Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
By John Coleman, Community Photographer
The 26th Annual Armed Forces Celebration was held at Kansas SDA Church in Riverside.
The Program ended in Prayer. 
Dr Ronald Stephens, USA, received the Armed Forces Committee Eagle Military Award for his medical achievements, in combat, &.in his current practice.. 
Clarice Sykes, USAReserves, received the Armed Forces Eagle Military Award following her 2018 accident which resulted in the loss of both legs, & their replacement with ‘artificial’-‘bionic’ legs she now uses for walking. 
Congregation opens program with song & praise. 
Jeffrey Miller, Command Sgt Major, USA, (ret), opened the Armed Forces Day Celebration. 
WWII Tuskeegee Airman, Harlan Leonard,Jr, Lt Col (ret), & other members, Buford A Johnson Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Dixie & Edison T Marshall,Jr, T Sgt, USA. 
Dr, Regina Patton-Stell, President, Riverside NAACP, which ,for years has co-sponsored the ‘Veterans Day’ Programs held annually at Kansas Ave Church in November. 
J C Alexander, M Sgt USArmy, served in the Pacific, WWII. 
William Farmer, Sgt, USMC, solemnly played the “Taps” while uniformed service-members ‘stood at attention’, & names of ‘fallen comrades’ were arrayed on the screen in the background. 
Dr Barry C Black, U S Senate Chaplain, Rear Admiral, USN (ret), received the Armed Forces Day 2018 Speakers’ Award. 
Clarice Sykes, USAReserves, received the Armed Forces Eagle Military Award following her 2018 accident which resulted in the loss of both legs, & their replacement with ‘artificial’-‘bionic’ legs she now uses for walking. 
William Howe, Lt Col, USAF, (ret) , Chair, Church, Armed Forces Comittee opened the Awards Recognition service. 
A K Morris, Pastor, Kansas Ave 7th Day Adventist Church offered Pastoral Remarks.
