IUSSCAA Message Board


UNCLASSIFIED, NON-POLITICAL, and  NON-SENSITIVE POSTS ONLY
IUSSCAA Posting Guidelines


IUSSCAA Wallpapers
Ocean Night 1280x1024 1024X768 800X600
Mid-Watch   1280x1024 1024X768 800X600



IUSSCAA Message Board
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
Navy Day 2017

I've been told by friends on Facebook that today is Navy Day...I would like to acknowledge all the Sailors I served with during my 24 year career.

It was a privilege and a pleasure serving with you all...It was truly a Navy Adventure.

Navy Day - new one . . .

Sorry Thom, your friend may have made a small mistake:

October 27 was suggested by the Navy League to recognize Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. Roosevelt had been an Assistant Secretary of the Navy and supported a strong Navy as well as the idea of Navy Day. In addition, October 27 was the anniversary of a 1775 report issued by a special committee of the Continental Congress favoring the purchase of merchant ships as the foundation of an American Navy.

Navy Day was last observed on Oct. 27, 1949.

Re: Navy Day - new one . . .

Ok...maybe I've been a little misled about the Navy day thing from a public media source....but...

The acknowledgement of those I served with for 24 years still PROUDLY STANDS ! ! !

Re: Navy Day - new one . . .

o.k. - I'll add my two cents.

First of all, thanks for your post Thom. I am another retired Navy guy with 23 years active duty who would like to chime in and acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all those that I proudly served with. My entire career was truly a humbling, adventurous and great learning experience.

As for "Navy Day": Technically, Gail is correct with October 27th as being Navy Day (at the time that date was established)as she pointed out in her post.

However, further research later determined(early 1970's)that the Continental Congress authorized outfitting of two armed vessels on October 13th, 1775. Those ships were built in Skeenesboro, NY (now Whitehall NY)which is considered, by most, to be the birthplace of the U.S. Navy. Further, in 1972 CNO Admiral Elmo Zumwalt designated October 13th as the Navy's official birthday.

All the years I was on active duty, Navy birthday balls were ALWAYS celebrated on October 13th, even as far back as 1962 when I escorted my beautiful wife(then my fiance, Linda Zumwalt of North Bend, OR) to the Navy Ball in Coos Bay. Linda has been my loving wife for over 54 years and spent 19 of those years in support of my Navy Career, our family, Navy Wives Clubs, Girl Scouts of America and numerous Navy events. My hometown of Warrensburg, NY being quite close to Whitehall, I chose that location/venue for my Navy retirement in July of 1981.

P.S. Anyone who may get the magazine Reminisce Extra and may be interested: the January issue has a two page story/photo of Linda and I as we embarked on our cross-country trip in our 1954 Chevy, from North Bend, OR to Warrensburg, NY shortly after we were married in Jan of 1963.

Best to all - and, hopefully, we will all be around to celebrate the Navy's 242nd birthday on October 13, 2017. (Google it !!)

Irv (Dee) DeMatties

Re: Navy Day - new one . . .

Well said Dee and absolutely correct. And Thom, I've always been told its the thought that counts and your thought was a good one.

Re: Navy Day - Navy Ball . . .

I was stationed at NavFac Coos Head 1970, just curious as to know where in Coos Bay they held the Navy Ball back then.... The Tioga Hotel?

Re: Navy Day - Navy Ball . . .

Nick,

It was a very nice motel and restaurant complex called the "Courtel". It was the nicest place in Coos. It is now the Red Lion Inn (probably still the best in town) on the north end of town,before entering the south side of North Bend.
It was owned by a Scottsman (can't recall his name) who owned that, the Egyptian Theater in downtown Coos Bay and the drive-in theater out in Empire.

At the time, I was a 2nd class (watch sup)on my last tour of a 4-year hitch. I also worked, part time at that motel as a night auditor and at the Egyptian, making/selling popcorn, sodas and candy. The "town cop" (O'Riley) came in every night to make sure there was no trouble or "hanky panky" going on - and got his free box of popcorn - to go. Ahhhhhhhh...........those were the Happy Days !

Re: Navy Day - Navy Ball . . .

Irv,

Thanks for the reply. I do remember the Red Lion Inn, not sure if that's what it was called in 1970, but I do remember it was just before the highway divided into one way streets. I mentioned the Tioga Hotel, because that was the hot spot for adult beverage consumption. There was a bar on the mezzanine floor called the "Pirates Den". We frequented the Egyptian Theater a few times, but remembered that you had to put your feet up on the seat in front of you because of the rats in search of popcorn. Coos was my first Navfac and by far my favorite. Yes sir, happy days. Someday, hope to revisit.
Good to here from someone that had been there.

Visits: