Navy Christens USNS John Lewis

The future USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), the first ship in the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program, was christened July 17 during a ceremony in San Diego.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), served as the principal speaker at the ceremony.

“As House Speaker, I am deeply honored to lead this Congressional delegation of many friends of our beloved late Congressman John Lewis to honor his beautiful and saintly life,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “John Lewis was a warrior for freedom and, as a titan of the civil rights movement, his courage and goodness helped transformed our nation. In the halls of the Capitol, he was fearless in his pursuit of a more perfect union, whether fighting to defend voting rights, end anti-LGBTQ discrimination or respect the dignity and worth of every person.”

Following Pelosi, the ship's sponsor, Alfre Woodard Spencer spoke briefly about the ship's namesake.

John Lewis “lives in the unalterable truths he spoke to power," said Spencer. "John Lewis lives in all those spaces where people reach out their hands to pull others up to the lives that they deserve. And now he lives in the name and the embodiment of this mighty sailing vessel and its mission of fortifying and sustaining those who have committed themselves to the service of our nation.” Following her remarks, Spencer christened the ship with the traditional champagne bottle break alongside the hull.

Additional remarks were provided by U.S. Navy representatives, Mr. Marcus Tyner, nephew of the ship’s namesake.“The christening ceremony today takes on a very special meaning, for it marks the one-year anniversary, to the day, of John Lewis’ passing.” said Carver. “Just as its namesake, this majestic vessel will be instrumental in shaping the future of our Nation. The shipbuilders of NASSCO are proud to ensure Congressman John Lewis’ legacy will live on in this ship.”

The USNS John Lewis is a 742-foot-long vessel designed to transfer fuel to US Navy carrier strike group ships operating at sea, the Navy said.

It is the first replenishment oil ship in its class, and it will be operated by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The rest of the six ships in its class will also be named after civil rights leaders.

Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle just became the U.S. Navy's first Black female fighter pilot

The U.S. Navy has its first Black female tactical jet pilot.

Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle recently completed the service's Tactical Air (Strike) training program in the T-45C Goshawk, the Navy announced Friday.

The milestone makes Swegle, a Naval Academy graduate, the first known Black woman who has been certified for the TACAIR mission, and she could go on to fly fighters such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler or F-35C Joint Strike Fighter.

The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) congratulated Swegle on her achievement via Twitter.

"Swegle is the @USNavy's first known Black female TACAIR pilot and will receive her Wings of Gold later this month. HOOYAH!" the post states.

[SOURCE: MILITARY.COM]

Samuel Lee Gravely Jr: First African American to command a U.S. Navy ship

Samuel Lee Gravely Jr., June 4, 1922 – October 22, 2004) was a United States Navy officer. In 1961, he became the first African-American officer to command a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Theodore E. Chandler (DD-717). When he took command of the destroyer escort USS Falgout (DE-324) in January 1962, he was the first African-American officer to command a combat ship. During the Vietnam War he commanded the destroyer USS Taussig (DD-746) as it performed plane guard duty and gunfire support off the coast of Vietnam in 1966, making him the first African American to lead a ship into combat.

He was also the first African American in the U.S. Navy to become a fleet commander, and the first to become a flag officer, retiring as a vice admiral.

Gravely's military decorations include the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two service stars, the United Nations Korea Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

In Richmond, the street on which Gravely grew up was renamed "Admiral Gravely Boulevard" in 1977. The destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107), commissioned in 2010, was named in his honor.

African-American veterans monument in Buffalo will be first in U.S.

Buffalo is expected to receive national attention soon, for the construction of a monument that will be the first of its kind in the country.

Karen Stanley Fleming, the board chair of the Michigan Street African American Corridor, says that this monument will be "an incredible addition to Buffalo's interpretation of African-American history."

State officials announced this morning at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park that the state will provide $800,000 toward the construction of the African-American veterans monument there. The monument will be the first and only in the U.S., to honor black soldiers that fought in every American war to date.

New York State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, who announced the grant along with state Sen. Chris Jacobs, R-Buffalo, said organizers hope to raise $1 million more by Veterans Day toward the construction of the 12-pillar structure.

