Last modified Wed., October 18, 2006 - 04:09 PM
Originally created Thursday, October 19, 2006

NAS Jax celebrates Navy birthday

By MC1(AW) Toiete Jackson, Special Contributor

AG3 Horace Mai of Naval Aviation Facility Command, and retired CMDCM Bo Peters cut the Navy birthday cake at the NAS Jacksonville Navy Birthday Ball Saturday. As part of past tradition, the oldest and youngest Sailor attending the Navy Ball are given the honor of cutting the cake.
Photos by MC1(AW) Toiete Jackson

Sailors and civilians celebrated the 231st anniversary of the Navy at the annual Navy Birthday Ball held at Hangar 116 Saturday. With an inspiring speaker, music, a gourmet meal and a replica of the Statue of Liberty as you walked into the dining area, it was truly an evening to remember.

''This is a great celebration,'' exclaimed NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson. ''NAS Jax is a huge diverse military community. It is a great opportunity for all of the commands, active duty military, reservists, retirees and civilians to get together and celebrate our common ties with the U.S. Navy.''

Master of Ceremony NAS Jacksonville CMDCM(AW) Chris Green started the evening off welcoming all branches of the armed forces and reading a message from the Secretary of the Navy Dr. Donald Winter, which set the tone for the night.

''Tonight, we honor those who have served so proudly in the past, those who proudly stand the watch today and those among us who are the future of the Navy,'' stated Green.

Bagpiper Jim Sloan pipes the arrival of the official dinner party during the 231st Navy Birthday Ball as the NAS Jax Honor Support Team waits to parade the colors.

After the parading of colors by NAS Jax Honor Support Team and the invocation by Chaplain (Cmdr.) Michael Mikstay, Green conducted the two-bell ceremony to honor missing and fallen comrades. ''We are here to celebrate sea and air power through the people of the United States Navy - our Navy,'' said Green.

After dinner, Dobson took to the podium to introduce guest speaker retired Rear Adm. James Best. His message touched on a series of topics that captivated his audience's attention. His speech began with a history lesson on United States presidency and the establishment of the Constitution and ended with his views on the hyphenated American. ''Being an American is a way of life and pride that we have fought for for decades,'' remarked Best. ''I don't understand all of the hyphens we as Americans use to separate ourselves.''

His speech ended with a standing ovation. Guest Joanne Parra, wife of Lt. Cmdr Frank Parra of Wing-11, stated, ''I've been to five Navy balls and he was the best speaker of them all. He was a down-to-earth, Southern guy with an attitude. He kept my attention throughout the entire speech.''

The Navy Region Southeast Band "Pride" entertains guests at the 231st Navy Birthday Ball.

Following Best's remarks, the traditional cutting of the Navy Birthday Cake with oldest and youngest Sailor attending the ball took place. Retired CMDCM Bo Peters, the oldest Sailor present, and AG3 Horace Mai, the youngest Sailor present, cut the birthday cake. Mai of Naval Aviation Facility Command, won the honor of being the youngest Sailor in the room with a 40-year difference between him and the master chief.

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

Guest speaker retired Rear Adm. James Best delivers an unforgettable speech that captivated the audience.

Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Mark Boensel (left) and NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson greet guest speaker retired Rear Adm. James Best.