Learn how to apply July 13 and 14 at community meetings in San Diego and San Jose; Applications close August 9

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—-ENN)— African American and Black community members need to apply for a commission that will draw California’s voting districts to ensure all communities are fairly represented over the next decade, said Sean Dugar of California Common Cause.  

Since applications opened in June for the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission, about 6 percent of applicants have identified as Black or African American voters, according to theCalifornia State Auditor’s website. About 7 percent of the state’s voting-age population identifies as Black or African American.  

The Citizens Redistricting Commission is required by law to have 5 Republicans, 5 Democrats and 4 unaffiliated or independent voters. But Dugar said it is imperative that the applicants and selected commissioners represent not just political diversity, but all the diversity of the state.  

Without such diversity, commissioners could draw districts that dilute the political power of certain communities by slicing them into different voting areas. Commissioners who are dedicated to fairness and equity are encouraged to apply before the deadline of August 9. 

“California voters aimed to end racial and partisan gerrymandering when they set up the citizens redistricting commission a decade ago and that goal continues today,” Dugar said. “This is your chance to shape California’s future by drawing fair district boundaries that serve the best interests of all of the people of California.”   

The outgoing commission is majority voters of color and is viewed as the best citizens redistricting commission in the nation. The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, a leading research center at Harvard University, awarded the California commission the 2017 Roy and Lila Ash Innovation Award for Public Engagement in Government. Commissioners used a $100,000 grant award to support the replication and dissemination of the California model in other states where gerrymandering suppresses voters.  

How can I learn more? 

Join Sean Dugar of California Common Cause and our allies for informational meetings on how to apply.  

What: San Diego Counts 
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 13 
Where: Balboa Park Club, Santa Fe Room, 2150 Pan American Road West, San Diego 
RSVP to San Diego 

What: All Things Redistricting 
When: 1-4 p.m., Sunday, July 14 
Where: SEIU Local 521, 2302 Zanker Road, San Jose 
RSVP to San Jose 

What is the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission?  

Every 10 years, after the federal government conducts the census, California must redraw the boundaries of its congressional, state senate, state assembly, and state board of equalization districts so that the districts correctly reflect the state’s population. The 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission is the entity that will draw all the district lines.  

Why do we have a Commission?  

California voters authorized the creation of the commission when they passed the Voters FIRST Act in 2008 and stripped the power to draw lines from politicians and gave it to the people. In 2010, the Voters FIRST Act for Congress added the responsibility of drawing congressional districts to the commission. The goal was to end racial and partisan gerrymandering in California.  

Who can serve on the Commission?  

The Act requires applicants meet these minimum eligibility requirements:

• Registered to vote since July 1, 2015  
• Have been registered without a, or “independent” of any, political party (decline-to-state or no party preference) or registered with the same political party since approximately July 1, 2015 
• Voted in at least two of the last three statewide elections  

How do I apply for the Commission?  

You may submit an application to the California State Auditor through www.shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov before August 9, 2019. Applicants who meet all of the qualifications for serving on the commission, and do not have a disqualifying conflict of interest, will be invited to submit a supplemental application containing additional information about their qualifications.   

###

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Because you see every time we encounter the Word of God, an unseen world of spiritual forces go to work. We don’t usually think about this, since our experience—for instance, reading the Bible —feels so patently mundane. But read Jesus’ first parable in Matthew 13 and you’ll gain a renewed sense of weightiness for the moment when your life and God’s Word intersect.

I tell you, God’s Words are powerful. It took just a handful of them to create the entire known universe. If those Words are taking root in you, that same power will be at work in your life. But naw, you rather search Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, My Space, Linked-In and a whole slew of other social networking websites. “These social networks were originally created to give people a means to communicate and stay connected with others.  But what started out as a novelty has now turned into a serious addiction for many. These electronic tools that are supposed to help us stay connected have actually caused us to become more disconnected than ever before. If you don’t believe me, look around the room at your next family gathering or at the next social event you go to, and take notice of how many people are staring at their SmartPhones or Tablet screens, totally disconnected from everything that is going on around them. This addiction has even created a whole new problem in our Churches . Many are now looking at their SmartPhones instead of the Scriptures during the worship services.   They are tuning into their social media messages and tuning out the message from God’s Word.” I tell you, “Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.”

