MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Oct. 13, 2014 marked the United States Navy’s 239th birthday. After dozens of engagements in that time, the United States Navy continues to sail the seven seas.
Sailors, Marines and eligible civilians dined at Anderson Hall Dining Facility Oct. 10 to celebrate the Navy’s birthday. Patrons feasted on chicken, lobster, steak and vibrant blue and gold cakes, which were baked into the shape of a ship to honor the birthday.
The mastermind behind the cake, Staff Sgt. Joseph Lamanna, mess chief for Anderson Hall said he worked hard preparing the cake for the occasion.
“I’m a baker by trade, so I tried to do a good job to represent the Navy,” said Lamanna. “They’re our big brothers and they take care of us, so I want to make sure we take of them for their birthday.”
The option to find a new profession becomes attainable after enlisting in the armed services. Many sailors, such as Chief Petty Officer Terence Monton, turn to the Navy for new opportunities, guidance and the chance to travel.
“The Navy changed me,” said Monton, a San Diego native. “I didn’t know what I was going to do when I graduated high school and I didn’t have a plan. I was lazy and enlisting changed me and gave me a lot of new skills. The Navy also taught me how to be a leader and it also gives me a lot. It helps me take care of my family."
Joining the military gave Monton the opportunity to work closely with the other branches, which gave him a unique perspective of the armed services. “I like the team I’m a part of, especially being stationed with the Marines,” said Monton. I get to see what the Navy and the Marine Corps team really do when we’re deployed."
As a hospital corpsman by trade, Monton’s duties in Afghanistan were unrelated to the medical field.
“When I deployed to Afghanistan from 2013 to 2014, I was at the roll 3 medical unit,” said Monton. “I did something that was out of my job scope — I had to provide security for a hospital. I was a hospital corpsman but I was in charge of security. I was also in charge of the dignified transfer detail."
He says he is proud to be part of an organization that shaped history, and is happy to experience the birthday celebration with other Marines and sailors. “The birthday is celebrating a long heritage — 239 years. There is so much the Navy has done in the past, some good and some bad, but we learn from the past. Typically we improve the future from our mistakes.”