Legiontown categories cover service branches, basic training and more.
The U.S. Navy celebrates its birthday on Oct. 13. In 1775, a naval force was established by the Continental Congress to aid in the conflict with the British.
Millions of Americans’ service over 251 years makes for an abundance of stories. And The American Legion seeks to preserve and share them through its popular Legiontown blog. Legion Family members are encouraged to contribute text and photos in a number of categories, including Why I Chose the Navy (or other branches), Our Korean War Story, Memories of Basic Training, Family Legacy and more. Click here to get started.
Daniel Dowling, a member of Louis K. Juden Post 63 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., contributed his Navy story last summer before the service branch’s 250th birthday:
“In 1987, I saw the TV commercial ‘Port of Call, Hong Kong,’ showing sailors running off a ship and experiencing downtown Hong Kong with dragons dancing. ‘It's Not Just a Job, It's an Adventure’ was the theme. Being a warm-blooded Midwestern boy, I was inspired to visit the local Navy recruiter in Overland, Mo. My recruiters were great and offered the training and rate I was interested in (data processing technician, which no longer exists), so I enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). They were truthful. I spent most of my 12-year career as a WestPac sailor, living in Hawaii and traveling throughout the Far East, Persian Gulf and Australia. It was truly the best decision I ever made.”
Happy birthday, Navy!
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