Emory to Host World's Largest Collegiate Display of The AIDS Memorial Quilt Dec. 1

Emory University will host an 800-panel display of The AIDS Memorial Quilt on World AIDS Day, Tuesday, Dec. 1. Presented by Emory Hillel, the fifth annual "Quilt on the Quad" will take place on the Emory quadrangle from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and will be the largest collegiate display and the second largest in the world that day. In the event of rain, "Quilt on the Quad" will be held on the fourth floor of the Woodruff P.E. Center.

The opening ceremony at 11 a.m. will feature a keynote talk by Sandra Thurman, president and CEO of the International AIDS Trust based in Atlanta at Emory's Rollins School of Public Health. She is one of the world's leading experts on AIDS issues, and in 1997 President Bill Clinton appointed her as director of the Office of National AIDS Policy. Thurman also is a former director of AID Atlanta. Following her talk, members of the Emory community will read the names of each individual memorialized by a quilt panel on the quad.

"The AIDS Quilt helps bring more than statistics to the HIV/AIDS epidemic; the Quilt brings a personal, emotional touch to the individuals whose lives were lost," says Emory College sophomore Alexey Abramov, co-organizer of Quilt on the Quad for Emory Hillel. "Until you really see the panels laid out on the campus quad with your own eyes, it's hard to imagine how traumatic and devastating this illness truly is. The Quilt best illustrates how HIV/AIDS does not just affect the victims of the illness, but the toll burdened by their families, friends and communities too."

Emory scientists and physicians also are at the forefront of research efforts to develop effective drugs and vaccines against HIV and AIDS. The Emory Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is an official National Institutes of Health CFAR site. More than 120 faculty throughout Emory are working on some aspect of HIV/AIDS prevention or treatment.

Many of the scientists within the Emory Vaccine Center are focused on finding an effective vaccine against HIV, and a vaccine developed at the Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center is being tested nationally in a Phase II clinical trial. More than 94 percent of HIV patients in the U.S. on life saving antiviral therapy take a drug developed at Emory University.

The NAMES Project Foundation, Inc., is the international curator of The AIDS Memorial Quilt, now headquartered in Atlanta. The foundation was established in 1987 as a non-governmental organization with the mission of preserving, caring for and using The AIDS Memorial Quilt to inspire action, heighten awareness and foster healing in the age of AIDS.

The entire quilt weighs 54 tons and includes more than 47,000 panels dedicated to more than 91,000 individuals. In November 2005, the quilt was designated as one of "America's Treasures" and was awarded a "Save America's Treasures" federal grant that has established a conservation and preservation program for it.

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Emory Celebrates King Week Jan. 19-27

Emory University's King Week, an annual celebration of the life, work and interests of Martin Luther King Jr., features a range of service, education, entertainment and memorial activities Jan. 19-27. King's spirit of activism and social justice will be highlighted in a keynote address, "Civil Rights: Then and Now," given by guest speaker, Julian Bond, chairman of the board, NAACP.

Other popular events taking place during King Week include a volunteer tree planting in the Martin Luther King Jr. historic district, a jazz vespers service in Cannon Chapel and the presentation of Community Service Awards sponsored by the Rollins School of Public Health and Goizueta Business School.

A schedule of activities follows. Visit the official King Week at Emory Web site for a full list of King Week activities. All events are free and open to the public.


Monday, Jan. 19

"Remembering Martin Luther King Through Service"
Volunteers will plant trees in the Martin Luther King Jr. historic district in conjunction with Trees Atlanta. 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m. 404-727-6268.


Tuesday, Jan. 20

Cannon Chapel Service
Service of Word and Table. Music by the Candler Singers. Sponsored by the Candler School of Theology. 11 a.m. Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle, Emory. 404-727-6225.


Wednesday, Jan. 21

"Words That Changed the World"
Members of the Emory community will read speeches and letters written by prominent civil rights leaders from around the world. Sponsored by the Office of Residence Life. 12 p.m., Coca Cola Commons, Dobbs University Center.

Forum
"Women Talking With Women: Reflecting on Race, Ethnicity and Culture."
 Pamela Epps, moderator. This is an open discussion featuring women of different backgrounds and experiences. 4 p.m., Center for Women, Cox Hall, 569 Asbury Circle, Emory. 404-727-2031.

