Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, service members past and present, fellow Americans—thank you for being here with us tonight. Thank you, Tom, for that kind introduction. And thanks to the Intrepid Museum and its supporters for this fabulous evening. I am deeply grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve as the 79th Secretary of the Navy. It is a profound honor to stand before you aboard the USS Intrepid to mark 250 years of unbroken service from the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. That is not just a milestone. That is a testament to character, to courage, and to the enduring spirit of the American warrior. In the words of Admiral Zumwalt, “The Navy has changed a lot over two centuries—but its purpose has not: defend liberty, and deter those who would take it from us.”

For 250 years, through every generation, in peace and in war, American Sailors and Marines have stepped forward—willing to serve, ready to fight, and prepared to sacrifice. Tonight, we celebrate that legacy not only with words—but with your presence and with the servicemembers here with us tonight. And there is no more fitting place to do that than here, aboard USS Intrepid—a ship that embodies what it means to serve with valor. Commissioned in 1943, forged in the crucible of World War II, Intrepid earned her name many times over. She survived torpedo strikes. She took hits from kamikaze attacks. She lost men and honored them by never wavering in her mission. She went on to serve in Korea, in Vietnam, and even as a recovery ship during the space race. She is more than steel and rivets—Intrepid is a witness to history. And now, moored here in New York Harbor, she stands as a reminder of what it means to endure, to adapt, and to fight on—no matter the odds. This evening is not just a tribute to the past—it’s a tribute to the people who make this force what it is today. I am honored to accept the Intrepid Freedom Award on their behalf. Not on behalf of any office or institution. But for the young Marine standing duty tonight in the Pacific. For the Sailor maintaining readiness aboard a destroyer. For the submariner beneath the sea and the aviator above it. They don’t seek recognition—but they deserve it. This award belongs to them. Their legacy reaches back to the earliest days of our Nation.

In 1775, our founders didn’t wait for perfect conditions—they acted. They authorized the Continental Navy—we’ve come a long way from those two ships—and formed the Continental Marines a month later. It was a bold move for a young republic that had little in the way of power or money. But they understood something critical: that to secure liberty, we must fight for it. Not just with words—but with ships, with strength, and with people of courage. Even then, our founders understood that a Navy was not a luxury—it was a necessity. As our Constitution later made clear, while we may “raise and support Armies,” we are to “provide and maintain a Navy.” Sorry, Army. Since then, in every corner of the globe—from the shores of Tripoli to the Western Pacific, from Midway and Iwo Jima to Fallujah, the Red Sea and beyond—our naval forces have demonstrated again and again that American strength is not theoretical. It is real, it is credible, and it is unmatched. Just like this ship once was. Think about it: Intrepid launched aircraft that defended American troops in World War II. She pulled pilots out of the ocean during the space program. She fought in Vietnam. She stood guard during the Cold War. And now, she continues her mission—educating new generations about service and sacrifice. Our Sailors and Marines protect the homeland, keep trade routes open and secure every domain they operate in. As Doug Zembiec, the “Lion of Fallujah”—God rest his soul—once said, “It wasn’t about how many men and were brought to battle, but who they were.”

You should rest well tonight with who your Navy and Marine Corps. They fight for freedom. Not only for our own, but for the idea that liberty matters—and that when others try to take it, that they will answer. And while our ships and capabilities are unmatched, the true strength of the Navy and Marine Corps has always been the people who choose to serve. Life is about gratitude, humility and honor. Speak to veterans of war and they are all grateful to serve. And they all believe the true heroes are those who did not return from the war, or those whose actions saved their lives with little regard for their own. We see that belief reaffirmed every Fleet Week, when New Yorkers line the piers to shake the hands of those who serve. As Secretary of the Navy, I have the honor and privilege to meet many of our Sailors and Marines. And I will tell you this: there is no higher honor and humbling experience than to look into the eyes of a young person wearing the uniform and see the utmost courage and professionalism. They are not abstract symbols of service. They are the sons and daughters of truck drivers, teachers, welders and business owners. They are real people—young, talented, proud Americans—serving with quiet excellence, far from home, because they believe that our Nation, and the ideals it represents, is worth defending. That you are worth defending. And they are not alone. Behind every deployment, behind every training evolution, there is a family that serves too. To the spouses here tonight, to the moms and dads, to the children who learn the meaning of sacrifice early in life—thank you. You hold the line when your loved one is gone. You shoulder the stress without recognition. Your strength makes theirs possible—you are the unsung backbone of this force. The true strength of our military isn’t just in the weapons we possess, but in the courage, spirit and sacrifice of our people. It is in the families who support them. It is the steadfast resolve and selfless sacrifice of these young Americans—standing watch far from home, driven by devotion to something greater than themselves—that forms the very bulwark of our national security and secures our future. That future depends, as it always has, on a simple but enduring principle: peace through strength. Not strength for its own sake—but strength as a stabilizing force. Strength that deters aggression. Strength that reassures our allies. Strength that gives pause to those who would challenge our values and ideals.

As President Trump said, “We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end—and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.” As global threats evolve and maritime competition intensifies, that truth has never been more relevant. We will continue to build a Navy and Marine Corps that are lethal, agile and feared by our enemies. That’s the charge. That’s the legacy. And that’s what we owe to every American who has ever worn the cloth of this Nation. Fleet Week is a chance for Americans to connect with that legacy. So if you’re here in New York—walk the pier. Step aboard the ships. Talk to these young men and women. Ask them about their hometowns, their jobs, their reasons for serving. You’ll walk away with one truth firmly in mind: America is in good hands. Because these aren’t just Sailors and Marines. They are guardians of our future. And in them, you will see the same fire that carried the Intrepid across the Pacific, through combat, through crisis—and the same fire that has carried this force from 1775 to today. They didn’t ask for this honor. But they have earned it—every day, for 250 years. They serve because they believe in this country. They believe that freedom is not inherited—it is earned. And they believe it must be protected with strength, resolve, and faith in one another. So on their behalf, with immense pride and gratitude, I accept this award. May God bless the United States Navy and Marine Corps. May God bless their families. And may God bless the United States of America. Thank you.