Photo By Douglas Stutz | Remembering those from before...Naval Hospital Bremerton chief petty officer take a...... read more read more
There were hundreds of accumulated years of experience – and then some – to match and mark the 125th birthday of United States Navy chief petty officers at Naval Hospital Bremerton on March 30, 2018.
“On April 1, our entire Naval Hospital Bremerton Chief Petty Officer mess will pause to celebrate 125 years of legacy, tradition and heritage. As well as honor our present and prepare for our future. We're not just recognizing another year of chiefs serving the Navy, we're acknowledging everything it means to be ‘the chief.’ The chief petty officer anchors are the symbol of a culture and a way of life. Since 1893, chiefs have been charged with the responsibility of ensuring our Sailors are the best in the world, ready to carry out our Navy's mission when our nation calls. And our nation calls often,” said Capt. Jeffrey Bitterman, NHB Commanding Officer.
Bitterman acknowledged that the DNA of a Navy chief is to welcome that responsibility and lead by example with pride, character, and loyalty, a strong commitment to leadership, core values, and the Navy ethos.
“Our Navy and our command is the best it has ever been and that is due to the large contributions - professionally, personally, even emotionally and spiritually - that our Navy chiefs provide up and down the chain of command. As your commanding officer, I truly appreciate your leadership and the hard work you do every day. Anchor up, and ‘hooyah Navy chiefs,’” exclaimed Bitterman.
“It’s an honor to be here and be part of this chief’s mess. I want to take a brief moment for three chiefs we lost recently, (retired Chief Hospital Corpsman) Hank ‘Doc” Rausch, (retired Chief Storekeeper) Gene Hanson and (retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate) Jerry Irvine,” added Reynolds said, calling for a moment of silence in their honor.
Irvine passed away on March 26, 2017, at age 82. He served his nation for 21 years, on nine different ships, with three tours in Vietnam, including River Section 523 in the Mekong River Delta, and River Section 521 near Hue City during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Hanson passed away on January 23 at age 92. His Navy career of 22 years spanned three decades with involvement in World War Two, the Korean War and Vietnam War. Rausch was 80, and served 30 years, initially joining the Navy in 1955. He was an aviation radioman, hospital corpsman and master-at-arms during his career and was known as ‘doc’ to his Marines in Vietnam.
“We have a lot of corporate knowledge that we try to impart on people. The five master chiefs assigned here alone have about 130 years of knowledge. A lot of our civilians here have served in uniform as chiefs. They also continue to serve us in their current capacity and are another reason why we continue to be the best Navy in the world,” Reynolds said.
Chief Hospital Corpsman (Fleet Marine Force) David Squires explained how in 1893, Navy General Order 409 of February 25, 1893, established the rate of chief petty officer.
“The legacy lives on 125 years later, with the 48 current staff members who wear the anchors on their uniform, with the approximately half a dozen who transitioned from the mess to officer ranks, and the approximately 30 retired staff members who have worn the anchors on the cloth of the nation, and with those who will advance to the rank of Navy Chief Petty Officer,” shared Squires.
After the chiefs lead the assembled command in singing ‘Anchors Aweigh,’ the traditional cake cutting portion of the ceremony was held for staff, patients and visitors.
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2018 21:33 |
| Story ID: | 271395 |
| Location: | BREMERTON , WA, US |
| Web Views: | 631 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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