Forum
"Boys to Men: A Dialogue for Change." S.O.U.L high school participants will share poems and essays followed by intergenerational discussion groups will talk about change as a catalyst to success and the impact of positive change in the community. 6 p.m., Winship Ballroom, Dobbs University Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Emory. 404-727-4148.

Concert and Birthday Cake Celebration
Emory's Voices of Inner Strength gospel choir will perform. 8 p.m., Coca-Cola Commons, Dobbs University Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Emory. 404-727-8425.


Thursday, Jan. 22

Cannon Chapel Service
Service of Word. Sponsored by Candler School of Theology. 11 a.m., Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle, Emory. 404-727-6225.

Community Service Awards
With speaker, Xernona Clayton, founder, Atlanta Trumpet Awards program. Sponsored by the Rollins School of Public Health and Goizueta Business School. 4 p.m., Boynton Auditorium, Goizueta Business School, 1300 Clifton Rd., Emory. 404-727-7697.

Jazz Vespers Service
Featuring Dwight Andrews, associate professor of music at Emory. 7 p.m., Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle, Emory. 404-727-6153.


Friday, Jan. 23

Keynote Lecture
"Civil Rights: Then and Now." with speaker Julian Bond, chairman of the board, NAACP, guest speaker. 4 p.m., Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle, Emory. 404-727-6847

Film
"Soul of Justice: Thelton Henderson's American Journey." The award-winning film profiles the life of Thelton Henderson, one of the first African Americans to be appointed to the federal bench. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Harland Cinema, Dobbs University Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Emory. 404-727-4636.


Sunday, Jan. 25

Worship Service
Reverend Dr. Calvin S. Morris, executive director of Chicago's Community Renewal Society and former director of the Atlanta Martin Luther King Center, will preach. Music provided by the Voices of Inner Strength gospel choir. 11 a.m., Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle, Emory. Reception follows in Brooks Commons. 404-727-6225.


Tuesday, Jan. 27

Ecumenical Celebration–Oxford College
Annual service remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Interdenominational Choir and the "Voices of Praise" Oxford College Gospel Choir will sing. Reverend Harold Cobb and Henry M. White will speak. 7 p.m., Old Church, Oxford Campus, Oxford, Ga. 770-784-8392


Exhibits

"Slave, Soldier, Citizen: The Journey of William H. Scott." January 16- April 6. Level Ten, Woodruff Library.

"Beggars and Choosers: Motherhood is Not a Class Privilege in America." January 15- March 12. Schatten Gallery, level three, Woodruff Library.

"Interrupted Life: Incarcerated Mothers in the United States." January 15- March 12. Schatten Gallery, Level Three, Woodruff Library.

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Honor Flight Fayette Veterans Witness Sea of Support in Washington

Veterans on the October Honor Flight Fayette trip to see their memorial in Washington, D.C., were greeted by current members of the United States military. Bystanders who heard the veterans were arriving wanted to show their appreciation as well.

The veterans were surprised and visibly moved by the cheering crowd, and many later said that this was one of the highlights of the trip for them. After the war ended, the majority of the soldiers returned home without fanfare to seek jobs and adapt to civilian life, so this recognition may have been delayed but was much appreciated. Unfortunately, we are losing these members of the "Greatest Generation" at the rate of over 1,400 per day.

Honor Flight Fayette is preparing for their 3rd flight on November 12th, which will bring to over 200 the total number of veterans who have been taken to D.C. this year at no charge to them. Funds are raised through contributions from caring and generous businesses and citizens, and 100% of these monies are used for the flights.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Honor Flight Fayette has a board of directors to guide the effort and keep it on track. Board members, guardians and volunteers consider this project a labor of love, dedication and determination, and they donate their time and talents as often as needed to make these flights a success. In fact, guardians pay their own way just to be of service to 2-3 veterans during the entire day trip to insure their safety and enjoyment.

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Memorial Tree-Planting Honors Fallen 3rd Infantry Division Troops

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deborah Mullen and Army Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general, 3rd Infantry Division, visit Warriors Walk, a memorial grove on Fort Stewart, Ga., June 11, 2008. The garden memorializes 3rd ID soldiers killed in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Three additional trees were planted here today (June 11, 2008) along Warriors Walk, bringing to 411 the number of Eastern redbud trees in the memorial honoring fallen 3rd Infantry Division soldiers who died in Iraq.

