Red Ribbon Week Parade

Staff Sgts. Jessica George, far left, and Kenneth Davis, far right, both 39th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handlers, demonstrate what happens to people when they take drugs to Incirlik American School Students after they marched in the Red Ribbon parade Oct. 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tiffany Coulburn)

Incirlik ends Red Ribbon Week with parade

Published Oct. 26, 2006
By Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Tukey -- More than 100 children from Incirlik American School walked through the streets of Incirlik Oct. 26. Clad in red ribbons, red shirts they chanted "Give us hugs not Drugs" as they culminated Red Ribbon Week with a parade.

The children were cheered on during the parade by more than 200 Airmen and dependent family members as they marched to tell the base that they are "100% ME drug Free".

For those who don't know, Red Ribbon week reminds us about the dangers and impacts of drug use and abuse, and the benefits of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. It may surprise you to know that the Department of Defense has been the forefront of the nation's efforts to combat illegal drugs for many years. Whether through drug testing and educational efforts within our own DoD communities, or by reaching out to others in our supporting communities, our military branches have been steadfast in the endeavors to confront this problem. For that reason, the Deputy Secretary of Defense has declared the week of Oct. 23 to 31 as the official Red Ribbon Week.

Here at Incirlik, Red Ribbon activities run from Oct. 23 to the 28th. Events include: wearing red clothes or red ribbons throughout the week, awareness seminars and K-9 demonstrations, and artistic contests for school-aged children.