"And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worth while, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy. '"
-- John F. Kennedy, 1963
A lot of Navy Birthdays have passed since President Kennedy delivered these remarks at the Naval Academy. It's a new century and, in many ways, a new Navy.
The uniforms are different. The weaponry is of a nature that 20th-century sailors could only dream of. The Navy has enjoyed great successes and faced severe challenges. But the Navy's core values of service and sacrifice will remain in place as long as patriotic men and women heed our nation's call.
On behalf of the Navy Musicians Association, I wish a happy birthday to the entire Navy family: to those who dedicated a few years of their lives in service to our nation, to the retirees who served honorably for a full career, and, in particular, to those who still proudly wear the uniform of the United States Navy.
Any man or woman who has served in our Navy--in this century or the last--can, indeed, take satisfaction in saying, "Yes, I served my country."
Frank Mullen III, Website Manager, Navy Musicians Association
