NSA Bahrain celebrates Navy's 237th Birthday

Photo By Weam M Ahmed | Naval Support Activity Bahrain Commanding Officer Capt. Colin Walsh, left, and retired Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Maloney, retired, cut the cake in a ceremony to celebrate the 237th Navy Birthday at NSA Bahrain, Oct. 11. Maloney is the Sailor that The Lone Sailor statue was modeled after. (U.S. Navy photo by Weam M. Ahmed)  

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN

10.11.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (EXW) Timothy Wilson
NSA Bahrain

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN - This year is very special for the U.S. Navy. First, sailors around the world will celebrate their Navy's 237th birthday on Oct. 13, and secondly, it is the bicentennial of the start of the War of 1812.

Members of the Naval Support Activity Bahrain community contributed to these celebrations with a 3km Fun Run, with a free T-shirt for the first 237 participants to complete the run and an observance with a message from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. Afterward, a birthday cake cutting ceremony was held, with NSA Commanding Officer Capt. Colin Walsh and retired Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Maloney, the inspiration for The Lone Sailor statue, concluded the day's ceremonies at NSA Bahrain, Oct. 11.

"The war of 1812 served as a critical turning point for our Navy," said Greenert, in a message to the Fleet. "On this 237th birthday of our Navy, we have the honor to serve in the greatest maritime fighting force the world has ever seen, but we do so with humility, continuing to build upon the framework those fighting Sailors forged before us."

On Friday the 13th, Oct. 1775, a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia gave birth to the U.S. Navy by commissioning two sailing vessels, armed with ten carriage guns and a crew of 80 Sailors each to deploy on a three-month mission intercepting transports intended to aid the British army.

Not until 1972 had the Navy officially recognized their birthday until, then CNO Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, authorized a Fleet-wide observance.

"Established under the same guiding principles we use today; Honor, Courage and Commitment, our Navy was formed to protect our nation," said Lt. Ryan Magee, NSA Bahrain's Aviation Safety Officer and director of the NSA Bahrain birthday planning committee. "The war of 1812 was the first true test of our Navy. The outcome of that conflict ensured free trade and maritime navigation which are vital to our national interests, then and now."

MCPON(AW/NAC) Mike D. Stevens said he believes the strength and backbone of the Navy lies in the decency and respect Sailors have for one another.

"How we conduct ourselves professionally is something that we should all actively strive to do every day," said Stevens in a message to the fleet. "It adds value, influences those around us in a positive way and is truly important to our primary mission of war fighting."

NSA Bahrain Executive Officer Cmdr. Justin Rubino said the Navy's birthday is not just a time to look at the accomplishments of your fellow shipmates, but also to reflect on the achievements and sacrifices of the past.

"We are proud to be a part of that tradition and part of the celebration," said Rubino. "The Navy is always evolving and improving, but we are also entrenched in tradition and that is important to remember where we came from."

Capt. Walsh said even though our Navy is comparatively young to other countries, it is also the age of our country.

"It's been a very busy time, very challenging, but our Navy has grown from the single ship actions to the powerful Naval force it is today to ensure collective security and defense of our country," he said. "Happy Birthday, Shipmates."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2012
• Date Posted: 10.11.2012 09:14
• Story ID: 95980
• Location: NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN, BH