Dear NNOA Family,
It is with great sadness that I announce the sudden and unexpected passing of LTCol Larry Hicks, USA on 26 February 2022. Colonel Hicks was the husband of Captain Lynne Hicks, USN
Burial at Arlington Cemetery to be determined at a later date.
Larry Hicks Obituary (2022) – Fairfax, DC – The Washington Post
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/larry-hicks-obituary?id=33399124
Dear NNOA Family,
It is with great sadness that I send the news of Mrs. Mildred Brewer passing. Mrs. Brewer was the mother of one of our long time champions Vice Admiral David Brewer, US Navy, Retired. Mrs. Brewer lived a very full and productive life and was less than a month from celebrating her 102nd birthday. Mrs. Brewer lived a life of purpose that included service as an elementary school teacher for almost 50 years. The Brewer family legacy of service continues in the scholarship foundation they established.
To commemorate her legacy, the Brewer Family will be asking those inclined to donate to a college scholarship & elementary school empowerment fund taught in four Title One schools. As soon as more details are available, we will pass them via NNOA social media and email.
Please join me in sending our prayers and thoughts to VADM David Brewer and his family.
V/R, Sinclair Harris, RADM USN Retired, President, NNOA
BETHESDA, Md. (7News DC) – Iconic Tuskegee Airman and Brigadier General Charles E. McGee passed away Sunday at the age of 102.
In a statement, McGee’s family said the general died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning. The Bethesda native was the oldest living Tuskegee Airman pilot.
It is with great sadness that I let our NNOA Family know of the passing of Commander Merle Smith, the first African American to graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy. More will be shared and I know your prayers and thoughts are welcomed by his family.
It is with great sadness that I inform you that CDR Merle James Smith, USCG (retired), passed away on June 16th, 2021 in New London, CT. As many of you know, CDR Smith is the namesake of the Eclipse Legacy Coalitions “Merle J. Smith Eclipse Legacy Endowment,” which was established in 2017. Merle J. Smith was the second African American to receive an appointment to the Academy and the first to graduate in June of 1966. He was characterized as an excellent CGA Cadet, excelling with hard work in the classroom, in the barracks and on the football field. CDR Smith Served as the Commanding Officer of a Patrol Boat during the Vietnam War and achieved his Juris Doctor, becoming a licensed attorney in 1974, all before being assigned to the Coast Guard Academy law faculty in 1975. It was then that LT Smith’s impact at CGA would become legendary as a teacher, mentor and coach. He served as the Class Advisor for the class of 1977, as an assistant football coach under the great Otto Graham and was an inspirational example for many of the young cadets to follow. Including the class of 1978’s VADM Manson Brown, USCG (ret), who would tout “LT Smith modeled for us what we could become in the Coast Guard. As such, he added to our motivation to stay and do the hard work necessary to thrive at the Academy.”
There is so much more to learn and remember about CDR Merle J. Smith, and the Eclipse Legacy Coalition will provide more details as time goes. However, for a couple of great reads on CDR Smith’s legacy please read:
CDR Pickrum was an early NNOA member and supporter. He was the first USCG Academy grad to earn the “Navy Wings of Gold” and played a major roll in mentoring other aviators in and out of uniform. CDR Pikrum was one of the key supporters in bringing the Coast Guard to the table for NNOA.
Arlene Turner-Magee attended Southern University A&M College while on NROTC Scholarship. She was commissioned in the US Navy in May 1985. She was stationed in San Diego (Coronado), CA then New Orleans, LA. She was retired on active duty in 1991 after a tragic car accident that left her a paralyzed. She leaves behind three children, her father, a sister and a brother.
A Celebration Service honoring the Life and Spirit of Arlene MaGee, USN (Retired) LT/0-3 at US Navy of Atlanta, Georgia formerly of Pensacola, Florida was held Saturday, April 10, 2021, 2:00 p. m. at New Life Tabernacle Church of God In Christ, 715 Cleveland Avenue, SE Atlanta, Georgia; Bishop J. E. Hogan, officiating. Interment, Georgia National Cemetery. Remains will lie in repose from 12:00 noon until the hour of service. Survivors are three children, Brandon Bolden, Ashley Bolden and Elisha MaGee; parents, Archie (Beverly) Turner, Sr.; sister, Cynthia (Lorenzo) Robinson; brother, Archie Turner, Jr.; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the church at 1:30p.m.
