Service members from Navy Information Operations Command Colorado (NIOC CO) donned their formal best to celebrate the Navy's 241st birthday during a ball held at the Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club Oct. 13.

The evening featured guest speaker retired Capt. Charlie Plumb, who spoke about his experience as a prisoner of war (POW) for six years during Vietnam. As a Naval Academy graduate and "Top Gun" school founder, he flew 74 successful F-4 Phantom combat missions before being shot down only five days before he was to return home.

"Several years ago I found myself a long way from home in a small prison cell." Plumb said. "As a prisoner of war, I was tortured, humiliated, starved, and left to languish in squalor for six years."

Detailing the challenges faced as a POW, Plumb explained the personal tools he used to survive imprisonment.

"I found I already had a foundation of survival tools learned in life from my parents, preachers, youth leaders, and teachers."

Plumb went on to say, "The life-saving techniques I used in that prison camp had more to do with my value system, integrity, and religious faith than anything I had learned from a textbook."

Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Hall, executive officer, NIOC CO and master of ceremonies for the Navy Ball, spoke about the night's theme of America's Sailor.

"At the heart of our success is the American Sailor, serving afloat and ashore to the far reaches of the globe protecting our country," Hall said. "The perseverance and fighting spirit of our Sailors has always enabled us to prevail in the most direct circumstances and against the most daunting odds."

Following his speech, service members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces along with members from foreign militaries danced and enjoyed the festivities long into the evening.

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For more news from Navy Information Operations Command Colorado, visit www.navy.mil/.