251st Navy Birthday

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On Friday, 16 October 2026 the Cape Canaveral Council hosted a celebration dinner in honor of the 251st Birthday of the US Navy at the Indian River Colony Club. We were honored to host local representatives from Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris and Northrop Grumman who play a critical role in supporting major US Navy programs in the local area. The founder and owner of KEL-TEC Arms, George Kellgren and his wife Rubi were in attendance. George and Rubi are long time supporters of the Navy League Sea Cadets and the Cape Canaveral Council. Representatives from the American Securities Council Foundation (ASCF) joined us. They have been proponents of a strong military since their inception and are highly supportive of our sea services. CDR Bill Cox, USN (Ret) brought several of his students participating in the Auxiliary University Program at the Florida Institute of Technology. Tim Farrell from Veterans4You, a small business supporting veterans and the federal government, joined us for the evening. Last but not least we were deeply honored to host CAPT Doug Pratt (Commanding Officer, Naval Ordnance Test Unit) and a large contingent of active-duty personnel. It is always an honor and a privilege to have our active-duty personnel in attendance.

The evening started with the Sea Cadets Courageous Division doing a superb job of presenting the colors for this event. Each participating Sea Cadet received a memento for their participation. Retired Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Sean Edwards did a masterful job providing the invocation and reading the POW/MIA Table script. The evening was fast paced with many elements occurring. CDR Bill Cox was presented with a check for $750 to support his newly certified Auxiliary University Program. Florida Senator Debbie Mayfield provided a Florida Senate Proclamation in honor of the 251st Birthday of the US Navy which was presented to CAPT Doug Pratt (CO NOTU). Our Council's own Dean Schaaf was presented with the Navy League Scroll of Honor for his exemplary performance as the past-President of the Cape Canaveral Council and strong volunteerism throughout Brevard County.

The highlight of the evening was the keynote address by VADM Robert Gaucher, Director Submarine Programs who was introduced by his wife Mrs. Renea Gaucher, who spoke on the importance of the Navy spouse and the integral part the Navy League plays throughout the country. VADM Gaucher spoke about the new role he assumed earlier this year and what he is doing to ensure the strength of the nuclear triad for years to come. He graciously took questions from the audience and then we conducted the time honored cake cutting ceremony to signify the passage of knowledge and experience from the elder generations to the younger.

It was truly a special evening and we cannot thank VADM Gaucher enough for taking time from his hectic schedule to make our Navy Birthday dinner celebration special.