By Roderick McClain
10-12-10 – Tomorrow marks the 235th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, and celebrations will start today aboard the Battleship North Carolina. Officials from local and federal posts, including the Secretary of the Navy, are on the guest list.
It's been 26 years since the Navy's highest ranking official set foot in Wilmington, but that will change as Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus joins today's festivities.
Congressman Mike McIntyre says todays's event kicks off an exciting month for Wilmington.
"The Marine Corps band from Camp Lejeune will be with us, and it'll be a very, very special day."
McIntyre says the USS Gravely, a Navy destroyer, will be commissioned here late next month. The Gravely is named in honor of late Vice Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr., the first African-American to command a war ship.