 Shipmates, C&O Gilday here with my wife Linda to celebrate our Navy's 246th birthday. The theme of this year's birthday celebration is resilient and ready, which speaks to the service, dedication and strength of both our sailors and their families. America's need for a strong Navy is rooted in our past and has never been more important. Providing a safe, secure and a stable maritime system is an essential part of what our Navy does each and every day. We are not simply the keeper of the seas, but we are the keeper of our global way of life as well. We are the primary guarantors of peace, prosperity and maintain the open flow of goods on the oceans. Through every deployment and PCS move, spouses often endure separations as well as shoulder the day-to-day responsibilities of managing and running a household along with their own careers. So true, Linda, and while our ships and our submarines have made a steal, our sailors and their families are the lifeblood of our force and at the heart of our birthday celebration. So today for the seen and unseen responsibilities you each carry and for the daily sacrifices you all make. Thank you. Happy 246th birthday shipmates. See you in the fleet.