USS Whidbey Island Celebrates Navy's Birthday

USS WHIDBEY ISLAND, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) celebrated the Navy's 236th birthday on the flight deck while underway, Oct. 14.

Due to operational commitments, the crew was unable to formally celebrate on the Navy's actual birthday, Oct. 13.

"Ships, bases and fleets come and go, but the Navy is a constant," said Cmdr. Eric L. Conzen, Whidbey Island commanding officer, during an address to the crew. "You are the Navy. You have earned our nation's gratitude and you have earned mine."

The planning and preparation of the celebration took more than a week and included crew members from every department.

"It takes the entire crew to complete a mission successfully, and I believe the celebration was a big success," said Ensign Jason Roberson, one of the celebration's coordinators. "Everyone came together and put a lot of work into the planning and preparations for the celebration, and it was well worth it to see the crew enjoying it."

The ceremony began with a recitation of the Sailor's Creed, followed by a prayer led by Lt. Cmdr. Robert Moore, command chaplain. Chief Quarter Master (SW) Michael Atchley, who emceed the event, invited Conzen to give the final words before concluding the event with the traditional Navy cake-cutting ceremony.

The Navy has a tradition of letting the oldest and youngest Sailor cut the cake together during the celebration to represent the coming together of the old and the new. This year, Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Roy Kramp and Boatswain's Mate Seaman Adam Spaulding performed the honors.

"I received a great sense of honor and pride just being able to be a part of such a long-standing tradition," said Spaulding, 19, the youngest Sailor aboard Whidbey Island.

The ceremony gave Sailors a chance to reflect on the rich legacy of 236 years of service and tradition and to consider their own reasons for choosing to serve.

Sailors cited a desire to serve their country, provide for their families, pursue personal and professional growth, continue their education, or see more of the world as their reasons for serving. Regardless of their primary reason for joining, many Sailors agree on one point.

"The Navy is an adventure," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Keevin Outlaw.

Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts is the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), visit www.navy.mil/local/lsd41/.