Listen, God’s Word is the foundation of our lives. The Christian life, from start to finish, is utterly dependent on the grace of God. Not only do we come into spiritual life by sheer grace, but it is in divine grace that we continue on. It is by God’s grace that our soul survives through many trials, is strengthened for everyday life, and grows into greater maturity and health. I tell you, you can either follow the counsel of the world or the counsel of the Word. But Psalm 1 tells us that we should make God’s Word our delight and meditate on it consistently – day and night. I pray that through the teaching of this message today that if you are not regularly reading and studying the Word of God you will began to make God’s Word a regular diet for your life.

For He says, “Consider the sower who went out to sow. As he was sowing some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withereed. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown. He who has an ear, let him hear [Matthew 13:3-9].  And as you read through this, think about which type of soil you relate to and how receptive you are to hearing the truth of the gospel. For I tell you, “Everything else will pass away, [Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like ] “but the Word of God stands forever” [Isaiah. 40:8].

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on

his law he meditates day and night. – [Psalm 1:1-2]

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” – [Jeremiah 15:16]

Infectious Bavarian Tunes by Four German Bands Fill Big Bear’s Fall Months

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— BIG BEAR LAKE, CA—- Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest steps up its game with an entertainment lineup that brings more Bavarian-style oomph, or in musical terms oom-pah-pah, than ever before. The 49^th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is pleased to announce it will feature not two, not three, but four different bands direct from Germany in a nine-weekend stretch that spans from September 7 to November 2, 2019. This marks the first-time ever that Southern California’s number-one-rated Oktoberfest will have four different German bands perform live in the same season. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest’s audience is treated with a unique blend of traditional German polkas, sing-alongs and of course the Chicken Dance, but will also get its fair share of classic rock covers, country hits and today’s dance favorites. All four German bands help create the same vibe and pageantry of the original Bavarian Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

“We want to give our guests a little slice of Bavaria right here in Big Bear Lake,” said Monica Marini, director of Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. “Instead of taking that long expensive flight to Munich, Germany, they can take a short trip up to Big Bear to experience a truly authentic Oktoberfest celebration.”

The first German band that is slated to take the stage at the 49^th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is Franken Power Express direct from Hammelburg, Germany. The energy of this band is certain to stir up a lively atmosphere September 14-15 and September 21-22. Frankenrebellen Express performs the next two weekends September 28-29 and October 4-5. This band that hails from the Franconia region of Bavaria sings with thick German accents and delivers a fun-style of party music. Die Bohmische Straßenmusikanten, from the eastern province of Bavaria, brings its unique style of Bohemian brass music during Oktoberfest’s peak weekends October 12-13 and October 19-20. Die Bohmische Straßenmusikanten combines street music, fast-paced rhythms, Bavarian folk standards and contemporary pop hits. Goldeisen, a nine-piece band that also resides in Bavaria, returns by popular demand. Goldeisen plays pulsating German-tunes that are certain to get patrons out of their seats and onto the dance floor on October 26-27 and at Oktoberfest’s special encore event Saturday, November 2. The Express Band, Southern California’s premier German band performs the first weekend September 7-8.

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest – 3 Different German Bands                                2-2-2-2-2

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest delivers a genuine Bavarian-style celebration with alpine scenery and heritage that sincerely reflects the spirit of the original Oktoberfest, even serving the very same beer poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest! There are two full service bars located inside the Convention Center and four different bier gartens (beer gardens) outside, including the Craft Haus, which provides a variety of micro brews and craft beer, ideal for beer connoisseurs. The food is very authentic to German tradition, too. The bratwurst and knockwurst is from a German butcher in Los Angeles, and fresh apple strudel as well as pretzels are delivered weekly from a German bakery in Downey!   

