Retirement Ceremony Honoring Members of the USNA Class of 1979 Celebrating 30 Years of Service in the Navy & Marine Corps

Friday, 19 June 2009

Mitscher Hall Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland

US Naval Academy Class of 1979 Retirement Ceremony

Arrival of the Official Party and Retirees

National Anthem

Invocation CDR Roger VanDerWerken CHC USN USNA Class of 1979

Welcome Rear Admiral Jeffrey Lemmons USN USNA Class of 1979

Class President Remarks LCDR Sean Cate USN (Ret) USNA Class of 1979

Presentation of Letters, Certificates and Flags

Retirement Remarks Rear Admiral Jeffrey Lemmons USN USNA Class of 1979

Letter from the Commander-in-Chief Reading of Retirement Orders

Benediction CDR Roger VanDerWerken CHC USN USNA Class of 1979

Piping Ashore of Retirees & Spouses Following the ceremony everyone is cordially invited to attend a reception for the retirees and their families. Rear Admiral Jeffrey Lemmons USN

Rear Adm. Lemmons, originally from Brownwood, Texas, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 and was designated a Naval Aviator in November of 1980. He spent his early sea duty years with Patrol Squadron (VP) 23 homeported in Brunswick, Maine, and forward deployed to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. He later reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC, as a Naval intern developing Joint service personnel policy.

Lemmons received a Reserve commission (RC) and reported to Naval Air Facility, Washington, DC, where he became the commanding officer of VP-68 in February 1996. His subsequent RC unit commands were in support of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); Naval Air Station (NAS) Keflavik, Iceland, and the Navy Command Center, supporting Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N3/N5. He also served as the deputy commander, Navy Reserve Region Southeast and was the OPNAV Deep Blue liaison to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Selected to Flag rank, he was assigned as the commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) and also served as the vice commander, Naval Air Forces at NAS North Island, .

Staff assignments have been as director for Fleet Readiness (OPNAV N43); associate director, Assessments Division (OPNAV N81D); Reserve assistant deputy Chief of Naval Operations for the Integration of Resources and Capabilities (OPNAV N8R); assistant deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operation, Plans and Strategy (OPNAV N3/N5B). He has been recently assigned to lead the newly formed U.S. Navy Directorate for International Engagement (OPNAV N52).

Lemmons is most proud to have served with shipmates who together earned four Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Coast Guard Unit Commendation and two Battle "E" Awards for excellence. He has completed the Naval War College and National Defense University Reserve Component studies curriculum and is a member of the Secretary of Defense Reserve Force Policy Board.

CDR Roger VanDerWerken CHC USN

Chaplain Roger VanDerWerken, CDR, USN, is an ordained minister with the American Baptist Churches, USA. He grew up on a farm in upstate New York, and graduated from Schoharie Central High School in 1974. From 1974-1975 he was a Rotary Exchange student to the Netherlands. In 1975, he applied and was accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with honors in 1979. From 1979-1981, he served as the Communication’s Officer on board the USS SAN JOSE (AFS 7), and from 1982-1984, as the Main Propulsion Assistant on the USS RAMSEY (FFG 2).

In October 1979, through reading the Bible, and as a result of several profound religious experiences, VanDerWerken became a follower of Jesus Christ. In 1984, he resigned his Navy commission in order to receive theological training at the Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1988. From 1989-1991, he served as the Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Glenside, PA, and from 1992-1998, as the Senior Pastor of the Memorial Baptist Church in Cortland, NY.

In October 1998, VanDerWerken reentered the Navy, serving as Chaplain for the First Combat Engineer Battalion, First Marine Division, until June 2001. This was followed up with a tour as the Protestant Chaplain of the Marine Memorial Chapel at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton (2001- 2004). From 2004-2005, he participated in the Navy’s Funded Graduate Education Program, receiving a Master of Theology degree in the ethics of warfare from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. Following his year of school he served as Principal Assistant to the Command Chaplain on board USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) from June 2005-June 2007. In July 2007, VanDerWerken reported for duty as the Command Chaplain at the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, CA. He is the author of two books: Code of Conduct for Servants of the Most High God, (Selah Publishing Group, 2002) and Captain’s on the Bridge: the Book of Revelation from a Military Perspective (Selah Publishing Group, 2007).

Chaplain VanDerWerken and his wife Jacque have been married for twenty-five years. They have three children, Christina (24), Beth (22), and Jordan (19).

