In 1976, pieces of American history that had been forgotten by many were reintroduced into the minds of all Americans when the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, officially recognized February as Black (African-American) History Month. He called upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
This African-American History Month, sailors stationed at Navy Recruiting District Raleigh recognized the accomplishments of two African-American trailblazers, Retired Master Chief Petty Officers Carl Brashear and April D. Beldo.
In 1955 Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear broke through racial barriers to became the Navy’s first African-American salvage diver. During a mission in 1966, he famously risked his life trying to retrieve a hydrogen bomb in 2500 feet of water. Brashear went on to become a first-class diver and later became the Navy’s first African-American Master Diver, the highest designation a Navy Diver can attain. The popular movie Men of Honor was inspired by his life.
Petty Officer 1st Class Maurice McQueen, Command Career Counselor at NRD Raleigh, does not have to face the same racial discrimination that MCPO Brashear endured, thanks to the sacrifices made by Brashear and sailors like him. As Petty Officer McQueen celebrated African-American History Month, he recalled how the life of MCPO Brashear inspired him to join the Navy in 2004.
“I joined the Navy, because I was inspired by the movie Men of Honor and Master Chief Carl Brashear’s journey through his trials and tribulations and how he overcame what was put in front of him during his time in the Navy. That inspired me to join, not because I wanted to go through the same things, but because I saw someone struggle so that my life could be better when I joined the Navy.”
In Proclamation 5443-National Black (Afro-American) History Month, 1986, Ronald Reagan, the nation’s 40th President stated, “The foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.”
Still, today, not everyone is aware of the contributions African-Americans have made to the United States. This lack of awareness is particularly prevalent as it relates to the accomplishments of African American service members. The celebration of African-American History Month in the Navy is meant to inspire all sailors and ensures that the accomplishments of brave African-American sailors are included in broader discussions of Navy History.
“When I was going to school, growing up, we learned about Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks-the big figures in Black history”, recalled McQueen. “We never learned about people like Master Chief Carl Brashear. I remember in February 2005 we had a Black History Month celebration at my first duty station. Learning about Black military history has impacted me greatly. Just knowing that someone fought and went through hard times for me to be able to have the privilege to serve in the Navy. It is an honor. I think about it everyday that I wake up and put on my uniform.”
Master Chief Petty Officer April D. Beldo made her mark in history by becoming the first African-American female CMC of an aircraft carrier when assigned to USS Carl Vinson and the first female and African-American force master chief (FORCM) for Naval Education and Training Command. She retired from the Navy in January of 2017 after 34 years of honorable service. The Navy’s current commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all sailors is made evident by the accomplishments of Master Chief Beldo. Upholding the core values of the Navy, Honor, Courage, and Commitment, she is a positive role-model for sailors like Petty Officer 2nd Class Brittany Brown.
PO2 Brown, Leads Production Team Assistant at NRD Raleigh, expressed her admiration for Master Chief Beldo and hopes to follow in her footsteps.
“My first impression of MCPO Beldo is that she’s a go-getter,” says Brown. “She is definitely someone who is very persistent and passionate about what she does. She seemed very willing to make a difference.
When asked if she could ever imagine herself in MCPO Beldo’s position, Brown said, yes, though the task would be challenging. Brown also acknowledged that when she joined the Navy in 2010, opportunities were more accessible to her than they would have been in the 1980’s, when MCPO Beldo joined the Navy.
“I can’t say that I could have walked in her shoes and accomplish what she did, joining the Navy back then. But now, in today’s Navy, I can. It would be amazing to make it to Master Chief. I can definitely see myself in Master Chief Beldo’s position one day. I just have to stay focused and do everything in my power to make myself a better sailor and be there for other sailors, like she did. I think the most important thing to take from the experience of MCPO Beldo is that you have to have perseverance. You have to know what you want and be willing to work for it.”
Celebrating National African-American History Month in the Navy is a learning experience for sailors of all ethnic backgrounds. For Brown, the celebration also called to mind the importance of leaving a military legacy that her son can be proud of.
“The reminder that every February is African American History Month is a reminder to all sailors and all Americans that there is so much more to learn,” said Brown. “I want my son to know that if he decides to join the military, he belongs there and the way he fights for his country will be no different from the way anyone else of another race or culture fights. He will be part of something much bigger than himself.”
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2017 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 224232 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Hometown: | BALTIMORE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | CHERAW, SC, US |
| Hometown: | RALEIGH, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 75 |
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This work, Sailors at NRD Raleigh are Inspired During African-American History Month, by MSgt Tamara Dabney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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