Family members and fellow 3rd Infantry Division soldiers gathered for the somber ceremony as Army Command Sgt. Maj. McArthur Dixon, the rear detachment command sergeant major, called out the fallen soldiers' names. Army Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, the 3rd Infantry Division commander, remembered the soldiers as heroes who sacrificed for the country.

Army Pvt. Kyle P. Norris, 22, died May 23 after an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle as it patrolled in Balad. Two of the soldiers died in Iraq of noncombat injuries: 25-year-old Army Pvt. Ronald Harrison died April 22 at Forward Operating Base Falcon, and Army Spc. Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, on May 9 in Iskandariyah.

The simple tree-planting ceremony took place along Cottrell Field, a parade ground that was a site of celebration recently when 3rd Infantry Division soldiers returned from their third deployment to Iraq.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrapped up a visit here yesterday strolling through the grove alongside Lynch. They walked slowly through the grounds, pausing frequently to reflect on the small granite markers at each tree bearing a soldier's name. U.S. and unit flags at the base of each tree blew in the wind, and wind chimes dangling from many of the branches sent soft tinkling sounds through the grounds.

Mementos left at each tree told the personal stories of the soldiers honored. Two miniature motorcycles and a golf ball rested under the tree for Army Staff Sgt. William J. Beardsley, who died in February 2007 when an IED detonated near his vehicle in Diwaniyah.

Two wind chimes, a pinwheel and a flower arrangement graced the tree honoring Army Spc. Adam Harting, a 21-year-old who died in Samarra in July 2005.

A plaque engraved with a photo of Army Sgt. Nathan Bouchard carried a message of inspiration: "Greater love hath no man than that a man lay down his life for his friends. RECON." Bouchard was among four 3rd Infantry Division soldiers killed Aug. 18, 2005, when an IED detonated near their Humvee following a mine-assessing mission in Samarra.

Other tokens rested at the bases of other trees: a pack of cigarettes, a bottle of beer, a religious plaque and a crystal angel among them. Each night, a miniature spotlight casts a glow on each tree.

After walking through Warriors Walk yesterday, Mullen stopped to reflect, crossing his arms across his chest as he looked down the long rows that began with 34 trees planted during the 2003 dedication ceremony.

Garrison Commander Army Col. Todd Buchs said it's fitting that the division's heroes are honored in a way that will allow future generations to read their names and know of the sacrifices they made.

When the trees bloom each April, it's a tribute to the achievements the brigade made – and losses it suffered -- in April 2003 when it led the drive into Baghdad during its first deployment to Iraq, he said.

Army 1st Lt. Oscar Blasingame, whose legal services office sits directly across the street from Warriors Walk, said he visits it frequently and attends the tree-planting ceremonies "to remind myself of why I'm here."

Blasingame is an Army reservie soldier from Florida who volunteered to serve with the 3rd Infantry Division because of his strong family ties to the storied unit. Sitting on his desk is a photo of his grandfather and the victory medal he earned serving with the division in Marne, France, during World War I when it earned the motto, "Rock of the Marne."

Warriors Walk, he said, provides a reminder of the sacrifices 3rd Division soldiers continue to make, he said.

Army Pvt. Jonathan Goad, who joined the division last month, visited Warriors Walk with a friend just back from Iraq during his first days at Fort Stewart. "He lost a couple of friends there, so it was a very emotional day," said Goad, who expects to deploy with his new unit late next year.

As he walked among the trees, Goad said, he felt a sense of brotherhood with the fallen soldiers, knowing that he is taking up the cause they fought and died for. "I felt a sense of pride and a sense of unity with them," he said.

Goad said he recognizes that he, too, will go into harm's way serving with the division. But after feeling the terrorist threat personally at a young age, he said, he feels it's his duty.

A last-minute schedule change saved Goad's mother from being at the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla., when it was bombed in April 2005. Goad remembers his sixth-grade class music trip into Oklahoma City getting disrupted as rescue workers rushed to the scene to search for survivors.

But the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks were the clincher, convincing Goad to join the military.

"I pretty much felt the call to serve," he said. "I've always felt that we should have a sense of pride and a willingness to make this country a better place and a safer place."

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service