LCDR Sean Cate USN (Ret)

LCDR Sean Cate was raised in Tulare, California and joined the United States Naval Academy Class of 1979 on Induction Day, July 7, 1975. Graduating with his class on May 30, 1979, Cate was initially assigned to the USS TUSCALOOSA (LST 1187) as Damage Control Assistant and Electrical Officer in San Diego. He achieved his Surface Warfare Officer qualification while he was still an Ensign and was designated as a Pacific Fleet Junior Officer Shiphandler of the Year for 1981.

LCDR Cate’s sea service also included tours of duty onboard USS JOHN YOUNG (DD 973) as the Navigator and Deck Department Head and USS DURHAM (LKA 114) as Operations Officer. He made Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployments aboard each ship and took part in numerous exercises with Japanese, South Korean, Philippine, and Australian allies. In addition, he participated in Special Operations off the Kamchatka Peninsula of the Soviet Union and patrols in the Persian Gulf.

Staff assignments during his career included duty as Operations Officer at COMPHIBRON SEVEN and as Surface Operations Officer, and briefly as Assistant Operations Officer, at COMSEVENTHFLT. While on the SEVENTH Fleet Staff, Cate participated in several World War II 50th Anniversary commemorative ceremonies, including the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Coral Sea held in Sydney and Townsville, Australia.

LCDR Cate served his first shore assignment as an Instructor at Fleet Training Group, San Diego where he participated in Refresher Training onboard virtually every class of Navy ship. He attended the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, graduating in 1991 with Joint Professional Military Education. Cate’s final assignment was as a member of the SECNAV Navy Discharge Review Board in Arlington, Virginia. LCDR Cate elected early retirement from the Navy in November 1995 after over 16 years of active service.

Since his Navy retirement, Cate has worked for several government contractors and is currently the Director of Quality Programs for Technatomy Corporation in Fairfax, Virginia. He is an active volunteer in the Naval Academy Alumni Association and has served as President, USNA Class of 1979 since election by his classmates in 1999.

LCDR Cate is married to the former Janet Ringgenberg of Tulare, California. They have two children: Ensign Stephen Cate, USN, a recent graduate of Marquette University and its NROTC program; and Emily Cate who is slated to enter the University of Texas (Austin) this Fall and serve as a Cadet in their Army ROTC program.

Captain Walter W. Ballard III USN Captain Jonathan Brazee USN Captain Dennis Richard Fox USN

Captain Dennis Richard Fox was born in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1979, he graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy with a BS in Management and Technology. In 1994 he earned a MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and in 2002 he completed studies at the Joint Forces Staff College. He is a Special Duty Intelligence officer, is designated a Joint Staff Officer, and is a member of the Navy Space Cadre.

Captain Fox was designated a Naval Aviator in 1981 and served as an A-7E pilot. From 1983-85, Captain Fox served in the Intelligence Center for USS RANGER (CV 61) then served as Soviet Analyst at Fleet Ocean Surveillance Information Center, Pacific until 1987. In 1987 he served as Administrative Assistant to the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. From 1988-91 Captain Fox served as Assistant Intelligence Officer in USS MIDWAY (CV 43) and USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) during the buildup of forces for Operation DESERT SHIELD.

Captain Fox headed the Collection Advisory Center for the Office of Naval Intelligence from 1991-93. From 1995-97, Captain Fox served as the U.S. Defense and Naval Attaché in the Republic of Albania. During that tour, he supported JTF SILVER WAKE and the Non-Combatant Evacuation of 880 people during the Albanian crisis in the spring of 1997. His two-person office in Albania was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation by the Secretary of Defense and the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation by the Director of Central Intelligence.

Captain Fox served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (N2) for Carrier Group 5 from 1997-99 supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and DESERT THUNDER on board USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). He then served as Deputy, then as Commander, of the Strategic Joint Intelligence Center at U.S. Strategic Command from 1999-2002. Captain Fox served in the Defense Intelligence Agency overseeing and coordinating national and theater collection efforts worldwide in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM including negotiating at the UN to coordinate prewar U-2 flights over .

In 2004, Captain Fox served as the Chief of Staff for the Iraq Survey Group in Baghdad, Iraq. Upon his return, he served as Exploitation Manager for the Overhead Non-imaging Infrared Integration Office, and then as the MASINT Missile Manager, in charge of all MASINT intelligence regarding foreign missile systems throughout the Intelligence Community till 2006. He then served at the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency as the Military Executive for the Office of Asia-Pacific. His final assignment was as the Chief of Staff for NGA’s Source Directorate where he coordinated collection and mapping efforts across national, commercial, and airborne sensors and ensured operations and staff efforts were optimized.

Captain Fox's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), various service and unit awards, and the Albanian Order of the Golden Eagle

Captain Fox is married to the former Wanda Priest of Raleigh, North Carolina. They reside in Alexandria, Virginia. Captain Michael D. Johnson USN

Captain Michael D. Johnson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. He then earned a Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia and has an MBA from the University of Maryland.

After completing nuclear and submarine training, Captain Johnson reported aboard the USS M. G. VALLEJO (SSBN 658) homeported in Charleston, SC. He served as Machinery Officer, Electrical and Interior Communications Officer, and as the Communications Officer while earning the Submariner designation and qualifying as Engineering Officer. During his tour the ship completed two strategic deterrent patrols and a refueling overhaul. Captain Johnson also served aboard the USS SANDLANCE (SSN 660) while she conducted a special mission above the Arctic Circle. Captain Johnson then served as a Senior Lecturer at the U.S. Naval Academy, instructing basic mechanical engineering courses.

As a Naval Reservist, Captain Johnson served with NR USS Suribachi in Poughkeepsie N.Y. and with the Superintendent of Shipbuilding, Brooklyn where he qualified as a Naval Reserve Engineering Duty Officer. He then served as Executive Officer of NR USS Cable and with NAVSEA Industrial Mobilization DET 106, both in Atlanta, GA. Captain Johnson was Commanding Officer of NR Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren and served in NR PMS (Program Management) Washington 1206 (supporting aircraft carriers), both in Washington, DC. This was followed by a tour as Commanding Officer of NR PMS Washington D.C, Detachment 106 (supporting amphibious vessel acquisitions) where he was awarded the Readiness Command Mid Atlantic Peer Leadership Award and the NR NAVSEA Admiral Israel Leadership Award. After serving in NR NAVSEA Command Center, Detachment 106, he assumed command of the unit. Captain Johnson is now a member of NR NAVSEA Region MidAtlantic, responsible for the qualification of NREDOs in the region. Captain Johnson also serves as the Naval Academy Information Officer (Blue & Gold Officer) for Detroit, Michigan high schools.

Captain Johnson’s decorations include the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal, the the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Sea Service Ribbon

In his civilian career, Captain Johnson is a Sales Director for Eaton Corporation in Southfield, Michigan, responsible for managing sales to Commercial and Aftermarket customers world wide. Captain Ronald Kim USN

Captain Ronald Kim is a native of Wahiawa, Hawaii, and a graduate of Leilehua High School. In 1979 he received his commission and Bachelors of Science degree in Management and Technology from the U. S. Naval Academy.

His initial tour was as the Electrical Officer aboard the USS Reeves (CG-21) and then later crossed-decked to the USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) in the same capacity where he qualified as EOOW. He subsequently assumed the duties as the Communications Officer and qualified as Surface Warfare Officer and Command Duty Officer. His following tour was with Commander, Fleet Training Group Pearl Harbor where he served as the Combat Mobile Team Trainer Division Officer.

Captain Kim affiliated with the Reserve Component in 1984 as the Training Officer of NR Naval Shipyard Pearl HQ 120 qualifying as Assistant Ship Superintendent and Type Desk Officer. In 1991, he became the Executive Officer of NR Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity Pearl COORD 120 and the following two years took over as its Commanding Officer. He followed this tour by taking command of the NR Personnel Mobilization Team 3620, where he help pioneer the Navy Mobilization Processing Site concept. He was then assigned as the Training Officer with US Commander in Chief Pacific Det 120 where he also stood as a JOC J3 watchstander during various contingencies and exercises. In 2001, he served as facilitator for the Officer Leadership Course and was concurrently assigned the duties as the REDCOM NW SWO Mentor Representative. Two years later he was assigned as the Executive Officer of US Harbor Defense Forces Western Pacific followed by his last tour as the Navy’s Emergency Preparedness Officer for the state of Hawaii.

Captain Kim’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with one Gold Star) and the Navy Achievement Medal (with one Gold Star) along with various other medals and service ribbons.

Captain Kim is civil service employee at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, where he serves as a Nuclear Engineer. He is married to the former Janet Ishida of Honolulu, Hawaii, and they have a daughter Ashlyn. The Kim’s reside in Waikele, Hawaii.

Captain Gary Labuda USN

Captain Scott Pursley USN

Captain Scott Pursley entered the Navy from northern California, graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1979 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He received his MBA from City University of Seattle in 1985 and has a diploma in Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (Mechanical Engineering) registered in Washington State.

