Carl Brashear’s Life Celebration – July 25th, 2011

On July 25th, 2011 the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story Brashear Conference Center held a ‘Life Celebration’ of Navy Master Diver Boatswain Mate Master Chief Carl M. Brashear

Captain Charles Stuppard, Commander, JEB Little Creek-Ft Story, and his fine staff hosted this event in extraordinary fashion. Serving as the keynote speaker of the event was the Honorable L. Douglas Wilder, former Governor of the State of Virginia and the first elected African-American Governor in the United States. Additional speakers included Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr. Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command, Rear Admiral Frank A. Morneau, Deputy Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division, Office of Chief of Naval Operations, and Navy Master Diver, Master Chief J. Lemount King, USN Retired. Mr. James McArthur, Vice Admiral, USN Retired, Vice President, Lockheed Martin Center for Innovation in Suffolk, Virginia was a strong supporter of sponsorship for the evetn also provided remarks. Serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies was WTKR Channel 3 Hampton Roads’ own Mrs. Bianca Martinez.

The ceremony started with opening remarks from Mrs. Bianca Martinez who shared the story of the birth of her child in the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center where Carl Brashear passed away in 2006. Sailors from the base ‘Posted the Colors’ as Veroncia Watson, USN Retired. sung a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. Minister Carl Jones of Portsmouth, Virginia gave the Invocation before Captain Charles Stuppard welcomed everyone to his base for this memorable and historic event. Master Tyler Brashear, grandson of Carl Brashear read an inspirational poem titled “A True Man of Honor” featured on the Carl Brashear Foundation website and authored by Minister Carl Jones. A short video was presented to the audience of the Newport News Fireboat Carl Brashear. Mr. J. Lemount King gave remarks concerning the legacy of Carl Brashear from his experience having Brashear as a personal mentor and friend. Mr. King is one of five African-American Master Divers in the United States Navy. Rear Admiral Morneau gave remarks concerning the legacy of Carl Brashear. The audience was introduced to a short clip of the christening ceremony for the United States Naval Ship Carl Brashear, a vessel under the control of the Military Sealift Command. The Honorable L. Douglas Wilder took the stage and talked about his personal relationship with Carl Brashear. He and Brashear were honored at a function a few years ago and Governor Wilder spoke of their conversations. Governor Wilder told the audience that both he and Carl Brashear knew each other’s story and the fortitude it took for each man to rise to the level of achievement they both accomplished. He also spoke passionately about the importance of never forgetting the principles Carl Brashear stood for and the attitude towards life he lived by. Phillip Brashear followed with presentations to the speakers, which included a Commemorative Carl Brashear Coin and Carl Brashear Foundation ‘Thank You’ letter. Phillip presented the Hampton Veterans Administration Hospital in Hampton, VA a check from the Carl Brashear Foundation in the amount of, $1000. The check was accepted by Mrs. Judith Curtis on behalf of the VA Hospital. Phillip acknowledged family members to include his brother Patrick Brashear, Portsmouth, VA., who personally takes care of the family matriarch in the person of Junetta Brashear, wife of Carl Brashear for 28 years and mother of his four sons. Reverend Earl B. Hall, Pastor, Greater Nazarene Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA and congregation were acknowledged. He also acknowledged Mr. Gus Liggon, Customer Operations Director, Defense Logistics Agency in Richmond, VA, as well as other colleagues who supported the event. Lastly, he acknowledged three key individuals, responsible for the commemorative event and planned the details of the ceremony. They are Mrs. Sandra Brashear, wife of Phillip Brashear and Virginia State employee, Division of Child Support Enforcement, Richmond, VA; Mrs. Glenda B. Arrington, a government employee, U. S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, VA and friend of Carl Brashear, and; Mrs. Martha Walker, Curator, Nauticus, The National Maritime Center, Norfolk, VA. All three were honored with a dozen roses as gratitude for their service and making this event a memorable one. Mr. Jim McArthur followed with remarks of his introduction to Phillip and told the audience of his instant readiness to support the Carl Brashear celebration. Mr. Dawayne Brashear provided closing remarks highlighting the legacy of Carl Brashear (his father) and the importance of continuing in his footsteps. He especially accentuated the importance of his mother, Junetta Brashear, and her commitment to raising the sons of Carl Brashear acknowledging her sacrifices to her family as well. In the audience was Dawayne’s daughter, Ms. Lauren Brashear, who served as the ‘Maid of Honor’ for the christening ceremony of the USNS Carl Brashear (TAK-7) in San Diego, September 2008. Minister Carl Jones closed-out the celebration with the benediction.

The event was catered at the Brashear Conference Center through sponsorship of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Many thanks to Mr. James McArthur, Vice President and the great men and women of the Center for Innovation in Suffolk, VA. for their support. Many thanks to The Navy League of Hampton Roads and the staff of the Brashear Conference Center, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story who were instrumental in the success of the event. Special thanks to Mrs. Jo Carter and Mrs. Kris Edmondson for managing the Commemorative Coin donations of over $1400 in honor of the Carl Brashear Foundation.

This celebration was the brainstorm idea of Ms. Glenda Arrington who served as the coordinator and director. The success of this event is due to her attention to detail and energetic spirit in all matters that lead to the awesome event to honor such a great man. There are countless other volunteers that gave their time and efforts to make this first-time event successful. I want to personally THANK YOU for your contribution.