Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Whitley | 190320-N-PX867-1018 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 20, 2019) Female Sailors and Marines aboard...... read more read more
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PACIFIC OCEAN – Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) held a ceremony in observance of Women’s History Month on the mess decks, March 27.
The theme of the event was “Fearless Women, Dedicated with Unwavering Valor”, commemorating the contributions and advancement of women throughout history and in the Navy.
The ceremony included a speech from Boxer’s Command Master Chief Veronica Holliday. Holliday told the story of how, through hard work and perseverance, she overcame every challenge that she and many other women have faced.
“It’s a pretty awesome feeling that in my journey I have been blessed with great leaders, mentors, Sailors and Marines,” said Holliday. “Don’t let the bad moments define who you are nor who you will become. I am living proof that even when you have bad moments in life you can overcome them and use them to educate others on how to get through their tough times. I ask all of you that as you are confronted by obstacles and challenges in life, push through them, go around them. Please do not give up.”
U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Felicia Contreras, assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) also spoke about the significance of the event itself, being able to celebrate women’s history aboard a naval warship.
“This is an awesome privilege to be here in this open forum,” said Contreras. “Our sisters before us would be very proud that we have the opportunity to do this and that we are acknowledging that we can do this aboard this vessel.”
Today, women in the Navy serve in every rank and in every job. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Carissa Tubman, assigned to Boxer, believes it’s the outstanding things women in the military do every day that have elevated them to the status they are at today.
“It speaks to me because it takes ordinary women [such as] mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and it shows that we can do the one thing that people think we are not capable of doing, and we do it with elegance, pride, and commitment all at once,” said Tubman.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Danielle Grimshaw, assigned to the 11th MEU, compared how women have not only adapted, but thrived in the military today.
“Too often women desire to go unnoticed,” said Grimshaw. “They live their lives avoiding their desires, their wants and their needs based on what people think they should be. Women in the military don’t have that problem. We train and we fight just like anyone else. We’re strong and we’re committed.”
Senior Chief Navy Counselor Sara Waggoner, assigned to Boxer, shared her thoughts on how the impact and recognition of women in the military has inspired her from the beginning of her career.
“Women have played a key role in the accomplishments of the United States military and it makes me proud to serve. No role is too little and everyone serves a purpose,” said Waggoner. “We all share the common goal of protecting our freedom. As the military has evolved to appreciate women serving in the most challenging positions, we bring to the fight, sacrifice, strength and courage.”
Boxer’s diversity committee hosted the ceremony and is dedicated to highlighting the strengths of a diverse warfighting force by hosting similar events throughout the year.
Boxer is underway conducting routine operations as a part of USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
For more news from USS Boxer (LHD 4) visit http://www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.
| Date Taken: | 03.27.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2019 00:00 |
| Story ID: | 316314 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 788 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fearless Women, Dedicated with Unwavering Valor, by PO2 Dale Hopkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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