Following commissioning, Captain Pursley served as Assistant Nuclear Ship Superintendent for the refueling/overhaul of USS SEAWOLF (SSN-575) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. After completing nuclear power training, he served as Main Propulsion Assistant in USS JAMES MONROE (SSBN-622) (Gold), making 5 strategic deterrent patrols and 5 overseas refits in Holy Loch, Scotland. During his tour, JAMES MONROE received three consecutive Battle Efficiency E’s and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. After qualifying in submarines and as a Naval Nuclear Engineer, Captain Pursley served as an instructor Trident Training Facility at Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Washington. Captain Pursley transferred to the Reserve Component in 1985.

Captain Pursley then entered the Engineering Duty community, serving as Project and Executive Officer of NR NAVSEADET 705 in Cincinnati, OH and NR NAVSEADET 519 in Long Beach, CA until 1995. During these tours he was the national coordinator for Naval Sea Systems Command’s Environmental Controls Reserve Support Program. Captain Pursley has commanded four navy reserve units: NR AD-42 Detachment 8 in Springfield, MO, NR NSWC PHD Detachment 510 in Houston, TX, NR Naval Research Lab S&T Detachment 510 Houston, TX, and NR SUPSHIP Detachment 110 New Orleans, LA. Captain Pursley’s last assignment was as the Navy’s Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the state of Arkansas. In this role he was activated for Department of Defense operations supporting FEMA’s recovery efforts during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and natural disasters in Arkansas.

Captain Pursley also serves as the Arkansas Area Coordinator for the US Naval Academy’s Information Program. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal. In his civilian career he has held leadership positions Sales and Marketing for Procter & Gamble, Sara Lee and Entergy. He is now a founding partner for Tradewind Group, a business strategy consulting firm with offices in Little Rock, Memphis, Birmingham, and Austin.

Captain Pursley is married to the former Elizabeth McGervey of Pleasant Hill, California. They have four daughters: Erin (USNA ’06), Anna (NROTC Notre Dame, ’08), Meg, and Claire (NROTC Notre Dame, ’13). The Pursleys live in Little Rock, Arkansas. Captain Ron Rahall USN

Captain Ronald G. Rahall, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy in May 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He started his Naval career in the Surface Warfare Nuclear Community and completed it, after thirty years, with the Engineering Duty Officer Community.

Following nuclear power school training, Captain Rahall’s sea duties included: Auxiliaries Officer, USS VIRGINIA (CGN 38); Chemistry/Radiological Controls Assistant, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68); Assistant to the Reactor Officer, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65); and Chief Engineer, USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69).

Captain Rahall’s shore duties included: Intern, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5); Navy Military Personnel Command, Service College Placement Officer; Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA; Assistant Project Officer for Aircraft Carrier New Construction, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Newport News, VA; Head, In-Service Aircraft Carriers, CNO staff, N885; Commanding Officer, Fleet Technical Support Center Atlantic, Norfolk, VA; Chief Engineer, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC), Norfolk, VA; Deputy Commander, MARMC; Executive Assistant to the Commander, Regional Maintenance Centers, Norfolk, VA; and Branch Head, Aircraft Carrier Programs and Policy, Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, VA.

Military decorations include: Legion of Merit (3); Meritorious Service Medal (3); Navy Commendation Medal (2); Joint Service Achievement Medal; and various service medals, campaign ribbons and unit awards.

Educational achievements include: Masters, Business Administration; Masters, Mechanical Engineering; and Professional Engineer, Mechanical Engineering.

Captain Rahall is married to the former Mary Etta McDaniel of Arlington, VA. They have two daughters, MIDN 3/C Bethany Rahall (Class of ’11) and Brianna.

Captain Fernando Ruiz USN

Captain Fernando Ruiz entered the Navy from Los Angeles, California. He is a 1979 graduate of the US Naval Academy. He holds a law degree from the Western New England College School of Law in Springfield, Massachusetts and a Masters in Business Administration from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts, Ohio and Indiana.

Captain Ruiz is a Naval Surface Warfare Officer. He served in active duty aboard guided missile USS RAMSEY (FFG-2) as Main Propulsion Assistant and Anti-submarine Warfare Officer and aboard replenishment oiler USS ROANOKE (AOR-7) as Assistant Operations Officer.