Fun competitions and contests at Oktoberfest include log sawing, stein carrying, shoot & yodel, a version of beer pong, and stein holding. Children’s fun and games include kiddy mug holding matches and an enhanced kids’ play area with five different giant inflatables. Dance troupes perform customary dances, and festivalgoers get into the action by flapping their arms and clucking away to the Chicken Dance.

The 49^th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest begins Saturday, September 7 and runs for nine consecutive weekends (Sat. & Sun.) through Saturday, November 2, 2019. The weekend festivities takes place at Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest kicks off with American’s Hero weekend on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, offering free admission for all past and present military, fire fighters and law enforcement. Tickets to all 2019 dates go on sale Thursday, August 1, 2019. It is highly recommended to pre-purchase tickets in advance, especially October dates. For more details regarding tickets, Burgermeister / Uber-Bugermeister Party Packs, and general information, log on to BigBearEvents.com, or Facebook, or call 909-585-3000.  

 Recent donation from a longstanding Casa Colina donor funds construction of a Spiritual Garden at Casa Colina Hospital. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NEWORK—ENN)—POMONA, CA—- Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare welcomed members of the John P. Previti Memorial Foundation Monday for a $100,000 check presentation supporting the development of a non-denominational Spiritual Garden on its 20-acre Pomona campus. 

Set to be built in an inner courtyard at Casa Colina Hospital, the John P. Previti Memorial Spiritual Garden will feature a soothing water fountain and ample seating set beneath a wooden portico framed by lush plants and flowers. Construction of the new garden will begin this month and is expected to be completed late 2019.

Felice Loverso, PhD, president and CEO of Casa Colina, thanked the Previti Memorial Foundation for its on-going support of Casa Colina, adding that their latest gift will provide patients and their families a place for prayer and contemplation. 

“The Previti Memorial Foundation has been a long-time and generous supporter of Casa Colina and of our goal to lead and define excellence in medical and rehabilitative care,” Loverso said. “This enduring gift will contribute to the recovery of our patients and bring solace to their families, as well as to our own staff.” 

Casa Colina Board Chair Randy Blackman also thanked the Previti Memorial Foundation for its continued philanthropic support. “We are grateful not only for this significant contribution, but for the far-reaching work being done at the Previti Memorial Foundation,” Blackman said. “By teaming with local charities and nonprofits, the Previti Memorial Foundation is creating a real, lasting impact on the health and vitality of many communities, including Casa Colina.” 

 

Inland homebuilder Jimmy Previti created the John P. Previti Memorial Foundation in 2009 to honor the memory of his late brother, John, and to provide philanthropic support to worthy organizations. 

“We are honored to be a part of this incredible project and humbled to have our Foundation and our family forever associated with this special place of healing and wellness,” said John’s daughter, Alessandra ‘Lexie’ Previti, who was on hand for the check presentation. 

Lexie’s mother and member of the Previti Memorial Foundation Board of Directors, Christina Previti, also expressed her joy to be supporting Casa Colina. “This beautiful new Spiritual Garden will provide a peaceful and calming space for quiet reflection, prayer, and meditation by Casa Colina patients and their loved ones,” she said. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA—- In an effort to retrofit his controversial bill SB 276, Senator Richard Pan recently made amendments that would send prohibitively expensive shockwaves through state agencies, schools, and families of medically vulnerable children.

SB 276 heads to Appropriations on Wednesday, where the committee will determine if and how the newly amended bill could be made fiscally viable. The new amendments include utilizing the state’s California Immunization Registry (CAIR) databases to track medical exemptions, limiting doctors to writing a maximum of five medical exemptions per year before being placed under review, andperhaps grandfathering in existing exemptions. 

