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# Employees celebrate 241st Navy Birthday

By Cathy Hopkins DLA Aviation Public Affairs

                Richmond, Virginia  –              
Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, employees gathered in the Center Restaurant Oct. 13 to celebrate the Navy’s 241st birthday.

Formed on Oct. 13, 1775, the Navy started with the purchase of two armed vessels and today is the superior Maritime fighting force respected throughout the world. 

The celebration began with the audience singing the National Anthem led by Laurie Darrisaw, equal employment specialist, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Kimberly Norris, battalion chaplain, 276th Engineer Battalion, 91st Troop Command, Virginia Army National Guard, Petersburg, Virginia, provided the invocation.  

In a birthday video message, Adm. John Richardson, chief of Naval Operations, and Lt. Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, sent their greetings.  Adm. Richardson told sailors, “At and from the sea, we have enhanced safety, security and stability, which has led to American prosperity.”

Richardson went on to say, “To succeed in today’s super-complex environment we must be the force that provides our national leadership with thoughtful solutions to tough problems. We must represent our navy and our nation with pride and professionalism. We must look to our core attributes of integrity, accountability, initiative and toughness as our guide to living by our core values [of honor, courage, and commitment.]

After the video, Navy Rear Adm. Peter Stamatopoulos, director, Fleet Ordnance and Supply, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the event guest speaker, shared his birthday thoughts with the audience.

“Though my remarks are geared toward our sailors, I hope they resonate with all services as we all have heroes across our services,” said Stamatopoulos.
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He said there are three qualities or characteristics shared by our sailors that contribute to our success.  These qualities are reflected in the 2016 Navy birthday theme "America's Sailor. For 241 Years: Tough, Bold, and Ready.
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“It has been the Navy’s tough, bold and ready character that enables [sailors] to endure, and ultimately fight and win,” he said.  

Stamatopoulos then led the audience through a short naval history, highlighting several Navy heroes from the past that exemplify today’s American sailor including: Petty Officer Third Class Paul Carr’s toughness as gunner's mate of the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) at the Battle of Samar during World War II; John Paul Jones’ defining of the concept of boldness through his words, “I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, as I intend to go into harm’s way;” and Admiral Chester Nimitz’ ready leadership and willingness to make tough decisions as commander in chief, United States Pacific Fleet (1942) during the Battle of Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway.

“The warrior spirit is the attribute that inspires us, mentally and temperamentally, to make the hard fight in defense of the nation, regardless of the odds against us, the American sailor must be ready to fight,” he said. Stamatopoulos went on to say that the success of the Navy would not be possible without the superb support of logisticians like those working in DLA.

“Everything you do [DLA employees] is appreciated and your impact is felt across the fleet,” he said in closing. 

The ceremony concluded with the audience singing “Anchors Aweigh” and the cutting of the traditional birthday cake by the guest speaker; the youngest sailor, Lt. John Harmony, Navy Acquisition Contracting Officer Intern, DLA Aviation Supplier Operations Directorate; and the most senior sailor, Cmdr Jacqueline Meyer, military deputy, DLA Aviation Supplier Operations Directorate.

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