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Monterey Peninsula Celebrates Navy's 242 Years at Annual Ball
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Patrick Dionne

Monterey Peninsula Celebrates Navy's 242 Years at Annual Ball

By MC2 Patrick Dionne

Sailors from Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) and Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSAM) joined by friends and family listen to the keynote speech from the Chief of Naval Personnel Vice. Adm. Robert Burke during the annual ball celebrating the Navy’s 242nd birthday in NPS’ Barbara McNitt Ballroom, Oct. 14.

“Celebrating our birthday gives us an important opportunity to reflect on our history and how much has changed in past 242 years,” said Burke. “Our fleet has changed in size and composition and operational demands have increased dramatically, but our Sailors today are the best they have ever been by any measure.”

Throughout his remarks, Burke reflected on the Navy’s long history, citing stories from groundbreaking events of the past including the building of the Navy’s first 6 frigates to the courage and determination of Sailors serving in the Pacific theatre in World War II.

“Those who came before us, who’s lives have given us this great Navy, they stand relieved,” said Burke. “We have the watch now, and it is up to us to ensure the future of our Navy for our reliefs when that day comes.”

The ball kicked off with cocktails and socializing before guests made their way to their seats in the ballroom, once there the guests dined on a three-course meal while partaking in a ceremony that included DLIFLC’s honor guard parading the colors before remarks were delivered by Burke. The dinner was concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting ceremony which saw Burke joined by the youngest Sailor in the audience, Seaman Apprentice Savanna DiDomenico, to cut the cake, further emphasizing the importance of the Navy’s future.  

“I will never forget that I just cut the cake with the Chief of Naval Personnel,” said DiDomenico, who is currently attending A-School at DLIFLC. “The whole experience made me realize how much history and experience there is around me and how much there still is to come.”

In 1972, then Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of October 13 as the Navy's birthday. Since then, each CNO has encouraged a Navy-wide celebration of the occasion to enhance a greater appreciation of our Navy heritage, and to provide a positive influence toward pride and professionalism in the naval service.
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