NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — In February of last year with hundreds of well-wishers in attendance at Naval Station Norfolk, Captain Janet Days exclaimed, “This is the day that the Lord has made.”
It was an emotional scene when Days made history and national headlines when she became the first Black person, and the first Black woman to command the world’s largest Naval base , which opened in 1918 and was built by former slaves and the descendants of slaves.
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Eighteen months later, Days issued a refrain, “This is the day that the Lord has made, ” before NJROTC cadets, top brass, a 101-year-old World War II veteran, and those who traveled for miles to witness a chapter in Naval, Black and American history, as Days retired from the Navy.
Dave Larson, Days’ former commanding officer on USS Simon Lake, has attended all of her promotion ceremonies. Larson and his wife who live in Texas, were on hand Friday for the final fair winds and following seas message for the Old Dominion University graduate.