SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- The Navy element of U.S. Transportation Command held a celebration here Oct. 12 in honor of the Navy's 226th birthday.

Rear Adm. Edward Fahy, director of Plans and Policy, hosted a special ceremony for approximately 200 guests.

The event included a stirring "2 Bell" ceremony to honor departed shipmates, the Secretary of the Navy's Birthday Message, a reading of "I am the American Sailor", comments from Fahy and concluded with cutting of the Navy birthday cake and a rousing rendition of Anchors Aweigh."

"All of us here today perform our duties because we believe in who we are; proud to be American," the Admiral said. "Free, because we are Americans.

"Be proud of all of us, and join all of us in celebrating 226 years," he said. "All of us together, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, all the agencies that are fighting this war today. I think it's a great day. I'm so proud of the American people for who we have shown ourselves to be in the last 30 days, and for whom we shall show ourselves to be in the next 30 millenniums."