by khurst2@gmail.com | Dec 10, 2021 | News, Presidents Msg
Dear Shipmates, Family, and Friends of NNOA,
Season’s Greetings! I wish you good health, great happiness, and much prosperity through the season and into 2022. As I reflect on the many successes of 2021 for our association, I feel nothing but pride for all that we have accomplished, and I have tremendous expectations for the year to come.
This year has been phenomenal for the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) both as an organization and our members. Our membership has grown over the last three years. Our chapters are expanding, with new ones starting across our Sea Services and established ones thriving. Our members are being promoted, recognized, and taking positions of greater responsibility and importance. Our finances are excellent and will get even better as we establish the NNOA Foundation. Active and reserve members are working with Sea Services recruiting personnel to identify eligible candidates for Officer and NROTC programs. Our Career Development program provides mentors and open forums with senior leadership via Zoom to help officers navigate career challenges and milestones. Our veterans support recruiting efforts and have established an outstanding Transition Assistance Team program. Our reputation with leadership across the Sea Services is strong and getting stronger as the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Public Health Service, and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) have all drawn on NNOA for support in growing a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and resilient Officer Corps. Many organizations and entities that support American Sea Power have asked NNOA to collaborate and work with them, increasing our association’s relevance and impact. I could list so much more of what NNOA has done in 2021, but I share these few to give you a sense of our outstanding accomplishments for the year.
As we begin 2022, there are even greater expectations for NNOA. We will celebrate our Golden Anniversary from July 25-29 as NNOA turns 50 years young! Our celebration will be at the place where it all began in Annapolis, Maryland, with an impressive line-up of speakers. More details will come in January. NNOA is deepening its relationship with our civilian Shipmates as Ms. Karen Davis, a Senior Executive Service (SES) in our Navy, has joined our leadership as a Liaison Advisor. Our Career Development Committee will continue to take full advantage of our virtual platform featuring more awesome speakers and mentoring opportunities. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are being planned for several new NNOA chapters, undoubtedly enhancing our mission effectiveness.
In closing, as your President, I ask that each of you to do the following:
- First and foremost, have a blessed holiday season, and please reflect on the many good things we are doing and what is happening with our NNOA Shipmates.
- Second, share the good news of NNOA with your Shipmates, both members and non-members, and with friends and family. Finally, please continue to support our mission of Recruitment, Retention, and Career Development in support of American Sea Power.
Again, I wish you and yours a very happy holiday season!
by khurst2@gmail.com | Dec 2, 2021 | Chaplain, News
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Tis the season to be jolly, and merry is here. We can become enthralled in the commercialism of the holiday season. So often defined by the expectation of expensive gift-giving and receiving. The hustle and bustle of exceeding our limits on items that we will only use once or twice. Worse, never used and thrown into a corner or regifted for next year. This time of year has a different meaning, depending on your faith background. One thing we can all agree on is helping those who need it most. The past two years of still plagued by COIVD have exhausted the resources of many. Some may be physical health, others financial resources, and for a few a combination of both.
The above scripture text is a portion of a more extended parable. In the parable, Jesus used the illustration of what matters the most. It is feeding the hungry, taking care of those who are sick, visiting those who are imprisoned, providing drink for the thirsty, and clothing for those who are naked. The “least of these” whose voice is often lost and ignored. Those who do not have the luxury of being enthralled with the commercialism of the holiday season. But are trying to figure out where their next meal or bed will be.
When we take a moment out of our time and aid the “least of these,” we are following the plan God has designed for us. The blessings given to us are for us to share with others, especially “the least of these.” As we celebrate our faith in our respected traditions, I pray that we take a moment and reflect on the blessings we already have, and we will either volunteer or share with someone in need. Remember the reason for the season.
Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain, United States Navy
by khurst2@gmail.com | Nov 19, 2021 | Announcements, News
Please join us for a great session on Saturday, 20 November with our highly esteemed NNOA Historian, CAPT Rick Wright, Phd.
On Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (EST), the Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Branch of ASALH will celebrate Veterans Day.
Our Veterans Day program will feature Dr. Roosevelt “Rick” Wright, Jr., CAPT USN (RET), Professor Emeritus Radio, Television, and Film at The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. A renowned scholar, Dr. Wright will present his keynote lecture, “The Golden 13: The Navy’s First African American Naval Officers”.
Here is the link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrc-2vrTMsEtSwjKvTmHJsAUeumNEq-qv-
by khurst2@gmail.com | Nov 2, 2021 | News
Torchbearer: a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal
This week, we are recognizing U.S. Naval Officer, Commander Kathryn Wijnaldum as Torchbearer.
According to 11 Alive, Commander Kathryn Wijnaldum recently returned home to the Metro Atlanta area and used her time off from the Military to uplift the youth at her alma mater, Stone Mountain High School. This week, she visited the school’s Navy JROTC program and other students. She encouraged the students to be true to themselves and continue to work hard and persevere.
Commander Wijnaldum knows all too well the benefits of the advice she’s given them. She worked tirelessly to get into the U.S. Naval Academy and later became the commander of the USS Oak Hill, a warship made up of more than 300 personnel on board. Though her journey was not easy, she never gave up and now she’s back home to impart that wisdom onto tomorrow’s future leaders.
“It’s about creating an opportunity for others to do more, achieve more than I did. That pressure birthed a purpose in me that I didn’t even know I had. That pressure identified a gift and talent I brought to the table,” Wijnaldum told 11 Alive.
Commander Wijnaldum credits her family for instilling values of strength and leadership within her from an early age. As a Black woman, Wijnaldum also recognizes the importance of diverse representation in the armed forces and hopes by coming back to her community, that she will inspire others.
“I understand that I represent what they could one day achieve, and when I was in the program, I didn’t have the opportunity to see someone who looked like me who achieved professional success like I have,” Wijnaldum told 11 Alive. “I’m willing to share my journey if it means that I can help someone else achieve what they may believe is impossible.”
DeKalb County commends Commander Kathryn Wijnaldum for her work in giving back to the community and thanks her for her service. To read more about her inspiring story, click here.
Do you know a person or organization who is a DeKalb County Torchbearer? Nominate them to be featured in The Relay.
by khurst2@gmail.com | Nov 2, 2021 | Chaplain, News
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
When Paul wrote the letter to the church of Thessalonica, he opened with being thankful for their faithfulness to his ministry through support, giving, and encouraging one another. He was also grateful to learn how well they were getting along and spreading the gospel. At the end of his letter, Paul provided a word of encouragement. Paul understood that we could grow weary in well-doing. We can begin to grow tired if we do not see a harvest from the seeds we have sown.
Paul tells them to acknowledge those who work hard, admonish, and care for others. “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15. Then he ends the letter with, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
His emphasis is a community with one another. We are not individual islands that are only concerned with ourselves because what we do affects others. We should do our best to live in harmony and love with one another. While striving to strengthen our community relationships, we should give thanks to God in every situation. The good, bad, and the ugly. Job said it best, “how can we only accept the God things from God and not the bad.” All of our experiences make us who we are. Each situation is an opportunity to grow and become better in our relationships with ourselves and one another. As we give thanks this month for all that our Creator has provided, may we also give thanks to those within our communities and families. Let us share the same love that God has given to us. Be grateful in all things.
Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain, United States Navy
