The crew of guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) gathered on the ship's mess decks to attend an African-American History Month celebration held by Truxtun's cultural diversity committee, Feb. 22.

The cultural diversity committee relieved the ship's culinary specialists and food service attendants to host the celebration, which included a presentation and a celebratory dinner for the crew.

The cultural diversity team mustered in the galley early in the afternoon, donning aprons and hats to prepare and cook the evening meal for their fellow shipmates.

"We wanted to do more than just have cultural food at our program," said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Latoya Shepherd, Truxtun's cultural diversity committee president. "We wanted to actually cook the food and serve it to the crew also."

The recognition of African-American History Month originated in 1926 as "Negro History Week." Led by Carter G. Woodson, it recognizes the contributions of African-Americans to the country and fosters a better understanding of the African-American experience.

This year, the fleet is celebrating the historical month by highlighting the theme "Crisis in Black Education."

Truxtun's commanding officer, Cmdr. Troy Denison, gave opening remarks at the program and shared with the crew the background of one of his role models who shaped his views and perspective as a U.S. Navy Sailor.

"Being a surface warfare officer, it is only right that I talk about my favorite African-American Sailor in naval history, Vice Adm. Samuel Gravely," said Denison.

Vice Adm. Gravely was a man whose career is historically filled with many U.S. Navy firsts. He was the first African-American to command a combatant ship, to receive a promotion to flag rank, and to command a naval fleet.

"There are many notable African-Americans in our Navy's history, but for him to accomplish everything he did in a period of our history where the odds were stacked against him, is something to truly be admired," said Denison.

Chief Personnel Specialist Chauncey McCleod was the guest speaker. He talked about the founding of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the significance of these institutions to the African-American community.

"HBCUs were established to give black people the opportunity to go to college and pursue higher education goals that were not available at predominantly white institutions," said McCleod.

The legacy of HBCUs and the black college experience holds a special place in one Truxtun officer's heart.

"Being a graduate of Tuskegee University, which is a HBCU, I was glad the rest of the crew got to learn a little bit about the foundation of HBCUs in the African-American community and why we are so passionate about them," said Ens. Darias Wilson.

During dinner, there was a powerpoint presentation on the mess decks to educate the crew about key figures in African-American history.

Truxtun is conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG).

GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff; guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103); Danish guided-missile frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362); and Mayport-based guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66).

More information on the many milestones achieved by African-American Sailors and the history of the African-American naval experience can be found on the Naval History and Heritage Command website at http://www.history.navy.mil.

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For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit http://www.navy.mil/.