Captain Ruiz transferred to the Reserve Component in 1985 and has since been Officer-in-Charge or Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve shipboard augmentation units for USS CONOLLY (DD-979), destroyer tender USS PUGET SOUND (AD-38), and frigate USS VREELAND (FF- 1068).

Captain Ruiz was also assigned as Operations Officer and Executive Officer of a Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (“SACLANT”) augmentation unit in support of SACLANT’s Representative staff in NATO headquarters where he was Battle Watch Captain in the SACLANTREPEUR Situation Center. He served as Officer-in-Charge of an augmentation unit for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana and for an Advance Base Headquarters Staff and Admin Unit. He has been a Staff Officer in a Commodore Staff Unit.

Captain Ruiz commanded NR US Pacific Command Detachment 216 and served in the Operations Directorate of US Pacific Command (“USPACOM”). Ten members of his unit were mobilized and served in various staff positions in USPACOM headquarters in the three years following September 11, 2001.

Captain Ruiz’s final assignment was as the Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (“NEPLO”) for the State of Indiana where he represented the Navy in liaison with military and civilian agencies in the planning, coordination, and execution of Defense Support of Civilian Authorities pursuant to the National Response Plan, particularly in support of the State of Indiana. Captain Mike Van Horn USN

Captain Mike Van Horn entered the U.S. Navy from northern Virginia, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979. He received an MA (Foreign Affairs) from the University of Virginia and a MS (Strategic Intelligence) from the National Defense Intelligence College. Captain Van Horn also graduated from the Naval Command and Staff College, the USAF Air War College and the Joint Forces Staff College. In January 2009, the Secretary of Defense designated Mike as a Joint Specialty Officer.

As a surface warfare officer, CAPT Van Horn served as a division officer onboard USS IMPLICIT (MSO 455) and as the Engineering Department Head on USS PLUCK (MSO 464). Mike also served as Navigator onboard USS HEPBURN (FF 1055). While assigned to HEPBURN, Mike deployed to the Far East where he participated in Freedom of Navigation operations off the Soviet Pacific coast as well as the rescue at sea of 41 Vietnamese refugees in the South China Sea.

Leaving active duty in 1986, Mike entered the reserve Special Duty (Intelligence) community, specializing in: anti-submarine warfare intelligence; scientific and technical intelligence and operational intelligence analysis. Captain Van Horn’s reserve service included assignments with: Naval Technical Intelligence Center; Commander Naval Forces ; Atlantic Intelligence Command and the Reserve Patrol Wing, Atlantic.

CAPT Van Horn served on active duty from October 1997 through July 2000; his assignments included: the Navy Staff (CNO N20) and the Joint Chiefs of Staff J2 (Directorate for Intelligence). At the J2, CAPT Van Horn served as Commander, J2 Balkans Intelligence Task Force responsible for providing crisis support intelligence to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Secretary of Defense. Mike’s last assignment was six years as J2 Deputy Director for Intelligence (DDI), supporting the National Military Command Center.

In civilian life Mike is an Intelligence Officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); in this capacity he was on duty at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. From November 2003-May 2004, CAPT Van Horn deployed to Iraq as an intelligence analyst in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Military decorations include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2); the Joint Service Commendation Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (6) and the Joint Staff Identification Badge. Civilian awards include: the CJCS Civilian Meritorious Service Medal; the Joint Civilian Achievement Medal; the DIA Civilian Combat Support Award; the DIA Civilian Expeditionary Medal and the DCI National Intelligence Unit Citation.

Captain Van Horn is married to the former Lori L. Morgan, MD of Middletown, Ohio. They have two children: Alex (16) and Lily (12). The Van Horns live in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Members of the USNA Class of 1979 with 30 Years Service

Members of the USNA Class of 1979 with more than 30 Years Service

Navy Blue and Gold

Now colleges from sea to sea May sing of colors true, But who has better right than we To hoist a symbol hue? For sailors brave in battle fair Since fighting days of old, Have proved a sailor's right to wear The Navy Blue and Gold. So hoist our colors, hoist them high, And vow allegiance true, So long as sunset gilds the sky Above the ocean blue, Unlowered shall those colors be Whatever fate they meet, So glorious in victory, Triumphant in defeat. Four years together by the Bay Where Severn joins the tide, Then by the Service called away, We've scattered far and wide; But still when two or three shall meet, And old tales be retold, From low to highest in the Fleet Will pledge the Blue and Gold.

“Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, 'I served in the .’” President John F Kennedy 1 August 1963 US Naval Academy Annapolis, MD

“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference...... the Marines don't have that problem.”

President Ronald Reagan, 1985