MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- Station sailors gathered to celebrate the Navy’s 232nd birthday Oct. 11 during a formal ceremony at the station chapel courtyard here.
Corpsmen, doctors, nurses, dentists and a slew of other professionals who make up the station’s Navy presence stood proudly during the ceremony to recognize the long and rich history of the U.S. Navy and remember the past contributions of the family -- friends -- sailors who made the service what it is today.
The ceremony started with readings from the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, and Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, birthday messages, which pointed out the importance of the men and women who serve in the naval force.
“It is you, every sailor, Navy civilian and family member serving around the world or here at home, who truly keeps our fleet on a steady course today and sets the course for generations to come,” said Roughead.
“Take quiet pride in knowing that your service and your sacrifice will continue to do honor to a great nation,” said Winter in the birthday message.
After the messages were read, the sailors remembered past brothers and sisters in arms who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom during a brief Prisoner of War/Missing in Action and Two-Bell ceremony.
The mood was solemn as Petty Officer 3rd Class Anya Zaps and Seaman Nyle Tso, set the table with a Bible, black napkin, single red rose, yellow candle and wine glass to remember all service members who could not be there to celebrate.
The ceremony ended with the sounds of the toll bell and the playing of Taps as sailors and fellow Marines who attended the event, stood at attention symbolically saying “goodbye” and “thank you.”
Retired Senior Chief Cliff White, the event’s guest speaker spoke at the conclusion of taps, leading into the cake cutting ceremony.
The cake, in Navy tradition is cut by both the facilities’ oldest and youngest sailor by using a military combat knife and then eaten by both individuals. The cutting of the cake by the two seamen symbolizes the “passing of the torch” from one generation of sailors to the next.
Cmdr. Abel Ramirez, Marine Aircraft Group 13 chaplain, was this year’s “most life experienced” sailor at 57 years old and Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony M. Stephens was the youngest sailor, born Sept. 11, 1988.
It was a special honor and tremendous privilege to be the oldest sailor in the birthday ceremony, said Ramirez, commenting on the fact this was the first time he was able to be a part of the cake cutting ceremony.
On the other side of the age bracket, Stephens was honored to be a part of the birthday celebration.
Cutting the cake was a great opportunity, said Stephens, a native of San Diego. It was a once in a lifetime thing only a few sailors can say they have done.
“Knowing that I am a part of history makes me feel good,” he added.
As the day and the ceremony drew to a close, the attendees and the ceremony participants stood one last time as the Navy and Marine Corps’ hymns filled the courtyard.
Sometimes it becomes difficult to see just how much the Navy and the other armed forces have impacted the world, said White. But it is through these events and these times that sailors can see they have accomplished a great deal for this country.
The station Navy personnel finished the celebration of their service’s birthday with a ball later that evening and taking Friday off.
The official birth date of the Navy is October 13, 1775.