Upon further examination, these amendments add complexities to SB 276 that only serve to increase costs, add liabilities to state agencies, and compromise the best practice of medicine, all while depleting the California General Fund. In short, the negative impacts of this costly bill will far outweigh any of its perceived benefits.

Pan’s amendments thus far have served up a tsunami of financial implications.  While Senator Pan has underplayed the cost at $2.5 million, the actual cost considering all ramifications of this bill is much greater.  A Voice for Choice Advocacy estimates the cost of SB 276 to be in excess of $50 million in the first year and in excess of approximately $35 million in each subsequent year, with an additional estimated $650 million potential loss in school ADA (average daily attendance) and/or $5 billion potential increased healthcare costs. All to go after an extremely small and unquantified number of “unscrupulous” doctors and to mitigate the 11 cases of measles in California children this year. 

There has to be a better, more cost effective way.

“This is not just about loss of privacy and freedoms for families working closely with their physicians,” said Christina Hildebrand, Executive Director of the medical-freedom non-profit A Voice for Choice Advocacy. “This bill has devolved into a two-headed monster, where on the one hand you have attacks on the doctor-patient relationship, and on the other you have placed liability on the backs of government bureaucrats who now hold the health of children they have never met in their hands. This beast will force families out of California, taking their tax dollars with them.”

The amendments, which were added in response to concerns voiced by Governor Newsom, the California Medical Board, expert witnesses, Assembly Members, and parents, were intended to make the bill more palatable, thus more likely to gain support. With the ever-increasing price tag and magnitude of liabilities, along with mounting objections from parents, it appears they may have the opposite effect. 

In its current form, the bill does nothing to address the fact that California already has a Medical Board (MBC) which, given the right authorities, could sufficiently address all of the concerns addressed by SB276, at significantly less cost, liability, and risk to the small minority of vulnerable children with medically-necessary exemptions.

In what he called a preventative measure in response to a measles outbreak (11 cases in children) earlier this year, Senator Pan introduced SB 276 with the intent of holding “fraudulent doctors” responsible for “selling” medical exemptions. Overshadowing these unsubstantiated allegations is the financial impact of what amounts to a bureaucratic behemoth, one that discriminates against a medical minority whose doctors determined were at risk of injury from government-mandated medical procedures. 

Senator Pan appears to be unmoved by the moral and ethical objections of this minority, seeking instead, on the basis of unsubstantiated fears, to intervene in private doctor-patient decisions. While we all desire to protect people from infectious disease, there is no compelling evidence that SB 276 would advance that objective. Rather, this bill draws a prohibitively expensive fault line between theoretical intent via the depletion of scarce public funds, and an assault on already precarious public confidence.

The multifaceted attack on California’s medical, educational and moral institutions unveils the extreme nature of SB 276. Rather than moving us into a bright new future, it sets California back on its heels, harkening back to historic human rights violations protected by the Hippocratic Oath, the Nuremberg Code, and common decency.  SB 276 is set to make an unprecedented, unnecessary, expensive leap to the wrong side of history.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—- LOS ANGELES, CA—- Music licensing and publishing company, SyncStories, names industry veteran Cassie Lord as President and Managing Partner where she will help oversee worldwide licensing and publishing operations.

The group’s recent deals include licensing music for the “Avengers: Endgame”, “Vans Skateboards”, and “Survivor” among others.

Over a 30-year span, Lord spearheaded the formation of the Film & Television Music Divisions for APM Music, Zomba’s FirstCom, and 5 Alarm Music. She directed production, operations and accumulation of over 80 music libraries that can be heard on Hollywood’s top-rated major motion pictures and television shows including “Game Of Thrones“, “Stranger Things“, “X-Men“, “Breaking Bad“, “House Of Cards“, “Batman vs Superman“, “The Walking Dead” and advertisement campaigns for “Dodge“, “Old Navy“, and “Pepsi” to name a few.

