Memorial Day Observation Ceremony
Thursday, May 22, 2025
1:30 p.m.
University Commons Auditorium, Building 22
Free parking available in Lots K and H
No parking pass needed
UWF's Military and Veterans Resource Center invites all students and the general public to the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony. Hear from guest speaker Capt. Chandra Newman, commanding officer of NAS Pensacola. The event will honor and recognize the fallen, MIA, and POW.
RSVPs are encouraged.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations is requested to advise UWF by contacting the ADA Program Office at 850.474.2694, 711 (TTY), visit or email ada@uwf.edu at least two (2) business days prior to the event.
Capt. Chandra Newman
Capt. Chandra Newman serves as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. She is a native of Inverness, Florida, and holds a bachelor's degree in education from Troy State University and a master's in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. She also completed the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Executive Education program. Her awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Medal, and three Navy Commendation Medals.
Newman’s assignments started with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 including 2005 Pakistan Earthquake Relief operations in Kashmir and detachments onboard USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Iwo Jima, (LHD-7) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). She served as an Aviation Safety Officer and Standardization Officer at HSC-2 and provided Presidential support to Camp David. Newman was the Assistant Navigator of the Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) earning Officer of the Deck and Command Duty Officer Underway qualifications. She served as the Operations Officer Department Head at HSC-25 in Yigo, Guam. Her tour included Detachment Officer in Charge for Operation Damayan and Talisman Saber as well as joint operations with U.S. Army 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion in the Republic of Korea. In her joint tour, she was the Executive Officer of U.S. European Command C4 Directorate and Joint Cyber Center.
Newman commanded HSC-5 Nightdippers of CVW-7, deploying around the world with Carrier Strike Group 12 and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) earning the 2019 Battle “E” supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Sentinel.
More recently, Newman was a Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow with Raytheon Intelligence & Space in Arlington, Virginia integrating with the Vice President of Maritime Dominance and the Vice President of Strategy, Campaigns, and Analysis. Newman most recently served as Naval Aviation’s Leadership, Education, Growth, Advocacy, Culture and Youth Outreach (LEGACY) Director at CNAF Headquarters.
Newman assumed command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Nov. 15, 2024.