For the past nine years GOTDAD Inc., has sponsored the Black History 4ever Quiz Bowl and African Americans in the Military Appreciation Day. This year the celebration falls on Feb. 23, with several events scheduled throughout the day.

The fun starts at 9 a.m. with the Black History 4ever Quiz Bowl. Age categories are 8-9 years old; 10-12 years old; 13-15 years old and 16-18 years old. There is a study guide as well as registration information available at www.blackhistory4ever.com. The questions are in True/False, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank formats. Students answer the questions independently and earn points for each correct answer. The event is free to participants and lunch is provided to the contestants. There is a study guide available for each of the age groups. Not only does the guide provide an itinerary of events for the day, it has the information that is required to compete in the quiz bowl.

The study guides contain an alphabetical list of people and important places and events covering everything from Charles Sifford, to Shirley Chisholm to Zulu Nation, the Tuskegee Airmen and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In addition, contestants are tested on military ranks of the U.S. Army, government, business and economic terms and definitions. The older contestants are responsible for knowing similar information but at a more advanced level as well as African American college life information like the names of different fraternities and more.

Also starting at 9 a.m. is a health fair that is open to the public. There will be educational information and vendors at the fair. Both the Black History Quiz Bowl and the Health Fair are scheduled to take place at The John D. Fuller Recreational Center.

Don’t miss the African Americans in the Military Appreciation Day Program at noon. This event honors local Fort Bragg active veteran African Americans. Wounded Warriors of all races are also honored at this event.

The activities end with a “Ride to Freedom” convoy from The John D. Fuller Recreational Center to the North Carolina Veterans Park and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. At the park and museum there will be tours, storytelling, and the opportunity to meet veterans from the community.

GOTDAD is a group of fathers — both military and civilian; married and divorced — who recognize the importance of leading a balanced life. They understand the challenges of managing both family life and work even when work sometimes included deployments and hectic schedules. GOTDAD is an acronym for Giving Opportunities Through Dedication and Devotion.

Living up to their mission of finding balance in life, GOTDAD members believes that keeping families safe is a priority and provides anti-abduction and rape prevention classes to women and children. The name of the program is called Flight or Fight.

Find out more at www.BlackHistory4ever.com or www.gotdad.org.