As a highly sought after music industry executive, Cassie Lord also consulted to Thomas Dolby’s company “Beatnik” and worked with Nokia’s Digital Music Division. Her start was at BMI and was later part of the production team for the television series “Star Search”.  Cassie is also a proud board member of the Production Music Association.

After 17 years serving as President & Founder of 5 Alarm Music, Cassie Lord joins SyncStories, bringing along world-class production music libraries and expertise.

“I am the happiest as an independent and love the flexibility of being creative with all of my industry colleagues. This is a wonderful business and I’m very excited about this new adventure!” states Lord. Eric Vasquez (CEO) issued a joint statement: “Cassie is not only a dear friend and a business colleague, but she is also a respected leader in our community. As an organization, we are thrilled about our exciting path forward and the creative possibilities ahead.”

---

About SyncStories

SyncStories is a one-stop music licensing and publishing company for TV, Film and Interactive Media. The organization merges first-rate indie touring artists, world class production music libraries, and custom music services. The SyncStories repertoire includes Messina Masters, created by Grammy winning composer Mateo Messina (“Juno”, “The Office”). Zero3 Music by 4 time BMI award winning composer and producer, Doug Bossi. Trailer library “Dig It Music”, and Cue Source Music created by Charlie Brissette who is best known for “The Ren & Stimpy Show”. Worldwide touring artists include EDM Dj & producer Dirt Monkey, The Adolescents, Veronica Fusaro and a specialty collection of early 1980’s classic punk rock.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) and the District African American Advisory Council (DAAAC) are holding the first Black Family Summit on Saturday, July 20 at San Gorgonio High School.

A free breakfast will be provided for the first 200 people to register. All Summit participants will receive a free lunch.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. After the keynote speaker, participants will rotate through three sessions of special programs and parent leadership workshops, all of which are geared toward helping African-American families navigate the school system in a way that leads to excellence for their children.

Black Honor Roll students from the District’s middle and high schools will be honored along with African-American elementary students who met or exceeded the standards on the CAASSP standardized tests.

The Black Family Summit will end with special giveaways to help prepare students for the new school year.

Families are encouraged, but not required, to RSVP by July 15 to Sharon Ellis, Department of Equity and Targeted Student Achievement, at (909) 473-2098.

San Gorgonio High School is located at 2299 Pacific Street in San Bernardino.

By Tanya A. Christian 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—-ENN)—- Pete Buttigieg has a plan to encourage Black entrepreneurship and he’s named it after two of the most recognized self-made business owners, Madam C.J. Walker and Reginald F. Lewis. The 2020 hopeful unveiled his proposal on Sunday during an address at the 2019 Essence Festival.

“Let’s talk about economic empowerment,” Buttigieg said to the thousands gathered in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and streaming live on Facebook. “Women of color account for nearly half of all women-owned businesses — $386 billion dollars of annual revenue. Which means that we should continue lifting up women of color and Black-owned enterprises not just with our words, but with our dollars.”

In a private interview with ESSENCE, the current mayor of South Bend, Indiana, compared the Walker-Lewis plan to the Marshall plan that was put into action after the end of World War II and explained that it would close the economic wealth gap. Essentially that plan would allow those who qualified for Pell Grants an opportunity to have their student loan payments forgiven if they start a business and employ three people within five years.

Buttigieg projects that the financial incentive will help triple the number of entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds in 10 years. “We can do that, and we should,” he insisted. He also called for creating a $10 billion fund to invest in businesses that are started by minorities.

“This is what freedom looks like in the 21st Century,” Buttigieg said.

His plan comes on the heels of another economic initiative named after an African-American figurehead. In June the former military officer outlined his Douglass plan named after abolitionist Frederick Douglass. In an op-ed published ahead of his appearance at BET’s Black Economic Alliance, he said, “We want to increase the number of successful small businesses in Black communities by 50%, by reforming credit scoring, increasing access to credit, and supporting long-term growth.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the California Latino Legislative Caucus announced its endorsement of Abigail Rosales Medina in her campaign to win California’s 23rd Senate District, a Democratic pick-up opportunity in the 2020 election cycle.

