Fleet Activities Chinhae welcomed more than 1,000 members of the Chinhae, Republic of Korea community to the base's 70th anniversary celebration Friday, Sept. 24.

The event, which included food; games; Morale, Welfare, and Recreation-sponsored family activities, and a fireworks display, commemorated the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's presence in Chinhae.

"Our relationship with the local community was close from the start, and remains so," said Terry P. McNamara, commander of Fleet Activities Chinhae. "On this 70th anniversary of the American presence in Chinhae, I look forward to many more years as strong allies, as close neighbors, and most importantly as good friends."

Chinhae Sailors regularly host members of the local community through many volunteer opportunities such as teaching English at local schools, hosting sports days, and working with both the Jinhae Hope Home orphanage and Aikwangwon Home and School for the Mentally and Physically Disabled.

"Being here we have opportunities to build on a relationship with the Chinhae community that was established 70 years ago," said Navy Counselor 1st Class Seth Annichiarico. "Seeing the great turnout for this event reminds us how important our mission is and that our presence is seen, welcomed, and appreciated."

"This base continues to play its part in our alliance's deterrence of North Korean aggression," said McNamara, addressing his Korean neighbors. "Our commitment to the alliance is as strong as ever. We are, and always will be your partners in peace."

The U.S. Navy presence in Chinhae began in 1946, not long after Korean Liberation. Fleet Activities Chinhae is the only U.S. Navy base on the mainland of Asia.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visit http://www.navy.mil/.