June 2018

Greetings NNOA Family,

Welcome to the Jubilant month of June! This month we celebrate and honor our faithful Fathers, whose shoulders we stand upon and without their thoughtful words of encouragement and prayers many of us would not be where we are today. I remember growing up seeing my Father leaving for work very early in the morning and returning right before supper. He was a hard working man. He worked with his hands, and I honor those hands for they are the ones which shaped me and gave my siblings and I the education and opportunities a generation before us never imagined. In 1996 scholar and author David Blankenhorn asked a question, “Where are all the Fathers?” He proceeded to answer this question in a book entitled “Fatherless America, Confronting our most urgent social problem.” In the book he chronicles the shift in American family lifestyle and values with the movement and momentum of the women’s rights movement combined with illustrating several types of Fathers. I am reminded of a verse “ He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.” – Malachi 4:6. The minor prophet shared this oracle to remind them of the importance of family values and family relationships. All relationships begin with the blueprint of our familiar family dynamic.“Fathers play a unique and important role in the lives of their children. As mentor, protector, and provider, a Father fundamentally influences the shape and direction of his child’s character by giving love, care, discipline, and guidance. As we observe Father’s Day, our nation honors fatherhood and urges fathers to commit themselves selflessly to the success and well-being of their children. And we reaffirm the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Raising a child requires significant time, effort, and sacrifice; and it is one of the most hopeful and fulfilling experiences a man can ever know. A father can derive great joy from seeing his child grow from infancy to adulthood. As a child matures into independence and self reliance, the value of a parent’s hard work, love, and commitment comes to fruition. Responsible fatherhood is important to a healthy and civil society. Numerous studies confirm that children whose fathers are present and involved in their lives are more likely to develop into prosperous and healthy adults. Children learn by example; and they need their father’s presence as examples of virtue in their daily lives. A child’s sense of security can be greatly enhanced by seeing his parents in a loving and faithful marriage.” —President George W. Bush

Fathers help shape our sacred journey. Their imperfet and delicate handprint in nestled within the fiber of our being, a fact from which we can never escape. There is liberty in knowing that regardless of what our relationships are with our Fathers that God is our Heavenly Father who declared “before you were formed in your Mother’s womb, I knew you and loved you.” Happy Father’s Day, you are Loved!

Fathers Hands-
Little ones need you
Little did you know
How quick time flies
How quick little ones grow
Five
15
25
Your voice sung alphabets and numbers
Hung the moon, stars and aligned planets
Taught me how to box, bike and tread water
Please do not let little hands go
For little hands are connected to big hearts
That forever need your hands to hold. – AMEN

Kimberly Cain, NNOA Chaplain

May 2018

Greetings NNOA Family & Friends,

Welcome to the fabulous month of May!  During this month we celebrate Mothers, and the valuable wisdom of the Elders.  I often recall words patiently spoken from my Mother, her unwavering faith in God and deep conviction that everyone’s voice mattered and held a measure of truth.  How can we experience the fullness of life or celebrate our personhood without being able to effectively communicate?  The goal of communication is to convey information from one person or group to another.  Daily communication is necessary in doing our job and succeeding in healthy relationships, however it is hard to hear a message if we allow negative energy to filter out the essence of the message.  People with high emotional intelligence perceive, understand and manage emotions even in stressful situations.  This helps them use their communication skills to interact effectively with others.  They are also generally able to make well thought out decisions and stick with them until the task they are working toward is complete, because they know what they want; they have a clear vision and clear goals and have clearly communicated these things to others.  As we approach Mother’s Day, recall the lessons of the elders.  I can still hear my Mother recite Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Speak words that build bridges allowing healing waters to flow.

If we are peaceful.
If we are happy.
We can smile and blossom
Like a flower.
And everyone
In our family,
Our entire society
Will benefit
From our Peace- Thich Nhat Hanh

Rev. Kimberly Cain, NNOA Chaplain

April 2018

Greetings Family,

Welcome to the month of April! Did you know that your local NNOA Chapter is in full swing with our annual membership drive? We encourage all members to invite others to meetings, local events and training opportunities. NNOA is an organization built on relationships of integrity and trust. I re-member hearing about NNOA in 2006 while stationed in Okinawa Japan. The chapter was very active and they held mentoring or training opportunities regularly. I remember being in a training session one even, which Lieutenant General Ronald Bailey was the guest speaker. I was a Lieutenant at the time, but I still remember his passion and commitment to excellence. Most importantly, I remember him staying after the meeting was over to answer questions and speak one on one with junior officers. That made me feel like a valuable part of the Sea Service community. The fact that the highest ranking officer on the island was spending his evening with a group of junior officers, pouring into us and shaping our lives. After that meeting I became a life member of NNOA.

It is good to remember what brought you into this organization and why you continue to stay. How is your commitment level? Are you working in the vineyard of NNOA? Investing your time talents by sharing your story with others.
We use to sing a song growing up in Church. It is a song charging us to re-member the waters and fire of our baptism.

Take me back
Take me back dear lord
To the place where I first received you
Take me back
Take me back dear lord where I
First believed

I invite you to think back to your introduction to NNOA. Remember the good work our organization continues to do around the globe and remain involved. God Speed!

Rev. Kimberly Cain, NNOA Chaplain

March 2018

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” – Proverbs 31: 29-31

February 2018

Greetings NNOA Family and Friends,

Welcome to the fabulous month of February! During this month we observe African American history and celebrate the contributions African Americans have made in the United States and throughout the world. NNOA is a champion for diversity. Our association was birthed during a critical time in our Nation’s history. Throughout the history of the United States until the end of World War I, the Navy had enlisted African Americans for general service. Minority men were barred from joining from 1919 to 1932. From 1893 onwards, African Americans could only join the Navy’s Messman’s and Steward’s branches, which not only segregated African Americans from the rest of Naval Service, but also precluded them from becoming commissioned officers. In January 1944 the Navy began an accelerated 2 month officer training course at Camp Robert Small for 16 African American men. Although all 16 men passed the course only 12 were commissioned March 1944. They were John Walter Reagan, Jesse Walter Arbor,Samuel David Jones, Darion Damon Ivy III, Graham Edward Martin, Philip George Barnes, Reginald Goodwin, James Edward Hair, Samuel Edward Barnes, George Clinton Cooper, William Sylvester White, and Dennis Denmark Nelson were all commissioned Ensigns; Charles Byrd Lear was appointed as a Warrant Officer. The first African American Naval Officers are known as “The Golden Thirteen.” Their legacy remains forever etched in Naval history. May we always remember those who broke barriers; We owe them our solemn gratitude for playing such a vital role in transforming the culture in the United States Navy. Innovative leadership is enhanced by diversity and synching brilliant, talented leadership with challenging opportunities. Now in 2018 we gather together in the Spirit of Diversity and unity to sing:

God of our weary years
God of our silent tears
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way
Thou who hast by Thy might
Led us into the light
Keep us forever in the path, we pray
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee
Shadowed beneath Thy hand
May we forever stand
True to our God
True to our native land

Rev. Kimberly Cain,
NNOA Chaplain