Photo By Andrew Miller | Commander Mark Winward, Regimental Combat Team 5 regimental chaplain, gives the...... read more read more
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CAMP DWYER, Helmand province, Afghanistan – More than 70 sailors, Marines and civilians turned out to show their support and appreciation as the sailors here honored 236 years of pride and tradition during the U.S. Navy Birthday celebration, Oct. 14.
Although Camp Dwyer is more than 600 miles from the nearest ocean, the Navy continues to prove its worth on land and in the air. Valuable services provided by the Navy for coalition forces in Helmand include medical and engineering assets, close air support, and a chaplain corps.
The ceremony began with the playing of the National Anthem, followed by the invocation given by Cmdr. Mark Winward, Regimental Combat Team 5 chaplain. The attendees then viewed a video honoring those sailors who lost their lives during Operation Enduring Freedom, and reflected on their sacrifice during a moment of silence.
The moment of silence was followed by the traditional Prisoner of War/Missing in Action observance. It included a small table set for one, symbolizing one prisoner alone against his oppressor.
The white table cloth symbolized the purity of their motives when answering their country’s call to arms. The single rose in a vase with a yellow ribbon tied around its stem is a reminder of the life of each missing service member and their loved ones who keep the faith awaiting their safe return. A slice of lemon on the plate is a reminder of their bitter fate. A pinch of salt poured on the plate is symbolic of the tears their families shed as they wait. The bible placed on the table represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those who are lost. A glass was inverted to display their inability to share in the toast. The chair at the table was empty because they were not in attendance. The lit candle was reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in everyone’s hearts to illuminate their way home.
The POW/MIA observance concluded as Taps was played for the missing service members.
All sailors in attendance recited the Sailor’s Creed in unison: “I am a United States sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world. I proudly serve my country’s Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment. I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.”
The guest of honor for the event was Sgt. Maj. Ernest Hoopii, Regimental Combat Team 5 sergeant major.
“I am a fan of the Navy. I have seen Marines extremely hurt, and when they needed help it wasn’t going to be mom that was coming,” said Hoopii, a native of Maui, Hawaii. “It was going to be a Navy corpsman. I have seen them do some amazing things on the battlefield.”
After the message from Hoopii, it was time for the cake cutting ceremony. The oldest sailor in attendance was Senior Chief Petty Officer Renato Tolosa, who was born May 27, 1957 and enlisted in the Navy in March 1986. The youngest sailor was Seaman Apprentice Connor O’Keefe, who was born Dec. 23, 1989 and enlisted in the Navy in April 2010.
The first piece of cake was given to the guest of honor, the second to Tolosa, and O’Keefe received the third piece. The passing of the cake from the oldest to the youngest sailor symbolizes the passing of history and tradition from one generation to another.
“This was my first birthday celebration. I definitely felt a sense of pride,” said O’Keefe, a native of Portland, Ore. “I haven’t had a chance to do much yet, but after seeing all the senior sailors around me, I hope I am able to realize a lot more about what we do as a service and do some of the things they have done.”
According to the Naval History and Heritage Command:
The Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on Oct. 13, 1775, by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum strength.
After the American War for Independence, Congress sold the surviving ships of the Continental Navy and released the seamen and officers. The Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1789, empowered Congress “to provide and maintain a navy.” Acting on this authority, Congress ordered the construction and manning of six frigates in 1794, and the War Department administered naval affairs from that year until Congress established the Department of the Navy on April 30, 1798. In 1972 Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of Oct. 13 as the Navy’s birthday.
Editors Note: RCT-5 is assigned to 2nd Marine Division (Forward) which heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2011 13:39 |
| Story ID: | 78495 |
| Location: | CAMP DWYER, HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 448 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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