The Brashear Conference Center

On April 1, 2009, the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base located in Virginia Beach, Va. opened their newest conference center. The building formerly known as the Chief Petty Officer’s Club, endured a complete $880,000 renovation and was named the Brashear Conference Center in honor of the late Master Chief and Master Diver Carl Brashear. The new conference center boasts a large ballroom with seating up to 500 and a Room of Honor with seating up to 130.

The Commanding Officer of Little Creek, Captain William Crow was present to dedicate the building in style. During his address to the crowd of over 200 sailors and civilians, he commented on what he and Master Chief Carl Brashear had in common; the were both native Kentuckians from sharecroppers families. Phillip was given the opportunity to address the crowd on what the new honor meant to him and his family. Also present were Phillip’s wife Sandy, her uncle Randy Pritchett and his wife Grace, Minister Carl Jones, and family friend Jean Jeffrey. A special guest of honor was present, Retired Master Chief and Master Diver K. Lemount King, who also addressed the crowd. Also in the crowd was a modest guest of honor, Retired Master Chief and Master Diver Mike Washington. Both of these men were long-time friends and students of Carl Brashear. During the ceremony, an official plague was unveiled that will be placed in the front of the center for all to see. After the formal festivities were over, many stayed and greeted the family and presented their well-wishes.

The ceremony coincided with the 116th birthday of the rank of Chief in the Navy and the 30th anniversary of the retirement of Carl Brashear which was also held at Little Creek AMPHIB Base. Little Creek was home to Carl Brashear after he retired from the Navy and he was a regular at the base’s facilities ranging from Boone Clinic, the commissary, the Navy Exchange, the diving units, and the gym. The Chapel at Little Creek and Chief’s Club hosted and catered the funeral for Carl Brashear when he passed in July 2006. The Little Creek Amphibious Base will always be an honored site for the Brashear Family. Little Creek was the first home for the Brashear family in 1965 when Carl and wife Junetta moved into base housing.