Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Carter Radke | PACIFIC OCEAN (June 19, 2023) – U.S. Navy Capt. Brian Schrum, commanding officer of...... read more read more
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PACIFIC OCEAN - The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) held a ceremony observing the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth, June 19, 2023.
The ceremony, held on the ship’s enlisted mess decks, featured a brief look into the history of Juneteenth, poem readings and remarks from three key note speakers, including Capt. Brian Schrum, Theodore Roosevelt’s commanding officer.
“This nation is strong because it is made up of volunteer Americans, you and me,” said Schrum. “Each of us from different backgrounds, but joined by an understanding of equality and the need to protect that and our solemn rights from infringement.”
Though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom to those slaves finally came on June 19, 1865. Over 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, announcing that more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree. The day became known as Juneteenth.
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Calniayh Harrison opened the ceremony with the importance of African American history.
“The evolution black people went through to get where we are today is astonishing,” said Harrison. “Today, when we celebrate Juneteenth, we’re not only celebrating freedom but acknowledging the fight and hardship our ancestors went through to give us this freedom.”
The ceremony had three Sailors read poems of their choice, which signified the struggle of the African American community.
Yeoman 3rd Class Mary Wheeler read the poem, “We Rose,” by Kristina Kay. Logistics Specialist Seaman Lord-Nasir Gales read, “Juneteenth,” by Noah Griffin. Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Kintaira Spinner read the final poem of the event, “Fury and Faith,” by Amanda Gorman
The event concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting by Schrum and members of the command’s multicultural committee.
For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit
http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn71. Join the conversation with TR online at
www.facebook.com/USSTheodoreRoosevelt and at www.twitter.com/TheRealCVN71.
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2023 13:58 |
| Story ID: | 447651 |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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