White House Communication Staff Visit – October 1, 2015

CW4 Phillip Brashear was invited to speak to the White House Communication Staff on October 1, 2015 in Washington D.C. A member of the staff is a friend of Brashear and wanted his fellow staff members to learn more about the late Master Chief and Master Diver Carl Brashear as an example of personal and professional development.

The crowd present was a mixture of military personnel, civil servants, and contractors who are responsible for all communications entering and leaving the White House as well as audio-visual, and internet support. As Phillip spoke about the trials, accomplishments, and personal interactions with his father, the talk became more of passing of “life lessons” to the group. He reminded the group of his father’s great sense of humor and his respect for all people regardless of their status in life. Phillip demonstrated this fact by telling the crowd that his father would give the same handshake and warm smile to the man who picked up the garbage in his neighborhood as he would give the President of the United States. Phillip also shared with the crowd the caring his father had for his family by ensuring all of his personal affairs were in proper order prior to his passing in July 2006. The crowd in attendance also viewed video of the Carl Brashear Fireboat in Newport News, Virginia and the christening ceremony of the USNS Carl Brashear in Sep 2009. Phillip’s wife Sandra and son Tyler also made the trip to Washington D.C. The leader of the White House Communication Staff presented Phillip with a commemorative White House plaque and coordinated a tour of the White House for the Brashear family on the following day.