1 00:00:01,550 --> 00:00:04,310 Shipmates Cno Gilda here and my wife 2 00:00:04,310 --> 00:00:07,090 linda to honor to recognize and to 3 00:00:07,090 --> 00:00:09,090 reflect on the many achievements of 4 00:00:09,090 --> 00:00:11,340 black americans past and present for 5 00:00:11,340 --> 00:00:13,760 all I have and continue to do for our 6 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:16,330 country . Black history month was 7 00:00:16,330 --> 00:00:18,750 officially recognized in 1976 by 8 00:00:18,750 --> 00:00:21,340 President Gerald Ford . And since then 9 00:00:21,340 --> 00:00:23,610 we continue to recognize and honor the 10 00:00:23,610 --> 00:00:26,090 many contributions of black americans . 11 00:00:26,100 --> 00:00:28,980 Freedom and equality cannot be taken 12 00:00:28,980 --> 00:00:31,390 for granted . Nor should it be . Black 13 00:00:31,390 --> 00:00:34,460 history is and always will be american 14 00:00:34,460 --> 00:00:36,780 history . I am incredibly proud that in 15 00:00:36,780 --> 00:00:39,830 the Navy we are all one team joined 16 00:00:39,830 --> 00:00:42,470 together by shared purpose service . 17 00:00:42,470 --> 00:00:44,637 Whether you wear a military uniform or 18 00:00:44,637 --> 00:00:46,760 a business suit is about leadership . 19 00:00:46,770 --> 00:00:49,380 It's about competence and caring . It's 20 00:00:49,380 --> 00:00:51,240 about character and it's about 21 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:54,330 diversity , inclusion and selflessness . 22 00:00:55,210 --> 00:00:57,377 It's important . We talk about leaders 23 00:00:57,377 --> 00:00:59,321 and other american heroes who have 24 00:00:59,321 --> 00:01:01,154 inspired so many of us and whose 25 00:01:01,154 --> 00:01:03,099 actions have made a difference for 26 00:01:03,099 --> 00:01:05,099 others during black history month . 27 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:07,311 Take the time to learn about the many 28 00:01:07,311 --> 00:01:09,478 incredible leaders and trailblazers in 29 00:01:09,478 --> 00:01:11,910 our navy . Those like the Golden 13 30 00:01:11,930 --> 00:01:14,140 Chief yeoman EDM a young lieutenant 31 00:01:14,140 --> 00:01:16,362 Commander , Brenda , raven . Robinson , 32 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:19,030 Master Chief Mel Williams and ST jesse 33 00:01:19,030 --> 00:01:22,060 Brown and Vice Admiral Sam gravely 34 00:01:22,070 --> 00:01:24,940 among many others . Don't limit this 35 00:01:24,940 --> 00:01:27,520 discussion to february alone . Take 36 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:29,520 time to recognize and celebrate the 37 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:31,576 positive impact that black americans 38 00:01:31,576 --> 00:01:34,160 have on the history of the US and of 39 00:01:34,170 --> 00:01:36,070 the Navy . There's always an 40 00:01:36,070 --> 00:01:38,380 opportunity for us to celebrate and 41 00:01:38,380 --> 00:01:40,547 learn from one another about diversity 42 00:01:40,547 --> 00:01:42,580 and inclusion and how it makes us a 43 00:01:42,580 --> 00:01:45,210 stronger team . We must always learn 44 00:01:45,210 --> 00:01:47,570 from those around us this black history 45 00:01:47,570 --> 00:01:49,600 month let us recommit to honoring 46 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:52,320 legacy with action . Let us continue 47 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,430 our fight for justice , equality and 48 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:56,860 opportunity for all so that generations 49 00:01:56,860 --> 00:01:59,590 to come may stand on our shoulders and 50 00:01:59,590 --> 00:02:02,080 reach even greater heights . We 51 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,191 appreciate everything . Our sailors , 52 00:02:04,191 --> 00:02:06,760 civilians and your families do linda , 53 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:09,960 and I thank you for all you do day in 54 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,360 and day out . Our Navy is the best in 55 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,520 the world because of your selfless 56 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,020 service and your dedication . We'll see 57 00:02:17,020 --> 00:02:18,140 you in the fleet shipmates .