It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Navy Yard. Today, October 27th, is Navy Day. It is also the 170th Anniversary of the founding of the United States Navy and the birthday of a man to whose interest and appreciation, the Navy owes so much--President Theodore Roosevelt.

As you know, during the past five years, the Yard has been closed to the general public because of the War. With victory ours, it is possible now to let you visit the Navy Yard and see for yourselves many of its activities, as well as the combat ships which have been brought here especially for this occasion.