implementation of integrated programs in the areas of education, economic development, and cultural enrichment in the lives of the surrounding areas of Baltimore County. Robin Ott and Geanelle Griffith Harding served as chairs. Alice Cole is president.
Cylia Lowe-Smith, Corliss S. Alston and Grace Coffey
Nyree Wright, Alice Pinderhughes, Joan Pratt and Judge Yvonne Holt-Stone
Chandra D. Jackson, Kimberleigh De Laine and Ellsworth Jackson
Rita Turner, Anita Turks-Hunter and Laura Phillips Byrd
Karen Berkley, John Berkley, Helen McDonald, Evelyn “Chris” Cephas and Charles Cephas
Denim and Diamonds Bull Roast chairs, Geanelle Griffin Herring and Robin S. Ott
Alice Cole, president, Patapsco River Chapter, Dr. A. Lois De Laine, Emily Hunter and Evelyn “Chris” Cephas
Francine Stokes-McElween and Levern McElween
Dr. William Lupton, Monica McKinney Lupton, Karyn Riley, Sherita Thomas and Gerrod Thomas
Siblings Gabrielle Styles, Greta Styles, Gerred Styles and Genna Styles
Dr. Dallas Dance and Dr. Thelma T. Daley Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine
To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.