KANSAS CITY, Mo. – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are in the area this week for Kansas City Navy Week, volunteering in the community and discussing why the Navy matters to the Heart of America.
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| Legalman 2nd Class Mya Lister |
While many of the visiting sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for those sailors from the area, including Petty Officer 2nd Class Mya Lister, a native of Kansas City, Missouri. Lister is currently assigned to USS John C. Stennis, one of the Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
“I’m looking forward to bringing awareness about the Navy to my local community and sharing my Navy experience with my family and friends,” said Lister.
Lister graduated from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in 2018. Additionally, Lister is working toward a bachelor’s degree in legal studies through Roger Williams University and is expected to graduate in 2025.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Kansas City.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of perseverance and integrity,” said Lister.
Lister joined the Navy six years ago.
“I joined the Navy to make my mother proud,” said Lister. “I am an only child and being in the Navy to me is the highest honor in the military.”
Today, Lister serves as a legalman.
“As a Navy Legalman, I do paralegal work, process sailors for non-judicial punishment, administrative separation,” said Lister. “I perform notaries, power of attorneys and make sure everyone at my command is fleet ready.”
Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Kansas City.
This is the fourth Navy Week to be hosted by Kansas City and the surrounding communities, with the last visit in 2021.
“Sailors are the reason America’s Navy is the most powerful in the world,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, NAVCO’s director. “We are thrilled to bring your Navy Warfighters to Kansas City. At Navy Weeks, Americans will connect with sailors who have strong character, competence, and dedication to the mission, and who continue a nearly 250-year tradition of decisive power from the seabed to cyberspace.”
Throughout the week, sailors have been participating in various community events across the area, including ceremonial celebrations at Harry S. Truman Museum, WWI Museum, and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; volunteering with the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy, Habitat for Humanity Kansas City, Bishop Sullivan’s Center, Happy Bottoms, and Thelma’s Kitchen; and engaging with students across multiple high schools. Navy Band Great Lakes will be on hand all week providing free live music at venues across the area for residents’ enjoyment.
“I want to be a source of positivity for my hometown,” said Lister.
Lister has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of becoming a Navy legalman,” said Lister.
Lister is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my mother, Theresa Davis, and my uncle, Marvin Davis,” added Lister.