“When asked what I am most proud of, I stick out my chest, hold my head high and state proudly, 'I served in the United States Navy!'” ~ President John F. Kennedy
On this date in 1775, the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy. The purpose of the act was 'the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America.' To oversee the assigned tasks, a Navy Committee was also formed.
Following the Revolution, Congress effectively disbanded the Navy, but the Constitution, when ratified in 1789, authorized the federal government to "to provide and maintain a navy."
Official recognition of the birthday was authorized by Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt in 1972.
You can go here for more information on the birth of the Navy.
"A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace." ~ President Theodore Roosevelt
"The Navy has both a tradition and a future--and we look with pride and confidence in both directions." ~ Admiral George Anderson
Happy Birthday to all who have served - and continue to do - and uphold the fine traditions of this branch, keeping us safe.
1 comment:
Though I'm a day late and the son of a 'leatherneck' and not a 'squid', I wish to offer due respect to the warriors of the waves.
I can think of no way better than with a quote from our first president, who likewise never served a day at sea:
"It follows than as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious."
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