By Seaman Ash Severe
Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek hosted the 233rd Navy and Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Miller Hall, Oct. 18, 2008, as a part of Norfolk Fleet Week 2008.
The event began at 7 p.m. with the arrival of the official party, The Honorable James H. Webb, U.S. senator, State of Virginia; Capt. William W. Crow, commanding officer, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, and Col. Rayburn Griffith, Director of Training, Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic.
"I've been around the military all of my life. I grew up in it, served in it, covered it as a journalist and any time I can be around the military, especially an event like this, it's a great feeling," said Webb.
The event was a showcase of Navy and Marine Corps pride from the arrival of the official party to the Navy and Marine Corps Birthday message.
"We're a maritime nation," said Webb, "we connect to the rest of the world through our sea lanes. So when you look at the contributions the Navy and Marine Corps have made the last 200 years, they have been very steady in helping to make us a great nation."
On Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution urging the individual colonies to build and equip fleets, thus creating the Continental fleet. Since then the Navy has marked, Oct 13, 1775 as its official birthday.
On Nov. 10, 1775 the Continental Congress formed the Continental Marines to help the Continental Navy conduct ship-to-ship fighting, shipboard security and assist in landing forces. Since then the Marine Corps has marked, Nov. 10, 1775 as its official birthday.