I have to admit a little prejudice when thinking about writing this article.  As a retired Navy guy, I can’t help but write about Navy events occurring in October, two days that celebrate the United States Navy; the branch that has carried America’s maritime spirit around the globe for 250 years. 

The Navy’s official birthday, Oct. 13, dates back to 1775. The Navy’s history is a little disjointed. It traces its beginnings to Oct. 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized two small armed vessels to disrupt British supply lines which then became the birth of the Continental Navy. That fleet grew to 51 ships and fought bravely throughout the Revolutionary War, but most destroyed and was disbanded in 1785 when Congress sold off its last remaining ship, the Alliance. The young nation soon realized the need for a permanent naval force to protect American commerce and interests at sea, leading to the reestablishment of the U.S. Navy in 1794, when Congress authorized six frigates - including the famed USS Constitution - marking the true foundation of the modern Navy. In 1972, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt officially recognized Oct. 13 as the Navy’s “official birthday,” connecting today’s sailors directly to the service’s Revolutionary War roots. 

But for much of the 20th century, Americans marked another date: Oct. 27, Navy Day. Established in 1922 by the Navy League of the United States, Navy Day was set to coincide with the birthday of President Theodore Roosevelt, one of the Navy’s most vocal champions and a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Roosevelt believed in a strong fleet, a modern Navy, and the importance of showing the flag in every ocean. 

From the 1920s through World War II, Navy Day was a major national celebration. In 1945, President Harry Truman even reviewed the fleet in New York Harbor on Navy Day, welcoming home sailors from the war. While Navy Day has faded from official calendars, many communities — especially along the Maine coast — still take time in late October to remember and thank their Navy veterans. 

Whether you celebrated Navy’s birthday on Oct. 13 or will think about our Nation’s Navy on Oct. 27, both dates remind us of the same truth: our nation’s strength has always been tied to the sea and to the men and women who have served upon it. 

Next month we celebrate the USMC birthday on Nov. 10 and Space Force on Dec. 20. Of course, we already celebrated the Army’s birthday on June 14, the USCG on Aug. 4, and the USAF on Sept. 18.   

One last thought about remembering our service members. As of this writing, our DOD military forces will continue to get paid during the government shut down. But, the USCG will not. Post 36 is raising money to support our local Coasties. You can help buy sending your financial support to Post 36 with USCG written in the memo line.