U.S. Fleet Forces Command
10/05/2024 | Press release | Archived content
HAMPTON ROADS 249TH NAVY BIRTHDAY BALL
Adm. Daryl Caudle
NORFOLK, Va.
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
05 October 2024What an incredible honor to welcome everyone to the magnificent Hilton Norfolk. What a wonderful venue and a gorgeous location for us to celebrate with each other on this special occasion!
· And most importantly - Happy 249th Birthday!!
· It's incredible to see the entire Hampton Roads community gathered here tonight. I know how challenging it can be to organize an event of this size and stature - so thank you again to the countless heroes, Sailors and civilians that made this celebration possible, but specifically I wanted to welcome and thank:
o Congresswoman Jen Kiggans for joining us tonight and for your continued support to our Hampton Roads area and our combined efforts to improve the Quality of Service of our Sailors!
o Thank you to our 33rd Chief of Naval Operations for joining us here tonight as we celebrate our Navy's birthday in the heart of the US Atlantic Fleet.
o A special thanks to the U.S. Fleet Forces Band for the incredible show they are about to put on, which if you didn't know, will be broadcasted live tonight around the world, so make sure you break out your best dance moves for camera!
o Also, thanks to everyone who provided overwhelming support for this event. Your support to the local Hampton Roads community is sincerely appreciated - making this Navy Birthday celebration truly a special occasion.
o And, of course, thank you to Maryellen Baldwin, Lou Schager, and the entire Hampton Roads Navy League team for putting all the pieces together to make this important event a reality.
o Maryellen and Lou, your team's commitment, dedication, and demonstrative devotion to the men and women of our sea services and their families are beyond measure.
o Your drive and tireless mission to enhance the morale of sea service personnel and their families reflects proudly in your support for our camaraderie tonight, as we reflect upon our brave history and to recommit ourselves to building upon our proud legacy of warfighting excellence.
o How about a round of applause for our special guests, our hosts, and all of our sponsors?
· For 249 years, through peace, war, and every challenge in between, your Navy has proudly stood the watch to defend our homeland, support our Allies and partners, deter against conflict, and - when called upon - unleash overwhelming firepower in combat.
· While our Fleets are equipped with some truly incredible technology, the true source of our Navy's strength are the expertly trained and unflinchingly resilient Sailors who breathe life into our platforms.
· You are the asymmetric advantage that China and Russia don't have - our Navy's special sauce.
· The eye-watering pride I have in our warfighting Sailors is why I am incredibly excited to share this evening with all of you as we celebrate our Navy's heritage.
· Even more so, we will celebrate and honor those who could not be with us - those brothers and sisters, friends, and shipmates who are out there on the high seas, right now:
o Staring down the Russians in the High North and the G-I-U-K gap;
o Bringing over 100,000 tons of diplomacy, sea power, and air dominance to the European and Middle East theaters with the Truman Strike Group;
o Prowling the South and East China Sea with P-R-C warships on their scope;
o Vigilantly patrolling in the Eastern Mediterranean, like the U-S-S WASP ARG and Marine Expeditionary Unit, making our adversaries think twice; and
o Demonstrating the sustained courage in combat zones - shooting down Houthi missiles and attack drones, defending both innocent merchant ships and our Allies - proving why we are the most lethal, feared, and respected force in the world - making it clearly understood that today is the absolute wrong day to test us!
· It is because of our Navy's unwavering dedication, that my wife Donna and I are truly humbled, grateful, and proud to be here with you in Hampton Roads to rightfully pay tribute to our community and its support for our warfighters.
· Taking into account how much fun I had at last year's Birthday Ball, I am confident that tonight will exceed our already-high expectations.
· So, let's make sure we enjoy ourselves tonight, do it safely, but also take advantage of the true camaraderie and spirit in this ballroom tonight.
· Donna and I are proud of each and every one of you - we can't thank you enough for inviting us to share in this wonderful occasion - and we sincerely hope that you all have an amazing time tonight.
· Now, it is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce my boss, my shipmate, and my friend - someone for whom I have the deepest respect and admiration, an
extraordinary leader, providing a steady hand with clear vision and strategic guidance for our Navy, most recently embodied in her new Navigation Plan 2024!
· Ladies and gentlemen - the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti!