San Antonio recognizes Navy’s 248th Birthday at City Council Session

12 October 2023

From Burrell Parmer

SAN ANTONIO – (Oct. 12, 2023) – Sailors assigned to Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC), Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) San Antonio, and Navy veterans gathered at Municipal Plaza during a City Council Session to honor the Navy’s 248th birthday with a traditional cake cutting.

The Hon. Ron Nirenberg, mayor of San Antonio, provided a brief history of the Navy and thanked city employees who served in the Navy such as City Attorney Andy Segovia, who served from 1981 to 1987 as a surface warfare officer.

Capt. Walter Brafford, commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC) and director, U.S. Navy Dental Corps, spoke on behalf of all Sailors and Navy veterans within the city.

“For those of us in the Navy, who are fortunate to be part of the San Antonio community, we are incredibly honored to be part of the fabric of the state of Texas, especially Military City USA,” said Brafford. “There truly is no other city that celebrates and supports its military members like San Antonio.”

Capt. Walter Brafford, commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC) and director, U.S. Navy Dental Corps, assisted by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, cuts a cake in recognition of the U.S. Navy’s 248th birthday during a City Council Session held at the Municipal Plaza. Joining Brafford at the session were Sailors from NMFSC, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) San Antonio, and Navy veterans. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (Oct. 12, 2023) – Capt. Walter Brafford, commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC) and director, U.S. Navy Dental Corps, addresses San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Council members during a City Council Session which included a cake-cutting ceremony to recognize the U.S. Navy’s 248th birthday at the Municipal Plaza. Joining Brafford at the session were Sailors from NMFSC, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) San Antonio, and Navy veterans. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (Oct. 12, 2023) – Capt. Jennifer Buechel, commanding officer, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, joined by Capt. Walter Brafford, commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC) and director, U.S. Navy Dental Corps, speaks with retired Marine Maj. Gen. Juan Ayala, director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department for the City of San Antonio prior to the start of a City Council Session which honored the U.S. Navy’s 248th birthday with a cake-cutting ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (Oct. 12, 2023) – Tim Woliver, assistant to the director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department of the City of San Antonio, speaks with Capt. Jennifer Buechel, commanding officer, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio and Executive Officer Capt. Ewell Hollis at the Municipal Plaza prior to the start of a City Council Session which honored the U.S. Navy’s 248th birthday with a cake-cutting ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

SAN ANTONIO – (Oct. 12, 2023) – Capt. Walter Brafford, commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC) and director, U.S. Navy Dental Corps, thanks San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Council for recognizing the U.S. Navy’s 248th birthday during a City Council Session held at the Municipal Plaza. Joining Brafford at the session were Sailors from NMFSC, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) San Antonio, and Navy veterans. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released)

Brafford, who serves as the senior Naval officer in San Antonio, asked all in attendance to keep those deployed in their thoughts and prayers.

After the conclusion of remarks, the Sailors and veterans gathered to observe the cutting of the cake by Brafford and Nirenberg.

The city sponsors and participates in multiple military-recognition events throughout the year. This includes birthday cake-cutting ceremonies for each of the military services.

Military City USA is home to more than 10,000 Navy students, active and reserve Sailors, Navy civilian employees, and Navy family members.

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
7700 Arlington Blvd. Ste. 5113 Falls Church, VA 22042-5113
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This is a Department of Defense (DoD) Internet computer system.

General Navy Medical Inquiries (to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery): usn.ncr.bumedfchva.mbx.bumed-general-inquiries@health.mil