NEWS, SPORTS, COMMENTARY, POLITICS for Gloucester City and the Surrounding Areas of South Jersey and Philadelphia
"A friend is one who joyfully sings with you when you are on the mountaintop, and silently walks beside you through the valley." ~William Arthur Ward
American Forces Press Service
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| WASHINGTON, March 20, 2008 - To recognize his continuous support and
recognition of sailors, Marines and their families throughout his 17 years on
television, the Navy presented its Superior Public Service Award to Montel
Williams yesterday in New York during the taping of his long-running program's
final show.
The Department of the Navy Superior Public
Service Award is presented to Montel Williams March 19, 2008, in New York for
his continuous support and recognition of servicemembers and their families
throughout his 17 years on television. Capt. Kenneth J. Braithwaite, Director,
Joint Public Affairs Support Element Reserve, presented the award to Williams on
behalf of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead during the taping of the
series finale. The Superior Public Service Award is the second highest award
presented to civilians by the Department of the Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Lt.
Mark Duehmig
(Click photo for screen-resolution
image);high-resolution image available.
| | Navy
Capt. Kenneth J. Braithwaite II, a rear admiral selectee and director of Joint
Public Affairs Support Element Reserve, presented the award to Williams on
behalf of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead. The Superior Public
Service Award is the second-highest award presented to civilians by the
Department of the Navy.
"Thank you, thank you," said Williams after he
was surprised with the award presentation once the show began rolling. "I've
tried in the industry to recognize (military servicemembers) and really bring to
the forefront what is being sacrificed. I want to thank you, all of you, for
what you do." Williams continued to wear the award throughout the finale show.
A video message from Roughhead, thanking Williams for his dedication and
support to all sailors and Marines, will air in a special segment during the
final week of "The Montel Williams Show" before it goes off the air in May.
"It was an honor to be able to award a true patriot like Mr. Williams,"
Braithwaite said. "This award signifies his genuine gratitude for military
service. He has a definite understanding and appreciation of what sailors and
Marines sacrifice, something he knows well from his own military experience."
Williams enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1974, and in 1975 he was
selected as the first black Marine to attend the Navy Prep School. He graduated
from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1980 and was commissioned as an intelligence
officer, specializing in cryptology.
During annual holiday shows in his
television program's long run, Williams has reunited deployed sailors with their
families. In 2006, he and a production crew flew to the Navy Central Command/5th
Fleet area of responsibility to tour Iraqi oil platforms and meet with deployed
sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
His program frequently has
featured guests from nonprofit organizations that support servicemembers to
highlight their efforts. Throughout his 17 years on televisions, Williams
continuously shared with audience members and viewers the importance of
supporting the military and recognized sailors' personal sacrifices in service
to their country.
Williams' mother and relatives were in the audience
for the series finale. To his staff, some of whom had been with the show since
the first day, Williams declared that it would be a fun show celebrating their
17 years on television.
"It is very bittersweet today. Everybody has
worked so hard," said Kwame White, production assistant. "He is a great man.
Every day, while at work, I meet someone amazing here who has overcome
something, and it has given me such an appreciation for what I have."
Navy Band Northeast, stationed in Newport, R.I., opened the show by
playing the program's theme song.
"It was pretty intense and it was fun.
There was a lot of energy in that studio," Petty Officer 3rd Class Marc Heskett,
who was featured on the saxophone, said. "Our performances are not normally
televised."
Lt. Carl Gerhard, Navy Band Northeast director, said he was
happy to be part of the event. "It feels great to be a part of this day," said.
"This is a very special day for Mr. Williams, and it is nice to be here to play
not only to celebrate his long run on television, but to play a tribute to his
service as well."
The final episode of "The Montel Williams Show,"
featuring the Superior Public Service Award presentation, is scheduled to air
May 16.
(From a Naval Media Center news release.)
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Biographies:
Adm.
Gary Roughead, USN
Capt. Kenneth J.
Braithwaite II, USN |
