MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Marines, Sailors, and members of the base community hit the pavement for the annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month Walk aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Apr. 20.
“Forward, March!” takes participants on a trip around the central area of the MCAS Miramar at brisk pace, reflecting the urgency of the air station’s need to stomp out sexual assault.
SSgt. Brandon Dinkins, a material chief with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting and a Shreveport, Louisiana native decided to walk in the annual event because he believes sexual assault prevention is a priority in this community.
“I think we need to raise more awareness,” he said. “I’ve dealt with it through friends and family, and it’s very important to get the information out there. We can only combat it by sticking together; one fight, one mind. I’m very proud to see how many Marines came out to support not only their fellow Marine, but sexual assault awareness in general.”
During the ceremony concluding the walk, a guest speaker highlighted how important that community support is to victims of sexual assault.
“A little over two years ago, my life was forever changed,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christie Davis, a wing inspector with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3 and a Greenville, South Carolina native. “At the time, I thought, ‘this is the end of the world for me.’ Over the next few months, I would face some of the hardest challenges I’ve ever had to face. However, with the love and support I’ve received from my family, friends, and my command, it actually made things a little bit more bearable.”
Col. John Farnam, commanding officer of MCAS Miramar, concluded the ceremony by suggesting attendees think of sexual assault as a hindrance to their mission.
“There’s just no room in the Corps for this sort of thing,” he said. “We’re here to protect the nation, and we don’t do that as individuals, we do that as a team, and that team is damaged by activities like this. That team is slowed down. That team isn’t what it could be because of, in this case, sexual assault. We cannot allow that on our team.”