ࡱ> IKH -bjbjޥ 4NǴǴ%::\,A00000   $#     00 "00 |0pƞ<-0A,          A             : Z: Generic Black History Month 2015 Speech Thank you for that warm introduction. I am so honored to be here. Im always humbled when I have the opportunity to talk about the Navy; like so many others, I believe it is an honor and a privilege to call myself a Sailor. But Im especially honored when I have the opportunity to talk about the diversity of Americas great Navy. (insert brief comments here about who you are and a brief description of what you do in the Navy. Then recognize the group you are speaking to; perhaps some connection to their service if it is a civic organization, or, if it is a Navy organization, recognize the service of those in attendance---allowing about 5 minutes to do this) I am especially honored to address you all today during Black History Month. This celebration presents a tremendous opportunity to focus on and highlight the contributions of black Americans, including those past and present whove served and continue to serve in our great Navy. Black history is American history, and I cant think of a better time to share with you some of the rich history lived by black Americans who have served our nation through Naval service, despite prejudice, and who, through their dedication and sacrifice, helped shape the Navy into the powerful force we have today. (Pause) As anyone familiar with our Navy knows, we are extremely fond of our legends and heros; names like Halsey, Nimitz, and Rickover spring easily to our lips when we talk about leadership, courage and innovation. But what about the names of Samuel Gravely, Wesley Brown, Jeanne Stewart, the Golden Thirteen and many, many other names and stories we should know and take pride in? Names and stories that perhaps spring less quickly to mind. We owe it to ourselves and those who will follow in our footsteps to learn about those black Americans who made history, who served against the odds (all too often in ratings far below their skill level), and who laid the foundation for the diverse Navy we have today. African Americans have been serving our country through Naval service since the Revolutionary War, and in many cases, with heroism and courage that all too often went unrecognized. So, in the interest of deepening our well of historical knowledge, let me share with you some information today: While few official records were kept, there is evidence that African Americans manned gunboats during the Revolutionary War. During the War of 1812, about 16 percent of enlisted sailors were black, many having joined in the hopes that they would be freed at wars end. During the Civil War, 8 African Americans earned the Medal of Honor. John Lawson, an African American, received the Medal of Honor for service on USS Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. And records show Frank Allen displayed outstanding service and patriotism while serving on USS Franklin in European waters in 1868. WWI and the period immediately following that war was a low point in our Navys history when it comes to diversity: The Navy endorsed racial segregation as a policy and limited African Americans' participation during World War I. After the war ended, the Navy barred black enlistments from 1919 to 1932, though Black Sailors already in service in 1919 were allowed to continue serving until retirement. During WWII, over 150,000 African Americans served our nation. In fact, a private yacht pressed into war-time service named the Sea Cloud, became the first integrated Navy ship with a crew of four Black officers and some 50 Black petty officers and seamen serving in the ship's 175-man company. In 1944 the Navy commissioned the first group of African American officers. The twelve officers and one warrant officer became known as the Golden Thirteen and represented great progress in removing the rank limitations of African Americans in the Navy. In November of 2000, Navy officials took a great stride in recognizing the contributions of Black Americans when they added the names of more than 8,000 African Americans, including 12 women, to the records as honored Civil War veterans. The first African American to graduate from the Naval Academy was Wesley Brown, who graduated in 1949. The first African American to attain the rank of admiral was Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., who was commissioned as an ENS in 1944 and attained the rank of vice admiral before he retired. DDG 107 will be christened in his honor later this spring. Jeanne Stewart was one of only 70 African American enlisted WAVES during WWII, and Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills, were the first African-American female naval officers commissioned through the "WAVES" program. ENS Jesse Brown was our first black Naval Aviator. He was killed in action during the Korean War and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. Mess Attendant 1st Class Leonard Roy Harmon, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the battle of Guadalcanal. Petty Officer Harmon became the first African-American to have a U.S. Navy ship named after him, the USS Harmon (DE 678). In 1943, the USS Mason (DE 529) became the first ship with a predominantly African American crew. Her story and the story of the remarkable Sailors who served on her is the subject of the book Proudly We Served. Master Diver Carl Brashear, who will soon have a ship named in his honor, was our Navys first African American diver and overcame the loss of a limb to return to active service. His story was told in the 2000 film Men of Honor, starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. Rear Adm. Michelle J. Howard was the first African American woman to command a Navy ship. Before her, RDML Lillian Fishburn had become the first female African American flag officer in the Navy in 1998. Robert Smalls, John Lawson, Mark Starlin.we could go on for hours. These names are a part of our Navy history, and I urge you to find out more about their heroic actions and service, service that extends from the Revolutionary War through history and right up to today. Some have spoken of military service as the great equalizer. We wear the same clothes, we bond through the same training, and no one has the upper hand.except of course, the Admirals (pause for laughter). Those of us wearing the uniform of our country learn early on that success depends on each individual working as a part of a team. Evidence of that is reflected in our Navy football jerseys.youll notice there are no names on the back of our Navy football jerseys. And given the 14 game win streak over Army, Id say that team mentality is working really well for us. (pause for laughter) It is that team spirit, camaraderie, and the closeness we share with our fellow shipmates that bind us together regardless of color, gender, religion, heritage, or financial status. Yesterdays Navy saw our Sailors forge those bonds even in the face of widespread bigotry and racial segregation. Todays Navy is one in which every individual gets to play on an increasingly level field. (Pause) We have come a long way in this country and in our armed services. Our Navy has zero tolerance for racism. Every member of our Navy and Marine Corps team completes diversity training and the history of Black Americans in the Navy is finally coming to light. We hold diversity summits where important and sometimes contentious issues are brought to light and tackled like an Army running back. (pause for laughter) These summits help to remind us: our work is not done. We have issues and concerns, and we will address them and overcome them in order to improve the lives of our Sailors and ensure equality. I think we can all be proud of our Navy and its commitment to racial equality. In fact, todays Navy is so much more representative of America as a whole, and its diversity is not only one of its greatest achievements, it is one of its greatest strengths. But like a ship at sea, our forward momentum must continue if we are to get anywhere. We must continue to ensure equality in our ranks. We must ensure that we recruit the talented African American youth of today in order to improve our Navy and ensure diversity tomorrowwe must compete for these talented young men and women. If we dont, rest assured other companies and organizations will recruit them. It is essential to our continued success that our leadership in both the officer and enlisted ranks reflects the diversity of our nation. As the Chief of Naval Operations said in 2007, Diversity is a leadership issue, and everyone is a leader. We must provide examples of leadership for our younger black sailors to look to and emulate, and I think we all look forward to watching as more African Americans are selected for Flag level and senior enlisted positions. (Pause before conclusion) This month is important. Its important to honor and recognize those who African Americans who have contributed to the shaping and defense of this great nation. Our future is shaped by our past. Black History Month give us the opportunity to learn the stories of those we may not have known much about until now. Its an opportunity to honor the 72,000 black Americans proudly serving our Navy today. And it is an opportunity to salute those black Americans who have stood up and served our country, despite unequal treatment in the past. That, my friends is one of the best examples we have of our Navy code. Honor. Courage. Commitment. 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