NAS Jax celebrates Navy's 232nd birthday

With an emotional speaker, music from the Navy Region Southeast Band, a gourmet meal and a replica of the Statue of Liberty as you walked into the dining area, it was beyond a doubt an evening to remember.

"As we all know, no event can take place without precise coordination and organization," exclaimed NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr.

"Everyone has done an absolutely superb job in putting this event together."

Master of Ceremonies, NAS Jacksonville Command Master Chief CMDCM(AW) Chris Green, started the evening off welcoming all branches of the armed forces. He then read a message from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and explained the importance of "A small table by itself," the empty place setting honoring those Prisoners of War and Missing in Action (POW/MIA) who were not able to attend the ceremony.

"They are commonly called POW's or MIA's but we call them brothers. They are unable to be with us this evening so we remember them," said Green.

Navy Ball guest speaker Hafford Sharp speaks to the crowd about his experiences as a survivor of USS Indianapolis (CA 35).

After the parading of the colors by the NAS Jax Honor Support Team and the invocation,

NAS Jax celebrates Navy's 232nd birthday Green conducted the two-bell ceremony to honor missing and fallen comrades.

After dinner, Scorby introduced guest speaker Hafford Sharp, a World War II survivor of USS Indianapolis (CA 35) which was sunk July 31, 1945. Sharp was also a veteran of the battle of Iwo Jima and the battle of Okinawa where the Indianapolis provided shore bombardment, air defense and survived a kamikaze attack.

"I know that a lot of our young Sailors are not familiar with the story of the dramatic sinking, so I have no doubt that his account will be riveting for you," said Scorby. "Mr. Sharp is a living testament to our naval heritage."

Sharp spoke in detail about his experiences on the night Indianapolis was sunk and how he survived four days in the water.

"When we were hit, there were no lights, but having been on the ship so long I did not need lights to get my clothes on and move topside," said Sharp.

NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. thanks those who coordinated this year's Navy Ball and introduces guest speaker Hafford Sharp, a survivor of USS Indianapolis (CA 35).

"As people walked past, I had to stop them and ask what happened because when we were hit, we barely felt it."

Sharp also explained about the last thing he saw before he jumped overboard. "I don't know why I did, but before I jumped I looked over my shoulder and I could see the aft of the ship coming out of the water and I could see the screws still turning," he continued.

Sharp's dramatic words summarized the way many Sailors past and present have felt about the Navy and ended his speech to a standing ovation.

"When I went in the water that first night, I wasn't worried because I knew the ocean was big, but so is our Navy," remarked Sharp.

Following Sharp's remarks, was the traditional cake-cutting ceremony with oldest Sailor HS-3 Command Master Chief CMDCM Olan Peters and the youngest Sailor present, MUSN Maxwell Garcia-Gonzalez of Navy Band Southeast. They were joined by Scorby and Sharp. Peters and Garcia-Gonzalez have over a 40-year difference of age between them.

The evening was concluded with a variety of songs provided by the Navy Region Southeast Band.