Local sailor receives honor from Navy

Lt. Cody Kinser (Photo courtesy Navy Office of Community Outreach)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – A local man and U.S. Naval officer has received an honor from the Navy for outstanding performance of his duties.

The USS Little Rock Blue Ship Handler of the Year is Lt. Cody Kinser, according to our sister station WBWN.

The Ship Handler of the year award is given to Surface Warfare Officers who demonstrate superior performance while standing Officer of The Deck Underway on board the Navy’s newest platform, the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship.

Lt. Kinser is from Normal and received his commission from the University of Missouri. His qualifications include Surface Warfare, Officer of the Deck, and Anti-terrorism Tactical Watch Officer. He was previously stationed onboard the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95).

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…