Robins Air Force Base hosts annual triple ribbon proclamation honoring victims and survivors

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. – Robins Air Force Base held a proclamation luncheon on Tuesday Oct. 17 at the Museum of Aviation to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Prevention and Substance Abuse Prevention.

The event had many attendees including Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick, Macon-Bibb County Solicitor-General Rebecca Grist, the keynote speaker, and other base and community leaders.

The event began with the signing of a proclamation which was signed by Col. Sergio Rios, deputy commander of the 78th Air Base Wing; Col. Christopher Dunlap, 116 Air Control Wing Commander; Col. Sandra Bonney, 461 Air Control Wing Deputy Commander; and Col. Lance Myerson, Warner Robins Air Logistics Deputy Commander. The signing of the proclamation symbolizes there should be more discussion on the issues and talk about statistics on how they can help members in the community.

Medical organizations also had their own booths at the event promoting their services and education about breast cancer, domestic violence and substance abuse. They were also there to spread the word of how they are helping victims and survivors.

Some of the organizations include Houston Healthcare, Unity Pink, Alcohol Anonymous, their Family Advocacy Program, Drug Demand program, Violence Prevention Program and Sexual Assault Prevention Response program.

The event was organized by Major Ayanna Glenn, who serves as the Flight Commander for Education and Training at the Medical Group. Glenn is also the team leader and President of the Women’s Initiative team at the base. She shared the event’s purpose was to support members that have gone through these issues and offer resources.

“I planned this event because this event is actually dear to my heart. I’m a survivor of domestic abuse and it started with a vision to help others and reflecting on what I went through. I got a lot of support from the military installation support services. We have a lot of resources on base, and I wanted to make sure that other airmen know that there are resources on base or families know that there are resources on base that can help them,” said Glenn.

She also shares the bases’ 78th Medical Group has the Family Advocacy Program, which works with families and children overcome their trauma. Glenn said the program is committed to helping airmen and their families.

“The issues at hand like domestic abuse, it affects anyone, even if you wear the uniform. I just wanted other members to know that we can reach out for help. A lot of times members may be worried about their career; they may not seek help and they suffer in silence, and I don’t want anyone to suffer in silence. If I can even just help one person know that there are resources and not just to suffer in silence, then this was worth the cause,” said Glenn.

Glenn also shared that breast cancer affects one in eight women and one in 1,000 men. She said about 250,000 people die a year from breast cancer.

“I want them to be aware, do self-exams, I want them to get screenings and early detection saves lives,” said Glenn.

She also wants people to know that if anyone is struggling with substance abuse, there are resources to get help whether it’s military installation or other programs on base.

Glenn shares her gratitude for everyone who attended the event Tuesday morning and all the programs who help people in need.

“I just want to thank everybody that made this possible and I wanted to honor our survivors of all the concerns and the causes,” said Glenn.

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