"The purpose here is just to honor veterans," Peoples-Stokes said.

The monument will be an interactive, timeline walk of every American conflict in which black soldiers fought, between the Revolutionary War and the War in Afghanistan. Visitors will be able to observe the 12 10-foot tall and 3-feet wide pillars that represent each conflict, along with educational kiosks that will detail African-American involvement in each war.

Historian Madeline Scott said that the idea for creating the monument started when she and the Erie County Chapter of The Links Inc. began collecting names of deceased and living African-American veterans in 2016.

"The purpose [of the monument] is to recognize the hardships [black people] went through from the beginning," said Scott, "because history doesn't tell you about that until 1863."

The project has an anticipated budget of $1.4 million, which includes upkeep and management costs, according to monument committee chairman Warren Galloway. The committee hopes to implement technology within the monument that will work through a smartphone app, to allow visitors to explore the monument all while having the information at their fingertips. To raise additional money, the committee is selling commemorative bricks that will be laid on the ground surface of the monument.

"With these bricks," said Galloway, "you can walk and see the impact African-Americans have had in this whole area."

Galloway says that the Buffalo monument committee has been working with Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and a host of U.S. senators to get the future monument nationally recognized. He says that although the monument is meant to honor veterans, it can be used as a teaching tool, which he believes will increase the chances of it becoming a national landmark.

"We're honoring our veterans but this is also educational," said Galloway, "so we want to attract educational money."

Organizers announced they expect to break ground on Veterans Day and have the ribbon-cutting some time around the Fourth of July in 2019.

The unveiling of the monument is expected to gain national attention and serve as what Fleming says is "a good starting place to learn about African-American history."

[SOURCE: THE BUFFALO NEWS]

Navy honors 102-year-old vet, black pioneer

The Navy recognized a 102-year-old World War II veteran Thursday by inaugurating a new barracks in his name, a rare honor for a living recipient.

From his wheelchair, retired Chief Steward Andy Mills waved to the sailors attending the ceremony Thursday at the naval base, in Coronado, California, near San Diego. Mills told reporters softly before the ceremony that he was overjoyed by the honor.

"Oh beautiful," he told reporters when asked to describe how he felt seeing the barracks in his name, shaking his head side to side. "That's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen so far." He added moments later: "I think I have a lot of friends."

One of the maritime branch's first black chiefs, Mills risked his life for the service despite facing discrimination in a then-segregated Navy.

In 1942, Mills volunteered to board the USS Yorktown after it was attacked by the Japanese during the Battle of Midway. He cracked open a safe containing documents and bills on the heavily damaged ship. He and a paymaster stuffed them in a suitcase, got a rope and lowered it down off the ship before the Japanese attacked again, destroying the Yorktown and the USS Hammann next to it.

Capt. Stephen Barnett met Mills two years ago at an event in San Diego and said he was so moved by the man and what he had done that he wanted to honor him and have young sailors learn about the inspiring chief.

"He wasn't treated like his shipmates but it never stopped him from his duty — a duty he carried out with courage, honor and commitment — and that remains a cornerstone of his character now," Barnett told the crowd at the ceremony.

Mills vividly recalled to reporters one of the officers saying "but I need one of those black boys over there" to go back on board the ship after it had been attacked by the Japanese. Mills, one of two African American sailors on the ship, agreed to go.

When the paymaster accompanying him could not open the safe on the USS Yorktown, Mills asked if he could have a go at it.

"Click. I went up there and turned it. Click," he said, grinning. "Money fell all out of it."

Family friend Deborah Thompson, of San Diego, said it meant so much to his family to see him finally honored for his bravery.

"It brought tears to our eyes," she said as she held on to the back of Mills' wheelchair.

The barracks will house 934 sailors. Carrying their seabags on their backs, some of the sailors gathered around Mills for a photo in front of Andrew Mills Hall.

[SOURCE: NEWSTIMES]

US Navy ship to be named after Sojourner Truth

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced Sept. 19, that the next ships of the next generation of fleet replenishment oilers will be named USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) and USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210).

