Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) celebrated the Navy’s 236th birthday with Sailors stationed at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Oct. 14-15.
“It’s a pleasure for me to be here with the Corpus Christi Sailors celebrating our Navy’s birthday,” said MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West .
Nearly 300 Sailors and family members attended the event.
“Taking time to look back on our proud history is important because it shows us where our Navy came from and all of the great things that we have accomplished as a Navy team, and provides perspective to where we are going,” said West.
“I feel honored that he would come to Corpus Christi,” said Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Darak Tate . “I’m sure he had numerous locations to choose from and I’m thankful he chose us.”
The day before the birthday ball West toured the base and engaged with Sailors.
“These Sailors have a tremendous responsibility here and they are executing their mission with pride and professionalism,” said West. “Our aviation field is nothing short of the best because of Sailors like these.”
“MCPON’s focus is Sailors first and I’m glad to see that in our most senior enlisted Sailor, ” said Tate.
“The biggest thing I took away is he came across as a real person,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (FMF/SCW) Trevor Wolfe . “I felt like he wanted us to be the best we could be whether it was in or out of the Navy.”
“ This was a great visit for me because I was able to meet and talk to Sailors on a professional level and have fun celebrating our Navy’s birthday with them,” said West.
[mappress] Source: navy, October 19, 2011