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    Stennis Commemorates Black History Month

    PACIFIC OCEAN

    02.20.2019

    Story by Seaman Skyler Okerman 

    USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

    Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) commemorated Black History Month while underway, Feb. 20.

    The John C. Stennis’ Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee (MCHC) hosted the event, which celebrated African-American culture with musical performances, dances, readings and a cake-cutting ceremony on the ship’s mess decks.

    “Black history month is not about people coming together to have a good time or holding barbeques, it’s about the founders before us,” said Yeoman 3rd Class Artavius Balloon, from Tampa, Florida, a dancer at the event. “The people before us paved the way for not only African-Americans, but everybody of every color to go and excel. They gave us freedom, success, and the will to go ahead and become better as a whole. To me, it’s about honoring those who sacrificed to make it possible for us to be successful.”

    Sailors were given the chance to perform in front of their command, showcasing their pride and support of their heritage.

    “This event was almost therapeutic to me, not only did I get to showcase my voice to the command and attendees, but also to represent this month and what it means to me,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Ross McCray, from Jacksonville, Florida, who sang a song to honor the event. “Just being here overall this event was joyful, and I’m happy I was involved.”

    The commemoration’s success was due to everyone involved, MCHC members and attendees.

    “People grew up in different parts of the world, and this event brings awareness of the culture to everyone”, said Senior Chief Ship’s Serviceman Elizabeth Leon, from Miami, the event coordinator for the MCHC. “As long as [the MCHC] educated somebody, or someone took away something from today, it means we have accomplished the job we came to do.”

    The Navy is comprised of more than 300,000 active duty and reserve Sailors from a multitude of ethnicities, backgrounds, and nations. Celebrating diversity and embracing the differences makes the Navy a strong, cohesive fighting force.

    The John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

    For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.20.2019
    Date Posted: 02.23.2019 02:47
    Story ID: 311760
    Location: PACIFIC OCEAN

    Web Views: 69
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN