TF 51/5th MEB conducts cake cutting ceremony for Navy's 246 Birthday

Photo By Staff Sgt. Benjamin McDonald | NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY (Oct. 14) - Brig. Gen. Farrell Sullivan, the commanding general of Task Force 51/5th Marine expeditionary Brigade, speaks to Marines and Sailors during the TF 51/5th MEB 246th Navy Birthday ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain October 14, 2021. During the ceremony, the naval birthday message was read, the bell was rung nine times, and cake was passed from the oldest Sailor to the youngest Sailor.  

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN

10.14.2021

Story by Sgt. Benjamin McDonald 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Marines, Sailors, and family of Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade held a cake cutting ceremony in celebration of the Navy’s 246th birthday at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, October 14th. Unlike other units in the department of the Navy, the birthday of America’s sea service carries more weight for TF 51/5 as a truly naval integrated Navy-Marine Corps command.
During the ceremony, the naval birthday message was read, the bell was rung nine times, and a birthday cake was cut by Brig. Gen . Farrell Sullivan, the commanding general of Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. “Eight bells, used to signal the end of the watch, represents the end of the current birthday year” said Lt. Sipriano Marte to Sailors and Marines from TF 51/5. “The single bell, used to signal the start of a new watch, represents the start of a new year, our 246th birthday.” she continued.
During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, the Deputy Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, spoke as the special guest for the ceremony highlighting the importance of a truly naval integrated team. “We have had a Navy as long as we’ve had a Marine Corps,” said Bailey. “They’re meant to be together and work together. Naval integration is alive and well in our command and part of what we do every day. Our security is tied to the maritime environment. Our freedoms are not safe unless the seas are safe.””
After the cake cutting, Sullivan shared his own thoughts on the Marine Corps and Navy’s unique relationship at TF 51/5.“The last 20 years, we [the Marine Corps] have fought wars on land, but were born as part of the department of the Navy, and that’s where we belong . I’m proud of this organization and what we bring together as a team.”

• Date Taken: 10.14.2021
• Date Posted: 10.21.2021 05:57
• Story ID: 407669
• Location: NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN, BH