NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, Italy –
Sailors assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and U.S. Sixth Fleet hosted a celebration to mark the renaming of the Fleet Conference Facility (FCF) as the “Culture of Excellence” conference room, Feb. 11.
Members of the command’s Multicultural Heritage Committee (MHC) proposed the name change as a reflection of the command’s commitment to ensuring inclusion and connectedness among every Sailor.
One of the MHC members, Operations Specialist 1st Class Heandel Pierre, helped prepare the room for renovations and spoke at the celebration.
“It’s awesome to see one of the MHC’s suggestions get implemented in such a big way,” said Pierre. “This process originally started taking shape at the end of last year and with leadership support at all levels we were able to make it happen.”
Pierre said that the idea for the room renaming came when he started thinking about all the great leaders that have made an impact at Sixth Fleet. Pierre and the MHC team wanted to look at a name with a broader perspective of unity in a time where the Navy needed to hear it the most.
“The room’s name is a constant reminder of what the Navy is and will always strive for and always be,” said Pierre. “A place where the pursuit of excellence is not only an ideal but a culture.”
Pierre said that for him, the motivation behind the name change focused on three main points: America as our home because it’s a place constantly finding and searching for new ways to improve itself; our Fleet because of the sincerity and the fortitude it takes to make a large change like this; and the everyday Sailor because regardless of rank, ethnicity or background, we are all Sailors.
“The best asset of the Navy is the diversity of people who work together regardless of their walks of life, religion, or race,” said Pierre. “When we come together we’re able to accomplish any mission which ultimately represents a culture of excellence.”
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, Conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.