Military City USA Honors 251 Years of Unwavering Vigilance, Unmatched Lethality

SAN ANTONIO — Leadership from Naval Medical Forces Development Command (NMFDC), Navy Medicine Training Support Command, and Naval Medical Research Unit-San Antonio, joined San Antonio leadership and community members for a special recognition ceremony and traditional cake-cutting event at the San Antonio City Council Chambers, Oct. 15, 2026.

The ceremony, held during a City Council session at Municipal Plaza, honored the U.S. Navy’s enduring legacy of global maritime security, innovation, and sacrifice. Hosted by San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and retired Army Major Gen. Scott Jackson, director of the City of San Antonio Military and Veteran Affairs Department, the event celebrated the deep ties between San Antonio and naval personnel.

“The City Council and I are proud to celebrate the 251st birthday of the United States Navy and honor generations of Sailors who have defended our nation since 1775,” said San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. “Here in Military City USA, the Navy remains an important part of our military community. Sailors serve across San Antonio in missions supporting military medicine, research, intelligence, training, recruiting and readiness.”

Mayor Jones emphasized how deeply the Navy’s legacy is woven into both the municipal identity and her own family’s history of service.

“San Antonio holds a special place in naval history as the namesake of the USS San Antonio commissioned in 2006, and representing the enduring connection between our city, our Navy, and our nation,” said Jones. “As the proud sister of an operations specialist; somebody who just wrapped up their assignment as a drill instructor at Great Lakes, and the niece of a steward who came here from the Philippines, [I am] someone very proud of our Navy family here in the community and excited to celebrate your 251st birthday.”

"It is an honor and a privilege for all of us to be here today celebrating the United States Navy's 251st Birthday," said Rear Adm. Walter Brafford, commander, NMFDC. "For those of us in the Navy and fortunate to be part of the San Antonio community, we are incredibly honored to be part of the fabric of the state of Texas and especially Military City, USA. There truly is no other city that celebrates and supports its military members like San Antonio."

During his remarks at the podium, Brafford highlighted the deep historical footprint of naval forces within the Lone Star State.

"The U.S. Navy has a rich history in Texas dating back as far as the battle of San Jacinto in 1836," said Brafford. "The U.S. Navy has been present here ever since, and today, the naval forces including our Marine Corps brothers and sisters, make up about 15 percent of the active-duty forces assigned in the San Antonio area."

Following his remarks, Brafford joined Mayor Jones to execute the time-honored Navy Birthday cake-cutting ceremony. The ceremony closed with a group photograph of local Sailors, veterans, and city leaders.

"This week, like every week for the past 251 years, the U.S. Navy is underway around the world, on the sea, under the sea, and in the air," said Brafford. "The U.S. Navy is as critical to our nation today as we were on Oct. 13, 1775, and we are all proud to serve alongside the greatest Sailors the world has ever known, in the greatest Navy the world has ever known. I would ask that all of us here today keep our deployed Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen in our thoughts and prayer.”

NMFDC is the headquarters element designated within the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery as a direct subordinate to the Surgeon General of the Navy, charged with leading and managing all medical training, education, professional development, and instruction to produce highly trained and ready medical personnel.

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