U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Public Affairs
STUTTGART – U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart will hold an “Equality for All” event on June 19 to address inequality and divisions in the United States and abroad.
All community members are invited to join in a 5K walk or run on Panzer Kaserne, Patch Barracks, Kelley Barracks and Robinson Barracks from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with arrival and sign in begin at 6 p.m. There will be staggered starts. Also, chapels will be open at Panzer, Patch and Robinson during the event. A moment of unity takes place at 8: 46 p.m.
The intent is to encourage meaningful dialogue about issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other disparities in a way that is reflective of the Army’s core values, said USAG Commander, Col. Jason Condrey. Senior military leaders have recognized that divisions and inequality hurt the force, and can divide and erode trust, Condrey said.
“Over the last two weeks, across the installation, commands have deliberately engaged in conversations about issues of race and inequality,” Condrey said. “This event compliments what our organizations are already doing and allows us to continue these important discussions.”
Condrey stressed the need for participants to maintain proper protective measures against COVID-19. Attendees must wear masks and fill out a health tracking form before entering the event. Hand sanitizer and cleaning solution will be available and walkers and runners will implement social distancing.
No signs, hateful or obscene logos or writing on clothing, or voice magnifiers will be allowed. Participants must wear proper civilian attire.
USAG Stuttgart’s Equal Opportunity Advisor Sgt. 1st Class Pierre Boynton, who helped plan the event hopes many community members take part.
“This is an opportunity to let your grief out in a safe environment,” Boynton said. “Leadership wants to be involved, to ask the hard questions and really understand how their people are feeling and I invite everyone to come.”
At 8:46 p.m., community members pause and reflect in silence, using candles, flashlights or cell phones to shine a unifying light wherever they are, Boynton said.
“We are service members and we are ambassadors in Germany,” Condrey said. “The Army core values leave no room for discrimination and we can do our part to eliminate inequality by adhering to these values.”
Equality for All Community Event
At 6 p.m., check begins at each location, coronavirus tracer form required.
At 6:30 p.m., Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity opens the event. After opening comments and a musical selection, the 5K run/walk begins
Chapels are open for a vigil during this time. Community members can fill out a prayer form, light a candle of remembrance and move to the back of the chapel to the prayer board and post the names of those you would like to be remembered in prayer.
During the Moment of Unity, at 8:46 p.m., community members may take part a time to pause and reflect, wherever they are – no set location. Candles, flashlights of phone lights may be used.
Click Here to download the required coronavirus health tracking form
