Good morning, everyone.

Vice President Vance, Acting Secretary of the Navy Cao, distinguished Foreign Heads of Navy, senior leaders, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, honored guests, and friends – it is my pleasure to say welcome aboard USS Kearsarge.

Vice President Vance, thank you for being here with us today. Your presence means a great deal to our Navy and Marine Corps team and every nation represented here. There’s no better place to celebrate the enduring value of freedom than aboard a United States warship, surrounded by the ships and Sailors of nations committed to preserving peace and security at sea.

Acting Secretary Cao, thank you for serving as today’s reviewing official, and for bringing together this extraordinary gathering of ships, crews, and maritime leaders to honor 250 years of American independence.

I also want to thank Captain Goscinski and the crew of Kearsarge.

Great warships don’t simply arrive ready. They are made ready through disciplined crews, careful planning, and countless hours of hard work.

Today's ceremony is a reflection of that professionalism, and of the pride our Sailors and Marines take in representing our Nation.

So, to the Kearsarge team: Bravo Zulu!

I also want to thank every unit involved in making this event possible.

Your professionalism helped make this celebration worthy of the moment.

We gather aboard an American warship to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, our Nation declared that liberty was worth defending.

From the very beginning, that defense depended upon command of the sea. Our first Navy was created not simply to fight battles, but to protect our commerce, strengthen our alliances, and secure the freedom upon which our young republic depended.

That story continues today.

The International Naval Review is more than a ceremony. It’s a display of maritime strength, shared purpose, and international friendship.

It demonstrates that like-minded maritime nations continue to sail together in defense of our shared interests and shared values.

We train together. We operate together. And, if called upon, we are prepared to fight together. Our interoperability is built through years of shared operations, mutual trust, and professional respect.

To every participating nation: thank you.

Looking across the waterfront today, we see far more than a collection of ships. We see generations of maritime tradition, enduring partnerships, and the collective resolve of nations committed to preserving peace through strength.

Your ships, your crews, and your presence remind us that maritime security is shared security.

No nation can protect the sea alone.

Together – through trust, interoperability, and shared resolve – we preserve the freedom of the seas, deter aggression, and help ensure stability for generations to come.

It is now my honor and distinct privilege to introduce a leader whose own life and service reflects the values we celebrate today – duty, courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to our Nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Hung Cao.