Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 3-25-16 Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016
B
USAF Lt. Colonel With Tampa Ties Closing Out Military Career
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
A United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel is closing out an illustrious military ca- reer in May, 2016 after 20 years.
Lt. Col. Diallo “Doc” Creal was honored at a retire- ment reception on Friday, March 11, 2016. He is currently stationed at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL with the 455th Flying Training Squadron, where he instructs Undergrad- uate Combat Systems Officers.
Lt. Col. Creal hails from Atlanta, GA, but his parents, Ida and Ernest Creal, cur- rently of Atlanta, are Middle- ton graduates. They still have lots of family and friends in the area. His grandmother, Mrs. Mary Creal Harris still re- sides in the area; and his grandfather was the late Simon Creal, who took pic- tures for the Sentinel for many years.
After earning his commis- sion from the United States Air Force in 1996, Creal attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, MS. He was then selected for Pilot Instructor Training. During this time, Lt. Col. Creal was active in the
LT. COL. DIALLO ‘DOC’ CREAL
Columbus Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.
At his retirement reception, Lt. Col. Creal paid tribute to Lt. Col. (ret.) Charles “A- Train” Dryden, an original Tuskegee Airman, “who took an interest in me from a very early age, followed my progress through high school and college, commissioned me into the USAF and provided invaluable mentorship and en- couragement along the way.”
Lt. Col. Creal has received numerous awards and decora- tions, among them, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster author-
Lt. Col Creal with his grandmother, Mary Creal Harris of Tampa.
ized by President Barack Obama, and other Oak Leaf Clusters.
Lt. Col. Creal is married to his high school sweetheart, DeAnna Renee (also of At- lanta), and they are the par- ents of 2 children – Aaron and Zora.
“Flying in the military has been a lifelong dream...and I have been very fortunate to have accomplished nearly everything I’ve set out to do in the Air Force. As I transition to new challenges in the civilian world, I hope that I have had a positive impact” on some lives.’’
Lt. Col. Creal (3rd from the left), completing his final flight.
Lt. Col. Diallo “Doc” Creal with his wife, Deanna, daughter, Zora and son, Aaron.
Pre-Resurrection Gospel Concert Planned
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
More than twenty years ago, one young man created a gospel group in the Tampa Bay community. Since that time, he has continued to per- form gospel concerts at vari- ous locations.
On Friday, March 25th,
Pooh & The Inspirations
will once again take to the stage for a Pre-Resurrection Gospel Concert. The event will take place at the A.C.O.J. (Apostolic Church Of Jesus), New Season Ministries, 2708 E. Osborne Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. The doors open at 6 p.m.
The program is entitled
“It’s In the Blood!” Pooh McClary, founder of the group, along Marquello Kelley, Andrew Holder, Eugene Atkins, Jermaine Smith, Cicero Clark, and Clarence Gunter, will be
J.
Sisters, Ms.
POOH & THE INSPIRATIONS
Cleveland, The Sons Of Solomon, Ms. Amanda Marshall, Lee Walker &
celebration of the Resurrec- tion and Easter. This is part of our continued effort of spreading the world that God is still alive. Our purpose is to bring people together in cele- bration of God through gospel music.”
McClary is continuing his effort of becoming more in- volved in the community this year. Although the group has been together for a long time, he said they have never had an anniversary program. He is currently planning to have their first anniversary pro- gram this summer.
“We are just inviting every- one to come out and have a good time at this Pre-Resur- rection Gospel Concert,” McClary said.
Ms. Mimi Jones is the manager of the group. For more information contact McClary at (813) 516-7780.
Mime, The Zariya McClary, Ms. Tai
Spirit of V. A., among others. McClary said, “We are having this program in the
joined
by
Burgess