Announcements
Please submit your announcement requests no later than 30 days prior to the event. Announcements from and about financial members of the NNOA are given priority.
Job Opening – W P DAVIDSON HIGH SCHOOL
Farewell Captain Lee T. Womack, Sr., USN (Ret.)
March 11, 1947 – March 9, 2021
It is with great sadness that I inform the members of NNOA about the passing of Captain Lee T. Womack, Sr., USN (Ret.). Captain Womack served as President of NNOA from 1993 to 1995.
Thank you to all of the NNOA members for their condolences. My family appreciates the support. Angela (Captain Womack’s daughter)
Services:
Temple & Sons, Service: 11:00 am, Friday March 19, Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2140 N. Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73111
SECRETARY LLOYD J AUSTIN, III MESSAGE TO THE FORCE
DOWNLOAD MEMO
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, published his Message to the Force, which committed to ensuring that the Department develops the right people, priorities, and purpose of mission to continue to defend the Nation from enemies foreign and domestic.
Secretary Austin provided his top three priorities and specific areas of focus:
1. Defend the Nation
— Defeat COVID-19
— Prioritize China as the Pacing Challenge
— Address Advanced and Persistent Threats
— Innovate and Modernize the DoD
— Tackle the Climate Crisis
2. Take care of our people
— Grow our Talent
— Build Resilience and Readiness
— Ensure Accountable Leadership
3. Succeed through teamwork
— Join Forces with our Allies and Partners
— Work in Partnership with Our Nation
— Build Unity Within the DoD
Secretary Austin reiterated the need for resources matched to strategy, strategy matched to policy, and policy matched to the will of the American people.
The Secretary closed the message by thanking the women and men of the Department of Defense for their service to the country and commitment to the security of the Nation.
Pass the Word! 8th Annual Gravely Celebration Experience Essay Contest
Pass the Word! 8th Annual Gravely Celebration Experience Essay Contest is in progress. Eligible high school students are invited to participate in an essay contest where winners receive scholarships that range from $250 to $500.
Deadline is April 16, 2021
Go to www.gravelyexperience.org or essaycontest@labattleship.com for information.
Black Lacrosse Stories: Syd “The Squid” Abernethy
(Photo Courtesy of The United States Naval Academy)
*This article is part of a month long series, Black Lacrosse Stories, that highlights Black players and coaches who have made an impact on our game, but may be lesser known to many younger players today.*
Everybody knows Jim Brown as being the first Black player to earn First Team All-American honors in DI lacrosse in 1957. But who was the second? The answer to that question would be Syd “The Squid” Abernethy who played at Navy from 1978-81 and earned the nickname “The Squid” for his signature head and shoulder fake.
A native of Annapolis, Md. and a product of Annapolis High School, where he played for Johns Hopkins alum Dave Roberts and was a high school All-American, Abernethy chose to stay home and follow his brother, Tom, down the street to the United States Naval Academy. While there, he played for Hall of Fame coach Dick Szlasa and despite following and playing with some of the best attackmen in Navy history, would leave a legacy of his own as one of the best at the position in program history.
During his freshman season in 1978, Navy went 11-3 and fell in the semifinals to Cornell. Abernethy didn’t see much clock and ended the season with just six points (4G/2A). But for the next three seasons he would start at attack for Navy and put numbers that still have him sitting as No. 12 all-time in career points in the history of Navy lacrosse.
Supporting the recruitment of a more diverse officer corps
Dear NNOA Shipmates,
Supporting the recruitment of a more diverse officer corps continues to be one of the three primary missions of the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA). Along with improving retention and supporting career development, NNOA is focused on providing support across the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, MARAD, NOAA, and USPHS in meeting their goals for a more inclusive and diverse force. Recently, the Chief of Navy Recruiting, RDML Dennis Velez reached out to NNOA requesting we help his recruiting commands in a near-term effort to attract more young men and women into commissioning programs. I ask that each of you redouble your efforts in advocating for our Sea Services with the young people you mentor and support. You may be serving as judges in Science Fair Competitions, mentoring students in STEM, or providing counsel about opportunities after high school. In whatever way you desire, please consider actively having the conversation with young people getting ready for college and their influencers (e.g., parents, teachers, etc.,).
Please reach out to guidance counselors at local schools in your area to see how best you can serve. You may also consider serving on our Recruiting and Accessions Committee. We are happy to host virtual mentoring sessions with your help. The primary contact is LCDR Koa Thomas, USN, at nnoa.recruiting@gmail.com. Several of our members are currently serving at Navy Recruiting Command. They are standing by to provide support.
Additionally, Navy Recruiting Command can provide informational material for parents, influencers, etc, and their diversity team is willing and able to travel anytime. Please reach out to CDR Howard Bryant at howard.bryant@navy.mil or CDR DJ Jackson at dominique.jackson3@navy.mil to request information or schedule Navy Recruiting support!
Now is a great time for NNOA to make an impact in support of our youth and our Sea Services.
Very respectfully,
RADM SM Harris, USN(Ret)
President, NNOA
president@nnoa.org
http://WWW.NNOA.ORG
Virtual Hall of Fame Induction – Vice Admiral Edward Moore, Jr., USN (RET.)
San Diego Chapter Speed Mentoring – JAN 21, 2021
NNOA Jacksonville Chapter MLK Virtual Celebration – 1-15-2021
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemorative Program
Come Join Us for the
2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Virtual Program
on Thursday, January 14, 2021,
Via Zoom
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET)
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Keynote Speaker, Rear Admiral Julius S. Caesar USN (Ret.)
Ephraim and Ebban Dorsey, Youth Artists and Musicians Extraordinaire
And So Much More!
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CMS (OEOCR) and BIG in Partnership!
Email: CMSChapterBIG@cms.hhs.gov
The CMS Chapter of Blacks in Government
And The
Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights
Invites You To The
2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Virtual Program
The 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program will be held virtually via Zoom on Thursday, January 14, 2021, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET). The program is free this year! The program will feature musical selections by two dynamic youth artists – Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey and Keynote Speaker, Rear Admiral Julius S. Caesar USN (Ret.). The program will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. (ET).
Thursday, January 14, 2021
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Zoom Link
Closed Captioning Link
For additional information, please contact Alethia Lucky, President, CMS Chapter of Blacks In Government, at (410) 786-6641 or Rachena Webb, MLK Program Chairperson, at (410) 786-4315. You may also send an email directly to the CMS Chapter of Blacks In Government.
Sign Language interpreters will be provided. If you require additional reasonable accommodations, please contact Yolanda Johnson, Employee Resource Group Coordinator, Affirmative Employment Group, Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, at (410) 786-9377. Prior supervisory approval is required if attending during work hours.
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