The crew of USS Momsen (DDG 92) recently celebrated African American History Month with a collection of speeches and vocal dedications.

The event commenced with the National Anthem, sung by Gunner’s Mate Seaman Nakayla Rhone. Yeoman 1st Class (AW) Moana Gonzalez then highlighted the achievements of Dr. Carter Woodson, who is also known as the “father of Black History Month”. 

Dr. Woodson’s life was dedicated to historical research, striving to preserve African American history because their contributions “were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them.”

Momsen Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael Sparks then spoke to the crew.

“African American History Month is a celebration of our country’s diversities, something that is clearly evidenced in the diversity of our own crew and its achievements,” he said. “The military is the absolute baseline on how diversity can become commonplace. It is important to celebrate our diversity because it is not apparent in many countries throughout the world.”

Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) Andrew Grace then recited his own poem in honor of African American History Month:

“That this is not just black history. This is something that affects us all,

It shows that we can overcome anything when our backs are against the wall,

The stereotypes will go on and the prejudices will always remain,

But we shall never forget the struggles they went through for us all to be the same,

One man’s goal, one man’s dream to have us all equally respected,

So thank you all for lending your ears and hopefully you’ll understand this message.”

The Black National Anthem, composed by James Weldon Johnson, was then sung by Seaman Rhone.  Johnson created this anthem in the early 1900s, in honor of Abraham Lincoln and his role in abolishing slavery. Ceremony coordinator, Senior Chief Quartermaster (SW/AW) Anthony Harden, thanked the crew for attending and provided a cake to show his support.