Both T-AO 209 and T-AO 210 are part of the John Lewis-class of ships named in honor of U.S. civil and human rights heroes.

"It is important to recognize and honor those who have strived to fulfill the promise laid out in our Constitution - 'to form a more perfect union," said Mabus, "those who fought--in a different way--for the ideals we cherish as a nation: justice, equality and freedom. Both Lucy Stone and Sojourner Truth fought relentlessly for all human rights."

Lucy Stone, a native of West Brookfield, Massachusetts, was a prominent 19th-century abolitionist, suffragist and a vocal advocate for women's rights.

Stone convened the first National Women's Rights Convention and assisted in establishing the Woman's National Loyal League to help pass the 13th Amendment and abolish slavery, after which she helped form the American Woman Suffrage Association, an organization dedicated to winning women the right to vote.

Sojourner Truth was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, she escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826.

Born Isabella Baumfree, she gave herself the name Sojourner Truth in 1843.

Widely recognized as a great orator and advocate of civil rights and equality for all, Truth died in 1883 at the age of 86.

The future USNS Lucy Stone and USNS Sojourner Truth will be operated by Military Sealift Command and provide underway replenishment of fuel and stores to U.S. Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. Construction is expected to begin on the Lucy Stone in 2021 and on the Sojourner Truth in 2022.

Veterans show support for Colin Kaepernick #VeteransForKaepernick

By George L. Cook III, proud U.S. Army Veteran. AfricanAmericanReports.Com [EMAIL]

Don't tell conservatives but many veterans like myself were not upset by Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the national anthem. Many of us understand that we served so that Kaepernick would have the right to not stand during the anthem. I and other veterans served not to tell others what they can and can't say but to defend their right to say it. Here are the tweets of several veterans in support of Colin Kaepernick:

I served so that #ColinKapernick has the choice to sit or stand during the national anthem #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/PHhjmUzhkr

— George Cook (@AAReports) August 31, 2016

#VeteransForKaepernick 8 years served for the Freedom of Speech. 0 years served to protect police brutality.

— Clint Silva (@GremLegend) August 31, 2016

@Kaepernick7 I served 25yrs in the AF to protect everyone's 1st Amend rights. I support you #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/sgEdir8WGf"

— RTED.ORG (@RTED2016) August 31, 2016

Because we demand our country protect all its citizens equally. THAT is what I defended! #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/xOqLAO0b1f

— Robert Young (@robertcyoung) August 31, 2016

I don't agree with all of his points, but I'll fight to the death for his right to say it. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/0jeFlIv5RX

— Isaac wright (@I_Zac33) August 31, 2016

I was a Black man before my service and will still be a Black man when I'm done #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Sjm8Laq9fB

— Dominique Thorpe (@GenuinelySpoken) August 31, 2016

I serve for his right to protest.. I don't serve for Police Brutality.. #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/Q6GUNTwHDO

— Airbnb Papi (@JoeOnDemand) August 31, 2016

By George L. Cook III, proud U.S. Army Veteran. AfricanAmericanReports.Com [EMAIL]

Michelle Howard gets 4th star, becomes first female admiral in the US Navy

[SOURCE] At a ceremony, held at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, Michelle Howard became the first woman to make four-star admiral. On Tuesday afternoon, she will assume duties as the vice chief of naval operations making her the Navy's number two officer.

Watch the promotion ceremony below:

Military to review hair rules after complaints from black women.

[ SOURCE ] The military is reviewing its new regulations involving soldiers' appearance following criticism that the hair requirement is racially biased.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby says Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will make whatever adjustments to the policy are appropriate after the review.

The Army earlier this month issued new appearance standards that ban most twists, dreadlocks and large cornrows. Those are all styles used predominantly by African-American women with natural hairstyles. Sixteen female members of the Congressional Black Caucus wrote to Hagel calling the changes "discriminatory rules targeting soldiers who are women of color."

Kirby says Hagel will have the deputy secretary of defense "work with the service secretaries and military chiefs to review their respective policies" over the next three months.