USS William P Lawrence
3/7/2013 
 

William P. Lawrence Celebrates Black History Month 
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Carla Ocampo, USS Nimitz Public Affairs  
5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY – Sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) celebrated Black History Month with a cake cutting ceremony, Feb. 27.

Black History Month is observed each year in February to highlight the contributions African Americans have made to American history.

“Black History Month is a time to reflect, celebrate, and be thankful for the sacrifices our ancestors have made for the freedom and lifestyle we enjoy today,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Carlos Coates.

This year’s theme was “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington,” commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s march in Washington, D.C.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Chanden Langhofer, William P. Lawrence’s executive officer, spoke about the various contributions Africans Americans have had in the military and explained the importance of diversity in the Navy.

Langhofer said that gender and size doesn’t matter. What matters is that Sailors know their job and perform it correctly. He also added that people who fought so hard for civil rights in the past would be proud to see where we are today.

William P. Lawrence is currently underway on its maiden deployment as part of the Nimitz Strike Group Surface Action Group, which consists of USS Stockdale (DDG 108), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Shoup (DDG 86) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23.

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