Photo By Douglas Stutz | Sharing on the past while celebrating the present...Master Chief Hospital Corpsman...... read more read more
Naval Hospital Bremerton’s active duty and retired chief petty officers (CPO) celebrated their birthday on March 31, 2017, a day shy of officially becoming 124 years.
The majority of the command’s 45 active duty chiefs and many retired chiefs gathered with staff, beneficiaries and guests to recognize their anniversary and unique status in the U.S. Navy enlisted community.
“What is the Chief’s Mess about? It’s about taking care of people, setting the example, doing what’s right, and being available to care for Sailors. I am truly blessed to be at this command with the chiefs and retired chiefs working here. I see retirees who even do not work here and come back to give back,” said NHB Command Master Chief James Reynolds.
Reynolds also stressed that the Chief’s Mess is also about remembering.
“We remember our two fallen brothers – (retired Chief Storekeeper) Gene Hanson and (retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate) Jerry Irvine both lost to us over the last few months,” added Reynolds said, calling for a moment of silence in their honor.
Irvine passed away on March 26, 2017, at age 82. He served his nation for 21 years, on nine different ships, with three tours in Vietnam, including River Section 523 in the Mekong River Delta, and River Section 521 near Hue City during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Hanson passed away on January 23 at age 92. His Navy career of 22 years spanned three decades with involvement in World War Two, the Korean War and Vietnam War. Irvine and Hanson were considered unofficial ‘adopted’ staff members at NHB.
Also called upon to share a few words of wisdom was Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Countryman.
“Over our 124 years as a chief there is one thing that has never changed and that is our standard. A strong mess equates to a successful command. We lead and mentor our Sailors, with dignity and respect. We might never know who we are helping to grow…and there are some standing here today who are our reliefs. Someone might be the next master chief petty officer of the Navy or the next chief of naval operations,” said Countryman, who has been a Navy chief for 17 of his almost 30 years of active duty.
As Reynolds did before him, Countryman urged everyone in the audience to continue to remember the legacy of those who served before them.
“We can never forget those who came before us. We stand on their shoulders,” Countryman said.
The actual date of the CPO birthday, April 1, 2017 will have NHB chiefs join with other chiefs from various commands on Naval Base Kitsap Bangor for the ‘2017 CPO Birthday 5K’ which is open to all active duty, retiree, dependents and authorized patrons.
It was on April 1, 1893 that Navy General Order 409 of February 25, 1893, established the rate of chief petty officer. As Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven S. Giordano wrote, “April 1st marks the 124th birthday of the Chief Petty Officer and no doubt there will be commemorations of the authentic, competent and courageous leadership provided by chiefs to our Sailors for all those years.
“Chief petty officers must lead by example, and for the past 124 years, we have served as that example for our Navy as fountains of wisdom, ambassadors of good will, and authorities in personal relations as well as in technical applications making day to day Navy life happen for every command afloat or ashore. The exalted position we hold today exists because of the attitude and performance of the chiefs before us and shall exist only as long as we maintain these standards,” shared Giordano.
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2017 21:56 |
| Story ID: | 228844 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 428 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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