Photo By Sgt. Kenneth Tucceri | Spc. Gina Bertelli and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Cameron attended Naval...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - “This is the first Navy Ball I’ve attended that has such a joint flavor. We’ve got somebody from every service here. We’ve got DOD civilians and our family and friends, so this is an absolutely special night, and I look forward to celebrating it with everybody,” said Navy Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s commander and the guest speaker at Saturday’s Navy Ball commemorating the Navy’s 239th birthday held in Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s Windjammer Ballroom.
The event had GTMO residents dressed in their various uniforms to include special ceremonial outfits. The impeccable whites of the Sailors' uniforms showed bright while intermixed with Army, Marine, Air Force and Coast Guardsmen of the joint service setting here.
To add to the well-dressed service members and civilians were finely set, long rows of tables with ship centerpieces along with flags creating a colorful perimeter of the tastefully lit room.
Included with the fine visual setup was a ceremonial beginning to the ball which featured a color detail by U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay’s Color Guard, the singing of the national anthem, a remembrance detail commemorating prisoners of war and those missing in action, and speeches by NAVSTA’s command master chief, Navy Master Chief Jeffery Tidwell; NAVSTA’s deputy chaplain, Navy Lt. Baron Miller; NAVSTA’s commander, Navy Capt. John Nettleton; and Cozad.
“In 1775, it was cannons and cutlasses,” said Tidwell in regards to the humble beginnings of our Navy. “Today, our ships, aircrafts and submarines and their assorted weaponry make us the most feared and powerful Navy to ever sail the world’s oceans.”
During Nettleton’s speech addressed to the packed ballroom, he stressed that the night was about enjoying the event, as that is what our fallen brothers and sisters would like. He also expressed his sentiments of being NAVSTA’s commander.
“I’m pretty proud to be commander of a naval station that supports such a wide and varied and professional group of tenants.”
When introducing Cozad as the guest speaker, he transitioned the two leader’s speeches with a compliment to JTF GTMO’s commander.
“This is a really vital job, but probably the most vital possible to fill down here is the JTF commander,” said Nettleton. “I’ve been blessed since I’ve been down here with three wonderful JTF commanders.”
In his speech, Cozad referenced some of the Navy’s greatest leaders, such as Navy Adm. George Dewey, a Spanish-American War hero, Adm. William “Bull” Halsey, commander of the South Pacific fleet during WWII, and Commodore Stephen Decatur, who became known as “the conqueror of the Barbary pirates.”
The Barbary Wars was the naval conflict commemorated during the ball. It was during this conflict the "Marines' Hymn" got the phrase, “to the shores of Tripoli.”
He also named some other, lesser-known heroes. One especially well-received anecdote was the story of Calvin Grahams.
“When this young man’s battleship came over fire by Japanese during WWII, young Petty Officer Calvin Grahams suffered significant burns to his body and had his front teeth knocked out by flying shrapnel from enemy anti-aircraft guns,” said Cozad. “Despite his injuries, he pressed on to rescue numerous and countless fellow crew members. It’s interesting to note that due to a fraudulent enlistment, Petty Officer Graham was only 12 years old at the time.
“There are numerous other faceless heroes in the history of our Navy and our naval service,” added Cozad.
After the speeches, dinner was served. This was followed by a raffle, which saw prizes ranging from GoPro cameras, a Bose speaker, a large flat-screen TV, gift cards for the NEX and, the grand prize, a $2,500 travel voucher.
The night continued with dancing, laughing and high-spirited merriment, just as those who served before and those yet to serve would hope for it to be.
“You can all be proud of the profession you chose,” remarked Cozad. “Regardless of the color of your uniform ... I couldn’t be more proud to stand up wearing this uniform in your presence tonight and having the privilege to serve alongside each and every one of you.”
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2014 13:38 |
| Story ID: | 145232 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY , CU |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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