Adm. Daryl Caudle

New York

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command

26 May 2023 ​REMARKS AS DELIVERED
 

• Thank you, Frank, for your kind introduction. On behalf of our sea services, thank you and the entire Navy League organization for tirelessly promoting the critical mission we execute in owning the maritime domain and for your endless support of our service men and women across the globe. Your efforts have forged a strong foundation for future generations of leaders through Navy League Youth programs for over the last 120 years.
• Throughout your decorated history there have been trailblazing civil servants who have devoted their time and talents to promoting the importance of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
• People like Richard W. Scheuing (Shoo-ing), a long-time Navy League member and supporter of the sea services who was instrumental in bringing Fleet Week to New York in 1988. We honor those like Richard and his wife Doris tonight, both of whom have remained fierce advocates for our Naval team throughout their lives.
• It is people like Richard and Doris, and all of you here, that make our team stronger – so I want to thank you for everything you do, and for welcoming the Fleet – your Fleet - back to New York City!
• Events like Fleet Week are certainly not possible without the hard work and support of a strong team – so thank you for your tireless efforts. We could not do this without organizations and people like you.
• Fleet Week New York is officially now in its 35th year, and this relationship – our partnership – continues to prosper and grow. As such, it is both an honor and privilege to once again visit and take in the wonderful hospitality, which the special people of New York City can only offer.
• This evening, joining me are senior Flag and General officers representing our fellow sea services:
  • We have Lt. Gen. Brian Cavanaugh, Commander of Marine Forces Command.
  • And VADM Kevin Lunday, Commander, U-S Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
  • Additionally, we have several of my fellow Commanders here representing Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the Marine Corps, Second Fleet, Military Sealift, First Coast Guard District, Director of Marine Corps Intelligence, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT, and Navy Recruiting.
• Suffice it to say, you have an outstanding group here representing ‘America’s Away Team’ – and I am proud to join our main effort – 2023 Fleet Week New York City’s Navy and Marine Corps Commanding Officers, Executive Officers, Senior Enlisted Leaders, and their hand-picked teams to enjoy a special evening here tonight, they are the center of mass of our maritime forces!

************* LEGACY *************
 

• For this year’s Fleet Week, we have over 2,700 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.
• They hail from across the country, each with different backgrounds and experiences – but they share the common virtues of honor, courage, commitment, and devotion to duty that called them to serve.
• They are the backbone of the Fleet – and because of them, we have indisputably the greatest maritime force the world has ever known.
• Our maritime services are the greatest because of our single greatest enduring, competitive advantage – our people – our warriors - the key to our unbridled overmatch over any potential adversaries or strategic competitor.
• Those service members stand ready in the face of our adversaries and malevolent forces around the world who are intent on disrupting the peace and prosperity that our forbearers fought so hard to secure.
• And just like the intrepid spirit and grit of the people of New York, there is nothing these young men and women can’t do, nothing that they can’t accomplish.
• New Yorkers and our service members share that legacy, that ‘knife in the teeth’ toughness, that laid the foundation for where we are today.
• I want to share with you the story of one in particular, Boatswain’s Mate First Class Clarence Sutphin, Jr., a Bronze Star recipient and namesake of the U-S Coast Guard Cutter that was commissioned right here in New York City a year ago.
• Now, some of you might not know what a Boatswain’s Mate is, but let me tell you, they are the roughest, toughest, and most versatile people you could ever meet.  So think about that – a New Yorker, and a Boatswain’s Mate…. you cannot get much tougher than that.
• B-M-1 Clarence Sutphin, Jr. enlisted mere weeks before the December 7^th 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
• He helped support the landing operations in 1942 during the campaign into North Africa and Sicily.
• As if that wasn’t enough excitement, he transferred to the Pacific theater shortly after where in 1944, he repeatedly risked his life to save others while supporting the landing on Saipan.
• His Bronze Star citation tells how he swam a towline to a broached landing craft stuck on a reef, saved another boat from enemy fire, and aided eight Marines stranded on an open beach who were hurt from mortar shells.
• Ladies and gentlemen, there are people under your charge ready to do that, ready to take those types of risks, ready to put team before self. What fine company we hold!

 
************* VALUE *************
 

• Every day, I see and experience the same toughness, persistence, and tenacity reflected in all of our service members across the nation today.
• It is important to understand that Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen are not born – they are forged, forged by the sea – something I think this group in particular understands and fully appreciates.
• Each and every one of them you meet this week is shaped and strengthened into a more capable version of themselves by virtue of their service and by all those who have gone before them – people like Clarence Sutphin, Jr.
• And so, I encourage you to talk to them tonight and in your travels around town – you will walk away prouder with your head held high knowing that the sea services – your Fleet is and will remain, ready to fight and win.

************* CLOSING *************
 

• In closing, I think I can speak for everyone when I say once again – thank you for welcoming your Fleet back to New York, thank you for all that you do, and thank you for the staunch support of our nation’s Armed Services.
• Thank you.