Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMCM) Sherman Byrd, the first Black Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the U.S. Navy, is being honored in a first of its kind exhibit by the United States Department of Defense at the Pentagon.

The first Black Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the U.S. Navy

On April 23, part of a corridor in the Pentagon was dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony to honor the joint explosive ordnance disposal mission and the opening of the exhibit in which the history-making Byrd is prominently featured.

Throughout his career, BMCM Byrd served on 10 ships, and supported the Secret Service in the protection of U.S. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. Byrd was a native of Mississippi and lived and trained in Virginia, where he also passed away.

“I am overjoyed to see the historic naval contributions of my father be honored at the Pentagon,” said Cynthia Byrd Conner, daughter of BMCM Sherman Byrd, who published the book on his career disarming bombs “Quiet Strong” several years ago.

“While he did not bring a lot of attention to himself, he was the epitome of a ‘sea daddy,’ mentoring young sailors until they became subject matter experts.  He led by example while performing such a dangerous job, and he did it quietly.”

Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit

The new Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit is the first and only exhibit in the Pentagon that represents the history, mission, culture and tools of the Joint EOD Force.

U.S. Navy’s EOD Division

The U.S. Navy’s EOD Division was founded in 1941 after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.  Technicians who are part of the division render safe unexploded bombs and ordnances, including improvised, chemical, biological and nuclear – both on land and underwater.

“It’s truly an honor to officially open the Pentagon’s first and only explosive ordnance disposal exhibit,” said Melissa Dalton, deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“The brave men and women who volunteer for this dangerous special duty are out there in our communities, on our military installations, traveling with the president and deployed across the world every day of the year.”

Ribbon cutting ceremony

More than three dozen members of the Byrd family from California, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Illinois attended the ribbon cutting.

Joining the U.S. Navy in 1947, Byrd became the first Black American to graduate from EOD School in Indian Head, Maryland in 1958. He previously graduated from the Deep-Sea Diving School at Washington Navy Yard and Naval School Underwater Swimmers, in Key West, Florida. In 1969, he was promoted to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate, a rank that only 1% of all enlisted personnel achieve.

Byrd died at the age of 40 in 1971 in Virginia from a heart attack following a physical training exercise. In 2009, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit 2 facility was dedicated in his honor. In 2022, he was also honored with a Resolution in Jacksonville, Florida, where his daughter lives.

Tour the Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit

Those wishing to reserve a Pentagon Tour must be 18 years or older and a United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

Before the tour, all adult tour members must register as Pentagon Visitors and be cleared by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to enter the Pentagon for the tour.

To reserve a tour, please visit the Pentagon Tour Reservation Portal.

S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc. has announced the launch of the groundbreaking SMART Tech Health Hub project in Opa-Locka, Florida, which aims to provide residents, children, and families with access to high-quality STEM education.

About the SMART Tech Health Hub

With $4,000,000 in funding from the state of Florida, this innovative initiative is the first of its kind in the city, aiming to provide residents, children, and families with access to high-quality STEM education, re-entry pathways to the STEM workforce, broadband width, and basic essential health services.

S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc founder Anike Sakariyawo

“The partnership with the Miami Foundation’s Digital Equity Collective program has been pivotal in advancing this initiative,” says Founder of SEEK Foundation, Inc., Anike Sakariyawo.  “We are looking to provide Opa-Locka community members of all ages access to educational resources and pathways to STEM careers to children and adults, and a space to innovate and follow individual curiosity.”

Beacon of opportunity and advancement

The Smart Tech Health Hub is looking to fill a void that has long been felt in the community as the City of Opa-Locka has no high school or technical facility.

Anticipated to be fully operational by December 2026, the SMART Tech Health Hub will serve as a beacon of opportunity and advancement for the local community, empowering individuals with the tools and resources needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world.

The SMART Tech Health Hub will be a multifaceted building, serving a purpose for each level.

The first and second floors are designed for children and staff members of S.E.E.K foundation to conduct everyday operations for educational programs in STEM. This will include a pipeline program to create academic access to a specific industry (e.g. USDA – food, agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI) learning deployment and integration, cybersecurity, coding program, robotics, UI/UX Design, etc.).

The third floor will allow children and families to have access to basic health needs, such as annual shots/vaccinations, back to school boosters, telehealth, as additional sites for the community.

1st Annual Youth STEM Summit

This Summer,  S.E.E.K. Foundation, Inc. hosted their 1st Annual Youth STEM Summit, which inspired 500 young students about the opportunities and importance of STEM education. Through hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and informative presentations, they ignited curiosity and nurtured students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

For more information, please visit: https://seekedu.org

Renée McMillan was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, she was adopted and decades later, Renee was reunited with her biological family which brought her a great sense of joy and fulfillment.

She was a product of the New York City School System and would not hesitate to tell you that she was from Brooklyn, more specifically, “Do or Die Bed-Stuy” which signified the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.

Highly educated

Renée was highly educated and every facet of the word excellence.

She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Office Management and Supervision from Buffalo State University, an Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Georgian Court University, and a Master of Arts in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Career

She started her career as an Accounts Payable Bookkeeper for the Gamma Liaison Photo Agency in NYC. After that, she served as a Sales Representative for Nabisco before entering her calling: the field of Education.

Renee McMillan as an educator

Renée worked many years in the Asbury Park and Neptune Public School systems before finishing up her career as Vice Principal, at the School of Architecture, Construction, and Trades at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, New Jersey. She had a passion for education and spent countless summers tutoring students in math. Renée received great satisfaction in inspiring her students to set goals and understand their purpose for their lives.

Real estate

After retiring from the Paterson Board of Education, Renée worked as a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.

Renée McMillan served the community

She continued her service by being actively involved in the community. She held positions as Director of Neptune Township Biddy Basketball, a humble servant in the Women’s Ministry at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey, a former County Committee Member for District 10 in Neptune, a member of The PAC Program at Monmouth University, and also coordinated the GOTV activities for local, state, and national campaigns which provided the youth of Neptune with employment during the political season.

Renée’s hobbies were cooking and reading. She became well-known for her culinary and baking skills, extending her love towards others with her incredible gift.

Her legacy will live on forever

Renée leaves to mourn her memory to her loving and dedicated husband, her beloved children, two daughters and one son, her precious grandchildren, one girl and boy, a devoted and caring godmother, god sister and godbrother, godson and goddaughter, two doting sisters, three adoring brothers, two special brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives as well as a countless number of friends and colleagues.

Renée was loved by the Unheard Voices community and she sorely be missed.

Visit James Hunt Funeral Home to read Renee McMillan’s obituary in full.