Comments from AUSN President CAPT G Mark Hardy,

Happy Birthday, United States Navy Reserve!

Today, 3 March 2010, is the 95th birthday of the United States Navy Reserve. Congratulations to all of you who have participated in making our Reserve Force an integral component of our national defense.

For more than half of this time (since 1954), our Association has represented the Sailors, families, and mission of the Navy and the Navy Reserve. This is an important and necessary role for our national defense. As citizen-sailors, we have two roles in society. As citizens we vote for our elected representatives, and participate in the national debate. As Sailors, we support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and obey the orders of the President. These roles are not mutually exclusive. Through our military experience, we bring a level of knowledge to public debate that informs and influences our fellow citizens. As military professionals, we know that our loyalty in executing our orders and fulfilling our mission help to protect and defend our families, communities, and our nation.

As our nation's strategic needs have evolved, so has our Association. Today, as the Association of the United States Navy, we represent ALL Sailors -- active, reserve, and retired, yet remain loyal to our roots as the Naval Reserve Association by protecting the interests of a strong Navy Reserve.

You have been a part of what makes America great. Your service to our nation is significant, whether you are mobilized to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Horn of Africa today, served as a combat veteran of World War II, or drilled for years as a vital member of our strategic Naval Reserve. All of us can be proud of our contributions, and today is an opportunity to offer a heart-felt "thank you" to every member for a job well done.

Warm regards,

G. Mark Hardy
National President