Coast Guard Island to hold Black History Month event

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The first African American Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard is scheduled to be the main speaker for the opening event of Coast Guard Island’s Black History Month program on Coast Guard Island, Alameda, Calif., Feb 5.

Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Vincent Patton served as the Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard from May 1998 to October 2002. As the Coast Guard's top enlisted member, he was the principal enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, his directorates, and the Secretaries of Transportation and Defense.

Coast Guard Island’s Black History Month program will feature presentations, guest speakers, documentaries and cultural demonstrations on Coast Guard Island every week throughout Feb.

Coast Guard Island’s Black History Month program is scheduled to close with a discussion panel, Feb. 25, which will include active, reserve and retired Coast Guard members discussing their personal experiences in the Coast Guard.

Patton will be available for interviews after the event.

Media interested in attending the event should contact Pacific Area Public Affairs.

POC: Petty Officer Caleb Critchfield

Office: (510) 437-3375

Cell: (510) 816-0215

For more information on Master Chief Petty Officer Vincent Patton click here.

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