Happy Birthday, US Navy!

Greetings!:

Begging the indulgence of those who might find two military-birthday posts back-to-back "overkill," here cometh yet another such! 

In the name of the House of Old-School, I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the United States Navy on the occasion of its 231st anniversary! 

As a most-interesting article on the Naval Historical Center's Website,
www.history.navy.mil,
informs/reminds us, the Continental Congress established a navy on this date in 1775.  This was somewhat controversial prior to that date, some Members
preferring to see if issues could be worked out with the Mother Country before escalating hostilities.  Yet General Washington, as it were, was a step
ahead.  He brought in one or more ships, and notified the Congress of these in early October of that year.  There thus seemed no longer any need of delaying
the establishment of such a navy, and so it was established on this date.  This would be disbanded after the Revolutionary War, but, the new Constitution
of the United States providing for the establishment of a navy, a new one was established in 1798.  Yet the Navy, as do the Army and Marine Corps, prefers
to recognize the establishment dates of their Continental predecessors as their official birthdays. 

The US Navy, along with those of various other countries, has certainly come quite a way from the impressive tall-masted sailing vessels of earlier history
to the mechanized, and even nuclear, ships of modern navys, but hopefully the men and women who sail and serve on them, while they may be individually
flawed as we all are, are highly principled, qualified and brave at their core, thus providing this Nation with the sea, amphibious and, yes, air support
it requires in these troublesome times of ours.  One also assumes, whether rightly or wrongly, that increased mechanization might require less manpower
than before, but, whether or not it does, those who serve must be the best equipped and qualified personnel we can find!  One obviously hears much about
aircraft carriers, but a brief checking of the Navy's official Website,
www.navy.mil,
shows that there still are several other types of ships in use, including some amphibious craft, some World-War-II-types of which I once visited several
years ago.  Those wishing more details than I can give here, both for spacial and admittedly lack-of-full-knowledge reasons, are STRONGLY_ recommended
to seek such details there!  And yes, the Navy also has missiles in its arsenal, and several Naval Officers, along with their other Service counterparts,
have served valuably as astronauts. 

As I have done in two of my previous service-anniversary posts, I wish to share this time something from the Navy's Website, this being the Secretary of
the Navy's birthday greeting to the Fleet which now follows:

SECNAV Navy Birthday Message to the Fleet
Navy Newsstand
The Source for Navy News

www.news.navy.mil

Table with 2 columns and 4 rows

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter, speaks to local news reporters from the island of Oahu during a media availability onboard
Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

SECNAV Navy Birthday Message to the Fleet
Story Number: NNS061012-18
Release Date: 10/12/2006 6:20:00 PM
Top News Story - Editors should consider using these stories first in local publications.

Special message from Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- America is an amazing success story. From our humble origins we have grown, prospered, and offered freedom to generations of Americans.

We cherish our independence, our liberties, and our way of life, and like generations before, we unwaveringly defend these bedrocks from those who would
do us harm.

Since 1775, when the Continental Congress of the United States recognized the need for naval forces, the United States Navy has been vital in protecting
our national security. The heroism and courage of the Sailors that have fought our nation’s wars since the earliest days of the republic is alive today
in each and every one of you; as we once again confront an enemy that openly targets our freedom and our way of life. Your willingness to serve, your steadfastness
in the face of pressure, and your inspiring example of courage in confronting danger are what protect us from those who plot our destruction.

The fact that we live in an increasingly dangerous world is a sobering thought. We have faced great peril before, and we have prevailed. From those in Iraq
and Afghanistan, to those deployed at sea and ashore around the world, to those at home who are responsible for recruiting, training, supplying, and providing
intelligence to the warfighter, you are all engaged in a noble and worthy endeavor to preserve our way of life and keep America safe.

On this 231st Birthday of the United States Navy, take unique pride in knowing that your service and your sacrifice continue to do honor to a great nation.
Your nation, fellow Americans, and our friends and allies around the world respect and appreciate your commitment.

It is my honor and privilege to be your Secretary as we celebrate this birthday. May God bless you, your families, and the United States of America.

I join the Secretary in once again extending congratulations and best wishes to the US Navy on this special day for them!

Respectfully and joyfully submitted,

J. V.