Theodore Roosevelt Sailors celebrate Navy’s Birthday

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Panaro | NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, Wash. (Oct. 13, 2022) – U.S. Navy Capt. Eric Anduze, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), speaks during a celebration for the U.S. Navy’s 247th birthday. Theodore Roosevelt is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Panaro)  

WA, UNITED STATES

10.13.2022

Courtesy Story

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)     

BREMERTON, Wash. – Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) held a celebration in honor of the U.S. Navy’s 247th birthday, Oct. 13.
The celebration consisted of remarks from the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Eric Anduze, and a cake cutting ceremony on the mess decks aboard the aircraft carrier’s assigned barge.
During his remarks, Anduze thanked the Theodore Roosevelt Sailors and their families for their service, especially during the ship’s current docked planned incremental availability, the extended maintenance period ongoing since August 2021.
“Today is a special day in our service,” said Anduze. “It is our birthday, and it represents the sacrifice of everybody who has worn this uniform before us.”
Anduze went on to reference the theme of this year’s Navy birthday: “On watch, 24/7, for 247 years.”
“On watch 24/7,” he said. “Resilient and ready. Everything we do every single day should strive toward that goal. Maintenance, preservation and training will make us ready to be on watch 24/7 when our turn comes. It might not seem that way right now, but this is a step in the cycle, and we will do our duties.”
The ceremony also included words from the master of ceremonies, Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Jackie Velasco.
“After the American war of independence, the constitution empowered the new congress to provide and maintain a navy,” said Velasco. “Acting on this authority, congress established the Department of the Navy on the 30th of April, 1798. In 1972, the chief of naval operations, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, authorized official recognition of 13 October as the birthday of the U.S. Navy.”
Since 1775, through 23 wars, the United States displayed its power and formidability through ships of varying caliber and size, material and crew, purpose and location. From 18th century wooden ships such as USS Constitution to 21st century ships such as USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the Navy continues to evolve.
The Navy has fought valiantly through great captains and crews who fought single-ship actions in 1812 and the commerce raiders of the Civil War, said Velasco while speaking about the history of the U.S. Navy. Through the convoys of World War I to the major fleet actions at Coral Sea and Midway and from the blockade of Cuba in October of 1962 to the riverine operations on the Tigress and the Euphrates, as well as future conflicts, we will continue this fight.
“From the TR’s and Rough Riders’ back-to-back WESTPAC deployments ensuring freedom of navigation across the 7th Fleet, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, promoting security abroad and at home during Northern Edge 2021, and as we finish our maintenance availability, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders are ready,” said Velasco.
For centuries, the U.S. Navy has been standing watch around the world. To celebrate that achievement, it is tradition for the youngest and oldest Sailors aboard to cut the cake. Seaman Raekayla Brady, from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, the ship’s youngest Sailor, and Lt. Cmdr. Lucas Martinezmendieta, the ship’s assistant maintenance officer and oldest Sailor, had the honor of cutting the Navy’s birthday cake surrounded by the ship’s crew.
The cake was in the shape of an aircraft carrier, covering more than seven feet in length, and two feet in width.
Theodore Roosevelt is undergoing a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.
For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn71/ . Join the conversation with TR online at www.facebook.com/USSTheodoreRoosevelt and at www.Twitter.com/TheRealCVN71.
-30-

• Date Taken: 10.13.2022
• Date Posted: 10.14.2022 19:32
• Story ID: 431395
• Location: WA, US