USS William P. Lawrence Sailors Honor Late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sailors aboard the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) came together to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a cake cutting ceremony Jan 22.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day that encourages Sailors to increase their knowledge on some of the great contributions King made to American history.

 “It’s important to remember,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Courtney Barnett. “We were once a nation that was separated, but now we all come together as a family. It is the diversity that makes our Navy the unique fighting force that it is.”

Chief Fire Controlman Brandon Kellogg gave a brief history lesson on King and highlighted some of his greatest accomplishments. Kellogg ended his speech stating that he wished he could have been around to meet such a man.

Cmdr. Jana Vavasseur, Lawrence’s commanding officer, gave the closing remarks, emphasizing parts of King’s speech.

 “His speech always chokes me up,” said Vavasseur. “All you have to do is look around. This is not how it used to be when Dr. King gave that speech. Congratulations for standing for freedom together.”

Lawrence is currently underway on its maiden deployment as part of the Nimitz Strike Group Action Group (SAG), which consists of the guided missile destroyers USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Shoup (DDG 86) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23.

The SAG is deploying to the Western Pacific to focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, which help establish conditions for regional stability.

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Naval Today Staff, January 24, 2013; Image: US Navy