RICHMOND, Virginia –
The Navy Customer Facing Division, Customer Operations Directorate, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation hosted a celebration in honor of the Navy’s 242nd birthday during in the Center Restaurant on Oct. 13 at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.
Navy Cmdr. Howard Milligan opened the festivity with a video message by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano wishing the Navy family a happy birthday.
Milligan told the audience gathered about the Navy’s rich history.
“American sailors have upheld our mission to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. Today, we honor our great Navy’s 242nd birthday,” Milligan said.
This year’s theme is “Sea Power to Protect and Promote.”
Guest speaker Dassa Carvey, president, Military Women Across the Nation and a former Navy journalist, spoke about her experiences serving in the Navy and as a member of the Military Women Across the Nation.
Quoting Ronald Reagan early in her speech, Carvey talked about how his words inspired people, including women, to serve in the military.
“Women in WWII had to be volunteers,” she said. “They left home to join not only the workforce, but the military, as well not knowing what to expect.”
Carvey spoke about the women she knew who were part of the U.S. Naval Reserve unit, Women Accepted to Volunteer Emergency Service or WAVES.
“It took a lot of courage to board a troop train to go across country,” she said. “They volunteered to help their country to protect and promote freedom by performing duties that men performed ashore so that our country’s sea power could be strong.”
Carvey is an avid volunteer in her Hampton, Virginia, community. She has served in a number of positions with the WAVES National organization now known as Military Women Across the Nation including three terms as president.
The Navy Recruiting Detachment Richmond served as color guard and equal employment opportunity assistant Carolyn Clark-Swann, EEO Office, sang the national anthem.