https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/04/pics-video-navy-seabees-built-vp-kamala-harris-desk-from-wood-of-old-ironsides-uss-constitution/

Pics/Video: Navy Seabees built VP Kamala Harris desk from wood of ‘Old Ironsides’ USS Constitution

APRIL 05, 2021

Vice President Kamala Harris and the acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker were given office desks last month built from “Old Ironsides” USS Constitution’s timber, thanks to the work of the Navy Seabees.

In March, the Seabees presented Harris and Harker with the desks, commissioned from USS Constitution’s oak wood. The Constitution was a 1,265 ton 44-gun wooden frigate, which made its maiden voyage in July of 1798.

All Hands, the official magazine of the U.S. Navy, shared a video of the Constitution’s history and its eventual construction into Harris’ desk.

The Constitution earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812, when it fought the British ship HMS Guerriere. During the fighting, U.S. sailors were astonished that many of the British cannon shots rebounded off the Constitution’s sides and a sailor reportedly rejoiced, saying, “Huzzah, her sides are made of iron.”

The Seabees built the desks using wood, copper, and nails from Constitution. The desks are also constructed with some wood from USS Chesapeake and USS Constellation. The three ships are three of the first six frigates operated by the U.S. Navy.

The desk also has steel plating from the World War II-era ships USS Texas and USS Arizona, and deck bolts from USS New Jersey.

Military.com reported the project was approved while President Donald Trump was still in office, and Seabees began construction Jan. 4. The Seabees built the desks in about seven weeks. The process to strain and apply finishing coats was the longest part of the process because sailors had to wait 24 hours for each layer of stain to dry.

Builder 1st Class Hilary Lemelin, assigned to USS Constitution, told All Hands, “It’s amazing to create a desk for someone who makes such large decisions for the country and Navy. Knowing they’ll sit there every day is huge. The importance of their job can affect everything we do. It’s a piece of history now.”

The build team left square-nail holes in parts of the panels to serve as a reminder that they came from the planks of Constitution and that sailors served on it.

The desks also have pen trays in the center drawer and the previous Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth Braithwaite, left a note in the desks with a piece of USS Arizona. The Arizona was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Lemelin said the pen tray is “the biggest thing for me because every time they open that tray to sign an important document that could potentially change the Navy or the nation, I think I put that there for them to use. For me, that’s history and we’re helping whoever sits in those seats think about the immense weight they hold.”

Paul Taylor, a spokesman for Naval History and Heritage Command, told Military.com, said, “Each of these historic warships, like so many other vessels throughout the history of the Navy, embody the honor, courage, and commitment of those who served in them,” Taylor said. “More importantly, the desks will be lasting reminders to our civilian leaders that today’s Navy and our diverse sailors and Marines are deployed forward — alongside our allies and partners — to deter aggression and preserve freedom of the seas.”

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The Constitution Desk

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>Navy Seabees

CB

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>US Embassy official's body found hanging in Nairobi hotel

https://nypost.com/2021/04/07/us-embassy-officials-body-found-hanging-in-nairobi-hotel/

A body of a senior officer at the US Embassy in Nairobi was found Wednesday in his hotel room in what Kenyan officials believe to be a suicide, according to a report.

Police and witnesses said the body of the unidentified officer was found in the hotel near the Village Market after he failed to report to work, the Star reported.

Witnesses said he apparently used a belt, according to the local outlet.

“The body was found hanging near the room window. He seemed to have died long before security arrived there,” a police officer who was at the scene told the paper.

A suicide note found near the bed will be investigated.

Embassy officials checked on him after he failed to show up for work to relieve a colleague and didn’t answer his cellphone, according to the Star.

“We can confirm the death of a US government employee. US Embassy Nairobi extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” an embassy rep said.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Post.

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>US Embassy Head of Security Found Dead in Nairobi Hotel

FLASHBACK

https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/readout-first-lady-melania-trumps-visit-nairobi-kenya/

Readout of First Lady Melania Trump’s Visit to Nairobi, Kenya

FOREIGN POLICY

Issued on: October 5, 2018

First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Nairobi, Kenya late on Thursday evening. She was greeted by the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta and the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, Robert Godec.

On the morning of Friday, October 5, Mrs. Trump traveled to Nairobi National Park. Upon arrival, she went to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to learn about their facilities and mission and to observe the staff engage in their daily routine of feeding the baby elephants rescued by the shelter. Mrs. Trump, joined by Mrs. Kenyatta, fed the baby elephants with large bottles of milk. After the feeding concluded, Mrs. Trump spoke with briefly Angela Sheldrick, the owner of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and Edwin Lusuchi, the Chief Elephant Keeper.

On the Safari, the First Lady was able to see many wild animals including zebras, hippos, rhinos, and giraffes. Along the way, Mrs. Trump was briefed by Nelly Palmeris, the senior warden of Nairobi National Park, about the conservation efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Service. Near the end of the tour, Mrs. Trump visited one of the ivory burn sites, which are important landmarks in conservation, where Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi made a dramatic statement to poachers by setting fire to 11 tons of seized ivory in 1989.

Following her visit at Nairobi National Park, Mrs. Trump visited the Nest Baby Village part of the Nest Children’s Home, which cares for children ages newborn to 17 whose mothers are imprisoned. This shelter focuses on children by providing them with clothing and food, emotional support, medical care, and educational opportunities.

Director and founder of the Nest Children’s Home, Irene Baumgartner, greeted the First Lady. Children sang and danced around Mrs. Trump to welcome her and escorted her to the nursery village. Mrs. Trump met with the staff and held many of the babies. Outside in the gardens, older children sang to the First Lady. Mrs. Trump read a story titled The Lion and the Mouse. Before departing, the children circled the First Lady for a prayer and each child gave her a flower.

The shelter, which has been in operation since 1994, is a charitable trust that relies solely on private donations. The First Lady donated baby blankets, teddy bears, and children’s bags containing several items, including Frisbees and water bottles.

In the late afternoon, Mrs. Trump joined Mrs. Kenyatta at the State House for a private meeting where they discussed their shared goals within their respective countries – noting the importance of maternal health and education for children. First Lady Melania Trump and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta visited the Nairobi National Theater for a cultural performance by the Sarakasi Allstars. The audience included children from various schools and programs including the Nest and USAID Nilendi program.

Mrs. Trump also attended an Embassy Meet and Greet in order to thank United States Ambassador Robert Godec and Embassy employees for their service.

“My time in Kenya impacted me greatly and I want to thank everyone who took the time to meet with me, especially Mrs. Kenyatta,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “The hospitality that I received made the experience so special. I was awed by the beauty of Nairobi National Park and was very interested to learn more about Kenya’s conservation efforts. The Nest is a prime example of what it means to protect and nurture our next generation – seeing their efforts shape the lives of so many children is something I will never forget. I look forward to visiting again in the future.”