The U.S. Naval War College celebrated the 239th Navy Birthday, the 130th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Naval War College (NWC), and the 45th year of the NWC Foundation during a ceremony Oct. 6.
College faculty, staff, and students at the NWC got a head start on the official birthday of the Navy traditionally celebrated around the fleet Oct. 13.
The NWC event included a ceremony, lunch, music by the Navy Choristers and Navy Band Northeast, and a steel beach picnic including the traditional cake-cutting ceremony.
“Today we celebrate a trifecta that has affected all of us, some more and some less, but to a certain degree, all of us,” said retired Rear Adm. Joseph Strasser in his remarks during the formal portion of the ceremony.
Strasser served as president of the NWC from 1990 to 1995 and later was executive director of the NWC Foundation.
Strasser’s remarks included local history as he highlighted great naval figures with Rhode Island roots, including Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.
[mappress] Press Release, October 08, 2014; Image: US Navy