JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 514th Air Mobility Wing Rising Six Airmen and other Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst personnel hosted a “Chalk the Walk” day supporting Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Participants used chalk to draw pictures and messages of encouragement in front of the Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility.
Jennifer West, the 87th Air Base Wing Victim Advocate said, “We did it last year, and it was such a great success that we wanted to host this to show support to Reservists who work on the weekend.”
Although it rained, 514 AMW First Sergeant, Master Sgt. Crystal Malsom, and several Rising Six Airmen pressed on and continued to draw and hand out goodies inside the DFAC to promote this month. Malsom is also the 514 AMW Resiliency Integrator and teamed up with active-duty agencies to organize the event.
“They’re doing a lot of events this month, but for us Reservists, we’re only here for the weekend. Ms. West brought the chalk, bottles, and bags,” said Malsom. “We just went out there so people could draw pictures, write a positive message to support people who are going through traumatic situations. We need to be there for them.”
For West, it is a significant form of advocacy and support for victims of sexual assault.
“Just like the campaign slogan for 2025, we’re trying to step forward to prevent, report, and advocate for individuals who have been affected by sexual violence,” West said. “We want to make sure that we can respond well together and advocate for survivors of sexual assault and prevent future violence from occurring.”
The Chalk The Walk event was also significant to Malsom.
“Since we are Reservists and we only see each other two days a month, it’s important for us to come together with the active duty,” Malsom said. ”Sexual assault happens to us too, and we need to support one another, come together, and stop sexual assault.”
Among the myriad of drawings was the Sexual Assault Resource Hotline, reminding others that help is only a few steps away and that they are not alone.
(*Additional photos courtesy of Master Sergeant Kelvin Beltran Pena, 514 OSS First Sergeant )