RAFB and community leaders proclaim October as Triple Ribbon Month

Triple Ribbon Awareness Month combines three causes/ribbons: Purple, for Domestic Abuse, Red, for Drug Demand Reduction and Pink, for Breast Cancer Awareness. The eleventh annual declaration of October 2020 as “Triple Ribbon Month” was held at the Chapel on Robins Air Force Base, Tuesday afternoon.

Colonel Brian Moore, Installation Commander, 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.

“We are here to kick off this special month-long observance, which promotes health mindfulness in order to build a vigorous and fit community,” Moore said. “We want people to be aware that on this base, there is help for problems with relationship violence and drugs, or support for those dealing with breast cancer.”

Before the proclamation signing ceremony began, Moore recognized Kerry Rogers, a Gold Star son. Rogers’ father, Air Force Pilot Maj. Charles E. “Bud” Rogers, was killed in action while flying over Laos on May 4, 1967.

“Maj. Rogers was a true patriot. He served our country in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War,” said Moore. “As a teenager, he went directly into the Merchant Marines, joined the Navy, and then became a pilot in our great Air Force. We thank him for his sacrifice.”

Moore went on to share that recognizing Gold Star families is a staple of the Robins Proud Forums. Tuesday’s ceremony was the Robins Proud forum for the month. Moore continued that the phrase, “Gold Star Family,” dates back to World War I. Military families would display service flags featuring a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the Armed Forces. The star’s color would be changed to gold if the family lost a loved one in the war, which is where the term, “Gold Star Family” was deemed. The last Sunday of September is designated as National Gold Star Mother’s Day; it was first proclaimed in 1936.

“Being acknowledged tells us we are not forgotten, and it gives us something to hold on to,” Rogers said. “My family and I thank you for your service and for honoring my father.”

Along with Moore, Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms, Perry Mayor Randall Walker, Centerville Mayor John Harley and Houston County Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker, together signed a proclamation deeming the month of October as Triple Ribbon Month in each leader’s community.

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