Looking Back: Friday Musicale Remembers Enlisted Men’s Dances

ANNIVERSARIES, MILESTONES AND REMEMBRANCES ON THE LIBERTY COASTSM

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

On August 29th, the Marine Corps Reserve (MARFORRES) celebrates the 105th anniversary of their augmenting Marine forces for war, national and contingency operations.

As the TOYS FOR TOTS coordinator, MARFORRES’s 4th Assault

Amphibian Battalion—Bravo

Company - located with their resident alligator named “Sign” next door to the Jacksonville Zoo - collected and delivered over 15,000 toys as Christmas presents in 2020.

Marine Corps Support Facility

Blount Island is a very specialized port facility and logistics hub that serves as the Marines global equipment locker, repair shop, service garage, armory and food pantry; supplying deployed Marines with all the equipment and vehicles they need to do what Marines do, anywhere in the world, when Uncle Sam dials 9-1-1. On September 3rd, the Marines of the “BIC” will celebrate the anniversary of their commissioning the way you’d expect Marines to celebrate- with PT (Physical Training)- OOH-RAH! National Service Dog Month raises awareness and shows appreciation for the extraordinary work service dogs do every day for the human companions in their care. Double dare you not to be touched by this video:

YouTube.Com/Watch?v=Nwdpaao71dI.

In September, let’s toast the 79th birthday of the Fighting Tigers of Maritime Patrol Squadron Eight (VP 8). Deploying from NAS Jax, they fly their P-8A Poseidons - think Boeing 737 without drink service but with torpedoes - across the globe searching for enemy submarines and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

An USMC Amphibious Assault Vehicle, An USMC Amphibious Assault Vehicle, Photo Credit: U.S. Navy Photo Credit: U.S. Navy

The crew of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Delbert Black (DDG 119) celebrate their ship’s first birthday on Sept 26th. The U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard celebrate birthday parties on FANG Drive at the Jacksonville Air National Guard Base.

Sept 2nd is WWII’s Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day) marking the Japanese formal surrender aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Uncle Sam Day is the 13th and Sept 14th is Ombudsman Appreciation Day; established to appreciate those who support Navy families and enable Sailors and commands to focus on mission requirements. September days of reflection and remembrance include the 20th anniversary of the horrific events on September 11, 2001 identified as Patriot Day and the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept 17th prompts Americans to remember and make sure we account for those who have never returned. One of Liberty Life’s favorite days is also Sept 17th - Citizenship and Constitution Day, honoring the foundation for living the liberty life. Sept 26th is Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, honoring the mothers, fathers and families of fallen military service members who have received The Gold Star, the military award no one wants. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Help and support are available 24/7 at 800-273-8255 and SuicidePreventionLifeLine.Org. We encourage you to visit TheFireWatch.Org for awareness, connection and prevention tips. October, and the cover of this issue, starts off with the Navy’s very first Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP 19), homeported at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, celebrating its eighth birthday on October 1st. Known as “Big Red”, VUP 19’s mission is to operate and remotely pilot the Navy’s new, high-altitude, long-endurance, unmanned maritime surveillance and patrol vehicle, the MQ-4C Triton. The large, remotely piloted, drones have a wingspan of 131 feet, carry multiple sensors and can fly about 24 hours at a time with the capability to patrol and survey 2.7 million square miles of ocean and coastal areas in a single mission. All without onboard-crew rest or dinner break requirements.

The Navy’s MQ-4C Triton, Photo Credit: U.S. Navy The Navy’s MQ-4C Triton, Photo Credit: U.S. Navy

Triton’s are expected to be seen flying over The Liberty Coast much more frequently in the future. With numerous naval commands across The Liberty Coast there are, fittingly, two days for celebrating the Navy in October - the U.S. Navy Birthday and Navy Day. The United States Navy was established on October 13,1775 when the Continental Navy was authorized by the Continental Congress. The primary purpose of forming a Navy was to arm ships to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. This year’s party is the 246th. That’s a lot of candles.

In 1922, the Navy League proposed that the official Navy observance be on October 27th in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, a fervent champion of the Navy and former Assistant USS Detroit (LCS 7), Photo Credit: U.S. Navy USS Detroit (LCS 7), Photo Credit: U.S. Navy Secretary of the Navy, who had been born on that day in 1858. Let the Navy birthday parties continue. Naval Air Station Jacksonville celebrates the 81st anniversary of its commissioning on October 15. Ron Williamson, NAS JAX Base Historian will share rare historical photos and stories about the 80 year old base at a luncheon in Downtown Jacksonville on Thursday, SEPT 2. To attend, visit NavyLeagueJax.Org/upcoming-events. Naval Station Mayport will host a few parties as the littoral combat ships, USS Detroit (LCS 7) and USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) mark their anniversaries in commissioned naval service. Liberty Life extends a crisp salute to the Navy for keeping our nation safe and the global sea lines of commerce and communication open. A cousin’s love is responsible for there being a National Day of the Deployed. While deployed in Iraq, U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Hosna’s cousin, Shelle Michaels Aberle, convinced the governor of North Dakota to support a proclamation thanking all military serving outside the US and recognizing their USS Indanapolis (LCS 17), Photo Credit: U.S. Navy USS Indanapolis (LCS 17), Photo Credit: U.S. Navy families who keep things running at home in their absence. October 26 was chosen as that is Hosna’s birthday. Consider sending a care package or note to someone deployed. Search online, call the USO at 904.778.2821 or contact me at Publisher@LibertyLifeMedia.Com for ideas. Or, do like Tony Orlando and “tie a yellow ribbon ‘round the old oak tree.”