Turning 20 marks leaving the teenage years behind and taking a first step into adulthood. In some cultures turning 20 is a big deal; in Japan, they have "Coming of Age" festivals, marking individuals becoming official adults in their society.

Twenty years ago, on September 20, 1997, the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), was commissioned. Linda Sloan Mundy, the wife of former Marine Corps Commandant General Carl E. Mundy Jr., sponsored the ship and christened the new ship "in the name of the United States and in honor of the heroic defenders of Bataan" in Pascagoula, Miss.

Now twenty years later, the crew celebrates this milestone with a birthday celebration.

The day [on Wednesday] started with a reading of the history of the ship's namesake and about the Bataan's predecessor, CVL 29, over the ship's 1MC [the ship's internal communication system]. The announcements continued throughout the day, with the ship's current history and accomplishments and the meaning of the Bataan Seal.

To complete the celebration, the crew was invited to the mess decks for the official birthday ceremony.

"USS Bataan memorializes the valiant resistance of American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula in the dawning days of World War II," remarked Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Reynaldo Eugenio during the opening statement for the 20th birthday celebration.

The ceremony included live music performances by several service members and a special video to honor the ship's birthday.

"It truly is an honor for me to be here and celebrate the 20th birthday of the Bataan," stated Lt. Cmdr. Edward Cavanaugh, of Fleet Surgical Team 6, and Bataan plank owner. "It's hard for me to believe that by the time I leave here I will have nearly 7 years invested in this ship, a full quarter of my career."
Cavanaugh continued to state that things have not changed much from his first days aboard the ship and encouraged everyone to take pride and have ownership over Bataan.

"This ship is in the prime of her life. She's worked hard over the past 20 years, through 9 deployments, most of which were during a time of war, including one that was ten and half months long, the longest deployment for a ship in the Navy since 1973," concluded Cavanaugh. "I challenge you to take action. Take care of 'Our' ship, make 'Our' ship better for those that come after us and have a positive attitude in all that you do."

The ceremony concluded with a birthday cake cutting and some music while the crew members mingled and celebrated.

Bataan and its amphibious ready group are transiting home after completing a scheduled deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet Area of Operations.

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