Joint Venture
The Carl Brashear Foundation and the Nauticus Maritime Center have joined forces to promote the Carl Brashear Coin effort. The Nauticus Maritime Center is now another
venue for patrons to donate towards the Carl Brashear Foundation and to receive as a gift the highly sought after Carl Brashear Commemorative Coin. The donation in the
Banana Pier Gift Shop inside of the Nauticus Maritime Center is the same as is depicted on the ‘DONATE’ page of this website. Please stop by and check out the wonderful
display the staff has created to honor one of the ‘greatest sailors in history’. While there, please feel free to browse the many other wonderful and exotic collectibles
the shop has to offer. You will not be disappointed as the staff shows off the fine treasures from all over the world.
Also as an added bonus, the Battleship Wisconsin tour has been expanded to show the aspects of shipboard living for sailors who sailed her. This is a must-see, once in a
lifetime event for the whole family to share.
Back by Popular Demand (Ended April 2010)
The Carl Brashear ‘Dream to Dive Exhibit’ has been restored by popular demand. The exhibit, which ended on June 7, 2009, in its original format was
an outstanding success in the Hampton Roads community and enjoyed a tremendous amount of admiration and attention from all who experienced it at
the Nauticus Maritime Center. The exhibit is now back and relocated on the second level of the Nauticus Maritime Center directly across from the
entrance to the Battleship USS Winsconsin. Access to the second level is free to the public.
Dream to Dive Exhibit: The Life of Master Chief Carl Brashear (Feb 21 – June 7, 2009)
The Nauticus Maritime Center in Norfolk, Virginia has unveiled its newest exhibit honoring the life of Hampton Road’s most
celebrated sailor, United States Navy Master Chief and Master Diver Carl Brashear. This is the first museum display of this
magnitude ever to have been done in Carl Brashear’s honor. Mr. Brashear’s life and legacy is no stranger to the average American.
Portrayed in the 20th Century Fox blockbuster movie ‘Men of Honor’ starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Robert Deniro, this courageous
man’s accomplishments during the course of his naval career are displayed for all to enjoy. The added bonus to this display is
the fact that Carl Brashear spent nearly 45 of his 75 years of life in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, giving the center
‘hometown Hero” bragging rights. His final resting place is minutes from downtown Norfolk at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens on Virginia
Beach Blvd.
In a collaborative effort, the Nauticus Maritime Center, together with Carl Brashear’s sons, Dawayne and Phillip, have raised the
bar to another level by opening an elaborate 3300 sq. ft. exhibit hall depicting Carl Brashear’s life. On display are two of Mr.
Brashear’s prosthetic limbs that he wore while diving, working out and on dressed occasions, a life-sized Mark V Dive Suit, a movie
section that plays scenes from Men of Honor, and an awards and honors area. The exhibit also boasts an interactive area for kids
where they can actually try their skills at the demanding physical exercises that enabled Carl’s remarkable return to active duty
as a Navy diver after the loss of one of his legs in an accident. “My grandpa was so brave, and I want the whole world to know.”
said eight-year-old Tyler Brashear. “Tyler has fond memories of his grandfather Carl, and he can now share them with others all
over the world,” said Carl’s son Phillip. Multiple display monitors are fixed throughout the exhibit to give documentary footage
for the public to observe.
Martha Walker, Tim Scott, Rolf Johnson and a host of other Nauticus employees and volunteers worked diligently to complete the
project in just over a two-month time-frame. During the “Members’ only” preview held on Friday evening Feb 20th, Rolf stated that
this project was a ‘labor of love’ as his crew performed their work flawlessly. Carl’s sons Dawayne, Phillip, and Patrick, were
on hand. Randy Brashear, (Carl Brashear’s grandson by deceased son Shazanta) and Ron Brashear, (Carl Brashear’s nephew from his
deceased brother Haskell) from Atlanta, Georgia were also in attendance. Everyone present was awestruck as they witnessed history
in the making. “We hope that everyone who screens this exhibit will leave with the mindset that no dream is impossible provided
that you are willing to put forth the hard work and perseverance that it will take to accomplish their goals.” said Carl’s youngest
son Patrick. “Our father represented honor to the highest degree and that makes us so proud,” added Dawayne.
The exhibit has a limited engagement time until the 7th of June so be sure to travel to Norfolk, Virginia to witness this
astounding moment in American history.
Reflections. . .The Early Years
The Nauticus Maritime Center in downtown Norfolk, Virginia was the setting of the latest event involving the Carl Brashear ‘Dream
to Dive’ exhibit. Dawayne Brashear, Carl’s oldest living son opened his own one-man show titled ‘Reflection…The Early Years’.
During this presentation, Dawayne informs the audience of how his father’s life influenced him and the family environment during
his childhood. Dawayne describes his presentation as a way of giving the public a much more in-depth look at the man Carl Brashear
was. Carl Brashear life includes so many details and events that the movie, Men of Honor could have never told in a two-hour
time-span. Now that Dawayne has this production in place, many can share in the never-before told stories that provide a 360
degree description of Carl Brashear. Dawayne and his brother Phillip see this as another way to spread their father’s story and
to help others find the determination in themselves that Carl did.
Dawayne Brashear, age 52, is a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate in design. He also works as a model, actor, and an interior
designer in the New York area. He is also the father of Lauren Brashear who serves as the ship’s sponsor for the 400 million dollar
Navy ship, the USNS Carl Brashear. This ship is currently serving the United States Navy under the Military Sealift Command on the west
coast.
On April 24th 2009 at approximately 0745 hours, the Tom Joyner Morning Show gave a tremendous shout-out to the late Master Chief
and Master Diver Carl Brashear and the Nauticus Museum. Mr. Joyner informed his crowd of 30 million-plus of the life of Carl Brashear
and his exhibit in the Nauticus Maritime Center in Norfolk, Va. Mr. Joyner always does his little-known Black History facts around
that time and this day was for Carl Brashear. Tom Joyner showed much respect for the life of Carl Brashear as did his celebrity
hosts to include J. Anthony Brown and Sybil Wilkes. Tom Joyner also had taped interviews with Carl’s sons Dawayne and Phillip.
Tom Joyner also allowed the story of Carl Brashear to appear on blackamericaweb.com. Tom Joyner serves as an icon among African-American
people and always leads the cause of promoting African-American pride wherever he goes. Many thanks to Mr. Tom Joyner!!!
