Leaders sign Triple Ribbon Awareness month proclamation

Triple Ribbon Awareness Month combines three causes/ribbons: Purple for Domestic Abuse, Red for Drug Demand Reduction, and Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. The ninth annual declaration of October 2018 as “Triple Ribbon Month” was held at the Central Georgia Technical College auditorium Monday morning. The college, Robins Air Force Base, and community leaders of Warner Robins, Perry, Centerville, and Houston County joined to sign a proclamation and help promote health awareness to help build a healthier community.

Patricia Ross represented CGTC, Master Sergeant Angela Schunck narrated the ceremony, and 78th Air Base Wing Commander Colonel Lyle Drew explained that the goals of the declaration are to create a healthier, drug-free community, help stop domestic abuse, and work to increase awareness, treatment, and the overcoming of breast cancer.

In honor of domestic abuse awareness, guest speaker, Communications Officer for Houston County 911, Deputy Mary Jane Joiner shared her experiences involving the topic with the audience. A dispatcher with Houston County for almost five years now and a survivor of domestic abuse, she spoke about the details of her past, the difficulties, fears, dangers, and processes of leaving an abusive relationship (she left eight years ago and it took about eight months for her and her two sons to save up enough money and courage to leave), and what can be done to help address and stop domestic violence and abuse.

Joiner said, “As a community, as a society, we are aware of domestic violence; what we need to do now is explain and teach people how to handle it, people that are not in the abusive situation. We need to understand what the signs are and what it looks like from the outside, so that you can step up and say something, even if it’s going to cost you that friendship or relationship.” She also discussed the importance of rehabilitation for the abusers, as well as treatment for the victims, and encouraged everyone to speak up if they are in an abusive relationship or ever have suspicions regarding acquaintances and/or loved ones.

The ceremony concluded with the reading of the proclamation by 78th Air Base Wing Aerospace Medicines Squadron Commander Lt. Col Michael Alfaro and its official signing by Drew, Centerville Mayor John Harley, Mayor Pro Tem for the city of Perry, Randall Walker, and Chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners Tommy Stalnaker. This year’s theme is: “Respect yourself; be drug-free.”