The Suffolk Department of Defense Complex gathered more than 200 sailors on Tuesday to celebrate the U.S. Navy’s 243rd birthday.

The sailors were visited by two guest speakers, Hampton Roads Naval Museum Director of Educator Laura Orr and Phillip Brashear, the son of amputee Navy diver Carl Brashear.

“We are all forged by the sea, and our Navy has been forged by the sea for over 242 years,” said Vice Admiral Brian Brown. “We are a maritime nation in a new maritime era.”

Brown reminded his sailors that the Navy has been securing the place of the United States since its beginning.

“Throughout history, the Navy has been critical to securing our place. From our humble beginnings to the world wars, we have had thousands of sailors defending our nation,” Brown said.

After 243 years, Brown believes this is the best and brightest Navy the U.S. has ever seen, and he feels lucky to work with the sailors every day.

“All of you are the secret sauce and help advance the U.S.,” Brown said. “The Navy today has the most talented sailors ever produced and the most talented sailors in the world.”

Laura Orr told the sailors stories of the Navy’s past and the things that make sailors successful today.

Creative thinking, moral responsibility and teamwork were the traits of successful sailors throughout history, and Orr believes those traits are what make the Navy successful in the present.

“These qualities give us cause to be proud,” Orr said. “The stories emphasize the positive qualities in our naval fleet.”

The son of Carl Brashear shared the mountains his father had to climb to be successful, but he believes those mountains were more manageable because of what the Navy provided each of its sailors.

Brashear’s father faced struggles because of race, financial hardship and education, not to mention his amputation. Brashear believes the Navy is on the forefront of racial issues, pays its sailors well and provides them a job, continues to educate its sailors and allows those that are physically disabled to join the fleet.

“The Navy operates forward, and we are America’s away team,” Brown said. “We never give up the ship, and we deserve a happy birthday.”