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CONTENTS Vol. 9 | Issue 12 4 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Infographic by MC3 Jessica Tukes
NIMITZ NEWS
CAPT. Kevin Lenox Commanding Officer CAPT. J.W. David Kurtz Executive Officer CMDCM Richard Mengel Command Master Chief
MEDIA DEPARTMENT
LT. CMDR. Clint Phillips PAO ENS Billy Petkovski DIVO MCC Grant Probst Media DLCPO MCC Porter Anderson Media CPO MC1 Kevin Johnson Media LPO MC3 Emily Johnston Lead Designer MC2 Don White Phojo Team Lead
6 Honoring Heritage
Story by MC3 Michael Prusiecki
The Hispanic culture is celebrated in the armed services each year from September 15 to October 15. Read about how Nimitz Sailors proudly recognize their cultural backgrounds as a defining aspect of their past, present and future.
8 Nimitz Sailors Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Story by MC3 Kennishah Maddux
Learn what specific activities Nimitz Sailors partake in to celebrate their Hispanic Heritage.
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MC2 Austin Haist MC2 Ian Kinkead MC2 Katarzyna Kobiljak MC2 Erickson Magno MC2 Ian Zagrocki MC3 Chad Anderson MC3 David Claypool MC3 Colby Comery MC3 Greg Hall MC3 James Hunt MC3 Chris Jahnke MC3 Kennishah Maddux MC3 Jose Madrigal MC3 Liana Nichols MC3 Cole Schroeder MC3 Jessica Tukes MC3 Leon Wong MC3 Bethany Woolsey MCSN Anthony Collier MCSN Frank Speciale
PHYSICAL READINESS=SHIP READINESS
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HONORING HERITAGE Story by MC3 Michael Prusiecki
From the very first moments of a Sailor’s indoctrination into the Navy, they are taught they are one team, engaged in one fight. People from every demographic in the country answer the nations call to arms, from all ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds. All wear the same uniform, assimilate into the same culture, and strive towards the success of the same mission in the defense of the nation. However, an important component of the Navy is the awareness and celebration of the vastly differing heritages that make up the fleet. For many generations, Hispanic Americans have proudly served in the U.S. Navy and had an immense impact on the success of the nation. The Hispanic culture is celebrated in the armed services each year from September 15 to October 15, and Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) are proudly recognizing their cultural backgrounds as a defining aspect of their past, present and future. The celebration of Hispanic heritage began in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week. President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to 30 days, and this change was implemented on August 17, 1988. This month long celebration was officially enacted to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched the nation and society. Hispanic American culture and influence on the Navy has long been a fruitful component of the Navy’s diverse ranks, and the celebration of the ethnicity is seen as an important and positive entity. Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Gabriel Hernandezchavarria, a Nimitz Sailor from Roanoke, Virginia, thinks this month of appreciation towards the culture could possibly help recruit more people of Hispanic ethnicity. “I think the increased awareness of this month could inspire more Hispanics to join the Navy, especially if they take pride in their culture and see that we also take pride in reveling in our heritage while helping defend the nation,” said Hernandezchavarria. Born in Mexico and immigrating to the United States during his childhood, Hernandezchavarria credits his background with assisting him on his journey towards success. “Looking back at where I came from and where I am now really helps me stay grounded. I have a sense of humility that helps me stay on track with my goals, and I am committed to continuing a proud tradition
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of celebrating my culture,” said Hernandezchavarria. “I believe we should continue and even increase the awareness and spotlighting of the cultural diversity in the Navy. I believe it’s very important to retain your cultural background and be proud of it.” Other Sailors onboard Nimitz have similar feelings and believe highlighting Hispanic culture in the Navy is essential to a healthy operational environment and could also serve as an inspiration to a younger generation. “While we are all wearing the same uniform, it is imperative to not be divided by race while maintaining a sense of identity with your heritage,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Tasia Peñaranda, from Bridgeport, Connecticut. “I try to excel and succeed at every aspect of my life and, as a Hispanic female chief, I hope that I can be an inspiration for others inside the Navy and out to let them know that you can achieve your goals if you work hard and put your mind to it regardless of your background.” Onboard Nimitz, the multi-cultural committee is dedicated to ensuring proper celebrations and awareness raising events are held throughout the command. Each year, Hispanic Heritage month is given a different theme, and the theme for this year is “Shaping the Bright Future of America.” Some of the events being planned are presentations, fundraisers, culinary exhibitions and demonstrations of customary traditions in Hispanic and Latin American countries, with the end goal of educating and inspiring future generations to take pride in their cultures and continue the longevity of those nations identities. Today, 12,000 Hispanic Americans are employed by the Department of the Navy, occupying all positions and achieving every rank from Seaman to Admiral. 17% of the Navy’s enlisted force can trace their roots to the many Hispanic countries, with over 1200 chief petty officers among them. Eight percent of the Officer ranks, including four percent of all admirals also fall into that category. Hispanic Americans have long been a constructive, augmenting ethnicity positively attributing to the growth, success and permanence of the Navy, and the United States as a whole. While a short 30 days will not fully encompass and emphasize the impact Hispanic Americans have had, the awareness and education raised, supplemented by the astounding celebrations and demonstrations of fierce pride, will continue to help Sailors stay in touch with their roots and promote diversity and inclusion in today’s Navy. For more information on the history of Hispanic Americans in the Navy visit: www.history.navy. mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/hispanic-americans-in-the-navy.html/.
Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Adam Spencer, from Phoenix, dices onions aboard the barge adjacent to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Michael Prusiecki
“Looking back at where i came from and where i am now really helps
me stay grounded. i have a sense of
humility that helps me stay on track with my goals, and i am committed
to continuing a proud tradition of
celebrating my culture.” - CSSA HERNANDEZCHAVARRIA
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Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Miguel Torres Sandoval, a native of Long Beach, Calif., cleans a catapult system aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Cole Schroeder
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Story by MC3 Kennishah Maddux
Nimitz Sailors Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Ana Saucedo, from Riverside, Calif. restocks the shelves of one of the stores aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Kennishah Maddux
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.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) join the Navy, and the rest of the nation, in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. On September 17th, 1968 President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed the week beginning September 15, 1968, as National Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988 this week long celebration was expanded to a full thirty-day cultural event by President Ronald Reagan. Nimitz has observed Hispanic Heritage Month in many different ways in the past including vibrant celebrations involving customary Hispanic food, song and dance. Though the month is traditionally associated with its fun events held on board, for some Hispanic Sailors serving on Nimitz, the month is much more than a fiesta. For Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Rodrigo Zurita, from San Antonio, it’s a time to reflect on his own Hispanic heritage and the lessons he cultivated from his upbringing. “My mother is Spanish and my father is Mexican. I was raised to believe that everything you get in life must be earned,” said Zurita. “It was instilled to me from a young age that it was important to have a solid work ethic, respect for others and a strong family foundation in order to be successful and I do contribute those attributes to my family’s heritage.” Although Zurita is very proud of his Hispanic roots now, there were times when he was younger he was made to feel that being different somehow made him less than his peers. This feeling is why Zurita thinks it’s important for Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations to take place. “I think it’s a chance as a community to show our pride and for our youth to see that you should never be ashamed of where you come from,” said Zurita. Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Richard Morales, from San Antonio, agrees with this sentiment. “It’s important for minority youth to see that your background and heritage are good things to be celebrated and not something negative,” said Morales. The month was created to celebrate the accomplishments of Hispanic leaders of the past and show the impact those of Hispanic heritage continue to have, not only in the Navy but in the community at large. “It is with special pride that I call the attention of my fellow citizens to the great contribution to our national heritage made by our people of Hispanic descent—not only in the fields of culture, business, and science, but also through their valor in battle,” said President Johnson during his initial proclamation of this celebration. 2018’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is “Shaping the Bright Future of America,” and the events being held focus on educating the public and celebrating the unique diversity of Latin American cultures.
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trivia What game developer invented the popular video game Fortnite?
find chester Admiral Chester Nimitz’s face is hidden somewhere in every Nimitz News. Can you find him?
weekly throwback The Nimitz basketball team poses for a photo with their championship trophies in 1978.
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2 1. AN Matthew Martin stands a full bore watch in the Strait3of Hormuz. Photo by MC3 Leon Wong
2. ABHAN Derek Slater picks up his firefighting boots after a crash-and-salvage watch. Photo by MC3 (SW) Weston Mohr 3. An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from VFA-146, launches from the flight deck. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 4. Sailors on the rigging team work and cool off during a replenishment-at-sea. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 5. Sailors conduct honor guard practice aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Leon Wong 6. Sailors move ordnance aboard the flight deck off USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 7. Sailors play football on the flight deck of USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC2 (SW/AW/IW) Holly Herline 8. An MH-60S Sea Hawk from HSC-8 patrols above Nimitz. Photo by MCSN (SW/AW) Cody Deccio 9. Sailors recieve supplies aboard Nimitz during an UNREP. Photo By MC3 (SW) Weston A. Mohr
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1| Capt. Lenox addresses the crew during an all hands call. |MC3 Johnston 2| CMC Mengel converses with 3rd Fleet CMC Jack Callison during a tour of the dry dock. |MC3 Prusiecki 3| OSSA Cook moves lumber while constructing a roof for a home during a community relations project. |MCSN Speciale 4| OSSA Peterson shows OSSA Ballew how to use a nail gun during a community relations project. |MCSN Speciale 5| DC3 Harrelson reports on a casualty during a firefighting drill onboard Nimitz. |MC2 Haist 6| DC3 Harrelson and DC3 Zamora attach vari-nozzles to fire hoses on the pier adjacent to Nimitz. |MC3 Hall
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