Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 11-9-18

All About You
Happy 19th Anniversary
Two Bay Area Marines Visit IB Middle School
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Currently, two U. S. Marines “first” are residing in the Tampa Bay Area. Both have been trained with unique specific skill sets and qualifications.
They are also “the First” within their respective Re- connaissance and Special Op- erations Communities.
Stanley Gray, USNA 1977, was the Marine Corps first African American Re- connaissance Battalion’s Company Commander.
Major Cedric Jeffer- son, a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) who is slated to be the Marine Corps first African American Company Commander within the U. S. Marine Corps Special Opera- tions Command (MARSOC). MARSOC is the Marine Corps component of the U. S. Special Operations Com- mand.
These two Naval Academy educated, Reconnaissance qualified Marine Company Commanders who are both
Stanley Gray, USNA 1977, Is Shown With Major Cedric Jeffer- son.
financial members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., give credence and vali- dations to this saying that “birds of a feather flock to- gether.”
The two recently visited Williams Middle IB School and participated in a United States Naval Academy Mi- nority Association (NAMA) sourcing activity.
The history of the NAMA dates back to 1872, when James Henry Conyers was appointed to and ac- cepted by the U. S. Naval Academy. When he arrived in Annapolis, the orders by President Ulysses S.
Grant to treat him with “the utmost consideration,” were largely ignored. Conyers was subjected to severe mis- treatment.
He was only one of three dozen Blacks appointed to the Academy through World War II. Only 6 were actually admitted. The first 5 were driven out before their first year was completed.
Midshipman Wesley Brown became the first African American to graduate in 1949.
The goal of NAMA is to in- crease the number of minor- ity applicants to the United States Naval Academy.
ROBERT AND BRENDA GASTON 11/8/1999 to 11/8/2018
Happy 19th Anniversary to us.
May God continue to bless our marriage!
Denim And Pearls To Celebrate Special Day
Denim and pearls were used as the theme when Barbara Carter James celebrated her spe- cial day last month. More than 200 family members and friends joined her at the Brandon Rec Hall for the celebration. (Photos by Julia Jackson)
Honoree Barbara Carter- James enjoyed the event cele- brating her.
Paulette Carter was among those in attendance.
Sisters Camilla Roberts and Danette Williams served as host- esses for the celebration.
Janella and Steve Edmonds celebrated with the honoree.
PAGE 4-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018