On October 13, 2025, Americans across the country paused to honor a milestone that resonates far beyond the nation’s coastlines: the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy. From the birthplace of the Navy in Philadelphia to the bustling Navy city of Jacksonville, to school auditoriums and state capitols, communities large and small came together in a patriotic display, reflecting on the Navy’s storied past and its continuing role in shaping the nation’s future.
In Philadelphia, where both the Navy and the Marine Corps trace their origins, the city hosted a week of celebrations befitting its historical significance. According to WPVI, more than 7,000 people gathered for a vibrant parade down Market Street on Monday, October 13, 2025, a spectacle broadcast live on 6abc. Marching bands and colorful floats wound their way through the city, saluting those who serve and have served in the armed forces. The festivities didn’t end there: a dazzling fireworks show lit up the Delaware River on Wednesday night, and Thursday saw a ceremonial sendoff for Navy ships, closing out a week that honored not just history, but the enduring spirit of service.
Jacksonville, Florida—often dubbed a Navy city—also marked the occasion in style, undeterred by concerns over a looming federal government shutdown. As reported by News4Jax, ceremonies aboard the USS Orleck, the state’s only museum warship moored along the St. Johns River, drew crowds of residents and service members, past and present. The event featured speeches, a cake-cutting, and a stirring presentation of colors. Michael Harrington, a retired Navy radioman, shared his reflections with Action News Jax: “The things that we were able to accomplish, the things we were able to see, the way it made us men I think that was the most important part.”
Jacksonville’s deep naval roots were on full display. Retired Captain James Fossa, manager of the USS Orleck, noted to Action News Jax that “in Jacksonville, one out of every four people are an ex service member or active duty service member.” That sense of community pride was echoed by local resident Michael Washington, who told First Coast News, “I think it’s great they’re serving our country, they’re serving Jacksonville; this is a Navy city, so I think it’s great.” Amid the celebrations, President Donald Trump directed the Secretary of Defense to ensure military paychecks would be disbursed on schedule, an effort to ease financial worries for military families during the shutdown standoff.
Meanwhile, in Corpus Christi, Texas, the Coastal Bend region’s strong military tradition was front and center. As reported by local outlets, the USS Lexington Museum—housed on a World War II-era aircraft carrier—served as a focal point for commemorations. “250 is a very big deal,” Steve Banta, Executive Director of the USS Lexington Museum, told reporters. “This community down here in the Coastal Bend, this is one of the best places in the country for military support anyway, and supporting veterans and active duty.” Banta emphasized the museum’s role in preserving naval history alongside the city’s ongoing support for service members.
The Navy’s legacy wasn’t just celebrated by veterans and officials—it inspired the next generation as well. At Flour Bluff High School, the Navy Junior ROTC program is thriving, with students like senior Gabriel Graham setting their sights on the U.S. Naval Academy. “I wanted to build my leadership skills and open doors to new opportunities,” Graham explained. “Joining the Naval Academy was a bigger challenge for me, I wanted to pursue my dream of flying in the Navy.” Senior Naval Science Instructor Rocky Hulse, who has led the program to multiple state and national championship victories, highlighted the strong military bond in the area. “We have a strong military bond here in Flour Bluff with the base, with our military families, and it reflects in our program,” Hulse said.
This groundswell of support may be part of a broader trend. The Navy announced earlier this year that it had achieved its 2025 recruiting goal ahead of schedule, contracting more than 40,000 future sailors by June. Hulse pointed to a changing atmosphere and increased excitement about military service, noting, “If the military feels that people don’t support them, then lots of parents don’t want their kids to go in. I think there’s a different air, there’s a different excitement, if you will, in support of the military, and that’s a super positive thing.”
Celebrations extended to schools and small towns as well. In Marietta, Ohio, the Veritas Classical Academy marked the Navy’s 250th birthday with a ceremony curated by Sons of the American Revolution Secretary Jean Yost. The event paid tribute to the Navy’s founding by the Second Continental Congress on October 13, 1775, and to the earlier creation of the Rhode Island Navy, led by Commodore Abraham Whipple—one of Marietta’s founders. Students sang “The Yankee Privateer” and “Yankee Doodle,” directed by Anita Henrichsen, while local historians and veterans recounted tales of maritime ambition and sacrifice. Marietta Mayor Josh Schlicher addressed the gathering, saying, “We’ve gathered here today as a gesture towards those who’ve sacrificed their lives and all of those who have continued to serve our country.”
Speakers included Henry Devol, a Marietta High School senior who traced his family’s maritime legacy, and Roy Campbell, a former Navy seaman who recounted his service aboard the USS Claude V. Ricketts during the tense days following the 1983 Beirut bombings. “My fascination with the Navy started at an early age. I remember in the eighth grade I saw a slogan that read, ‘join the Navy, see the world,’” Campbell recalled. “I went to about 15 different countries and about 30 different ports while serving in the Navy. I’m very proud to have gotten the opportunity to serve my country and to be part of the Armed Forces.” The ceremony concluded with a benediction from former Machinist Mate Senior Chief Robert L. Hall, who served in the Navy and Navy Reserve from 1967-71 and 1975-97.
State capitals joined the chorus. In New Hampshire, Governor Kelly Ayotte hosted a cake-cutting ceremony at the State House, joined by Representative Maggie Goodlander and members of the Navy community. According to WMUR, Ayotte took the opportunity to thank “the men and women who have served and defended the nation’s freedom at sea.”
The anniversary’s resonance was felt from coast to coast, in grand parades and intimate school gatherings alike. The Navy’s 250th birthday became a moment for Americans to look back on centuries of service and sacrifice—and to look ahead, as a new generation steps forward to chart the course of the next quarter-millennium.