 “Abigail Medina is a tireless advocate for her community and will be an important voice in the California Senate,”saidChairwoman of the Latino Caucus, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). “The Latino Caucus is proud to endorse Abigail Medina’s run for the 23rd Senate seat, which could not only flip a red district to blue, it would also add to our caucus’ record-breaking number of Latina legislators.”

Abigail Rosales Medina is president of the San Bernardino City Unified School District and executive director of the Inland Regional Equality Network, which works to build a strong and inclusive LGBTQ+ community in the community She has served on the school board since 2013 and as its president since 2017. During that time, she helped move the 60 percent graduation rate up to 90 percent – exceeding state and county standards for the first time in over 40 years – while managing an annual budget. In 2016, she defied the odds by coming in first in the Assembly’s 40th District primary before ultimately finishing less than 2,000 votes behind the Republican incumbent.

The 23rd Senate District has little partisan lean (34.89% of registered voters listed as Democrats, 34.58% as Republicans and 24% as “no party preference”) and is currently represented by Republican State Senator Mike Morrell, who is terming out. It includes a wide arc of the Inland Empire, Rancho Cucamonga in the northwest to Menifee in the south, communities in the San Bernardino Mountains and a portion of the High Desert.

The California Latino Legislative Caucus serves as a forum for members from the State Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Latinos and develop avenues to empower the Latino Community throughout California. Since its creation 46 years ago, the Caucus has grown in both numbers and stature. It boasts a rich history of legislative and political success and serves as one of the most influential and strategic organizations in California. The Caucus is currently comprised of 29 members, including 16 Latina members.

For questions or to schedule an interview with a member of the Latino Caucus, contact Sami Gallegos (209) 658-7617. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Many Americans enjoy do-it-yourself projects and some Americans make a living in construction. There’s a group of U.S. Navy sailors who apply the same creativity required for DIY endeavors along with the engineering discipline of construction, but with a unique twist. They work underwater. Around the world. In some of the most challenging conditions imaginable including hostile environments, extreme heat or cold, or in remote locations where the only support and supplies they have are the ones they brought with them. 

Petty Officer 1st Class Ashley Pritchett, a 2006 Franklin High School graduate and native of Hesperia, California, is one of these sailors serving at Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 1, which is responsible for underwater construction, inspection, repair and demolition operations supporting both peacetime and wartime missions. 

As a Navy equipment operator, Pritchett is responsible for driving heavy equipment. 

“I move dirt, haul dirt and play in dirt,” said Pritchett.

Pritchett credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Hesperia. 

“I learned to have good morals and keep doing what you’re passionate about,” said Pritchett. 

A key element of the Navy the Nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea. 

“The sailors who serve as part of the Navy’s Underwater Construction Teams possess a very specialized skill set,” said Lt. Cmdr. James Johncock, UCT-1’s commanding officer. “The work they do is crucial to providing freedom of the seas in both peacetime and wartime. It’s an honor to lead these sailors and I continue to be inspired every day by their commitment to being the absolute best at what they do. The physical and technical abilities underwater construction technicians demonstrate make them some of the most highly trained sailors in the Navy.” 

Pritchett is playing an important part in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy. 

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.” 

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Pritchett is most proud of being promoting to the rank of petty officer first class. 

“The Navy is my dream job,” said Pritchett. “Being able to accomplish this was meaningful to me.” 

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Pritchett, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Pritchett is honored to carry on that family tradition. 

“My grandfather served in the Navy,” said Pritchett. 

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Pritchett and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs. 

“Joining the Navy is what I have always wanted to do and I feel very passionate about it,” said Pritchett. “Defending freedom is a huge deal to me.”