Photo By Cmdr. Abdul Memon | (Right to left) Rear Adm. Bryan Cutchen awards the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation...... read more read more
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Cheyenne celebrated the U.S. Navy’s 238th birthday by holding a Navy Ball at the Little America Inn in Cheyenne, Wyo. Nov. 2. Nearly 300 guests representing all branches of the military and key government officials in Wyoming participated in the evening gala.
The list of dignitaries included Wyoming Sen. Wayne Johnson, Wyoming state representatives James Byrd and Sue Wilson, city of Cheyenne Mayor Richard Kaysen, Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner, adjutant general of Wyoming, and Rear Adm. Bryan Cutchen, commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, who was the chief guest.
The special guests were given military honors on red carpet by side boys, ringing of the bell and boatswain’s pipe, which is a long held Navy tradition that can be traced back to the 17th century British Royal Navy.
Cutchen welcomed the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard members present at the Navy’s birthday celebration.
“It is an honor to be here in Cheyenne and celebrate with you the Navy’s 238th birthday,” said Cutchen. “The Navy ensures freedom of navigation in the high seas and maintains a global presence, ready to respond to any crisis around the world, so you and I can sleep peacefully at night.”
He went on to explain the Navy’s connection to Cheyenne.
“Even though we are 1,100 miles from the nearest ocean, Cheyenne has a strong Navy league, Fleet Reserve Association, active duty and reserve sailors serving at NOSC Cheyenne and recruiters. They have a small foot print here, but they are connected to a larger commitment. The Navy Reserve has 4,00 sailors currently mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the past 12 years, we have mobilized 70,000 sailors from the Navy Reserve and some of the sailors are right here in the room.”
The evening started with a reenlisting ceremony, followed by giving awards to outstanding sailors from NOSC Cheyenne, tribute to POWs and MIAs and a special recognition to Construction Electrician 1st Class (SLW) Edward Egloff who was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his brave and heroic acts that resulted in the safe rescue of 22 civilians when his town was ravaged during the Colorado floods of 2013.
Egloff assumed the responsibilities of on scene commander during extreme circumstances and initiated the rescue efforts by creating and clearing a helicopter landing pad. He carried elderly residents to the extraction point and remained on scene until all rescue operations were complete. When all personnel were safely removed from harm’s way, only then did he take the last seat on the last helicopter and evacuated.
Cutchen explained that Egloff was in his Navy working uniform during the formal dress evening because he had lost all his possessions during the flood. The entire crowd stood up and gave him a rousing standing ovation.
“Due to my training in the Navy, instead of panicking, I organized all my neighbors and got them on high ground,” said Egloff.
Since they had lost cellphone capability, he painted on a rooftop calling attention to a passing helicopter for rescue of 22 people, some of whom needed urgent medical attention.
“Again, my Navy training as a Seabee helped me in clearing an area and making a safe landing spot for the rescue helicopter,” said Egloff.
In keeping with tradition, the Navy’s birthday cake was cut by the oldest and youngest sailors present. Ninety-year-old retired 1st Class Fireman Chuck Kline was bestowed the honor of cutting the cake with the youngest sailor present, Construction Electrician 3rd Class Nathaniel Barella.
After the cake cutting, the music was played non-stop and the attendees had a fun filled evening dancing the night away. Kline and his wife, Betty, of 68 years lead the first dance, “During World War II, they rationed everything … but they couldn’t ration love,” said Kline.
“What a wonderful evening we had in Cheyenne to celebrate the Navy's 238th birthday, what a great tradition to honor the Navy's past, its presence today in the world, and its future which is very bright,” said Kaysen, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. “I am glad to see the tribute the Navy paid to the MIAs and POWs and all military branches.”
"It is always a blessing having our brothers and sisters-in-arms from the other branches of services celebrating our Navy Birthday with us," said Lt. Cmdr. Chad “Coach” Tidwell, commanding officer of NOSC Cheyenne. "The teamwork between NOSC Cheyenne and the Fleet Reserve Association Wyoming Branch 59 is very evident at an event like the Navy Ball. We are all proud to be part of what is affectionately known as the "Frontier Navy" here in the "Cowboy State."
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2013 14:15 |
| Story ID: | 116381 |
| Location: | CHEYENNE, WY, US |
| Web Views: | 542 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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