USS Stephen W. Groves Reenacts Gun Salute Recognizing U.S. Sovereignty

Andrew Doria was the first ship representing the United States that was recognized by a foreign power when she was flying the Grand Union flag at Sint Eustatius, Nov. 16, 1776. This was the first formal recognition of what was to become the United States by another sovereign nation. The relationship between the United States and the Dutch island began shortly after the 13 colonies declared independence from Britain. Sint Eustatius was one of the few places supplying the colonies with weapons.

When the opportunity for the Navy to play a part in this anniversary was suggested, Stephen W. Groves' Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jon Kreitz, jumped at the chance.

''I am honored to be a part of this historic celebration. When I found out the U.S. Navy was invited to participate, I looked at this as an opportunity to educate others in the United States Navy, and especially the American public, of this significant event in our history. The entire crew of Stephen W. Groves is excited to represent our Navy and our country in front of the Queen of the Netherlands and all the dignitaries here for this celebration,'' Kreitz said.

U.S. Consul General for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Robert E. Sorenson, embarked the ship when Stephen W. Groves stopped at Sint Maarten for a two-day port visit and rode with the crew to Sint Eustatius.

''I think it's important to show our respect for one another and the ongoing partnership we have with the people here in Statia and throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands,'' said Sorenson. ''We need to remember that we're fighting shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan and we're fighting the war on drugs together here in the Caribbean, and one of our most stalwart allies in the world is the Kingdom of the Netherlands.''

A sunset reception held aboard the ship was attended by Sorenson and many others, including the Governor of Sint Eustatius, Hyden Gittens; numerous island dignitaries; the Commander of Dutch Naval Forces in the Caribbean, Commodore Frank Sijtsma; officers from the Dutch Navy ships HMS Van Amstel (F831) and HMS Pelikaan (A804); and most of the American citizens residing on Sint Eustatius.

The formal ceremony on the island Nov. 16 was attended by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The children of the local elementary school performed a choreographed dance routine, which was followed by a skit acted out by local men showing how de Graaf and his men reacted to the Andrew Doria's gun salute. The finale was the re-enactment of the actual gun salute performed by Stephen W. Groves and the two Dutch ships Van Amstel and Pelikaan.

Kreitz explained the significance of the event and its anniversary.

''This historical occasion is not as well known as most other events celebrated in American history. ëStatia Day,' as the island's natives call it, is a day to celebrate the integral part Sint Eustatius played in the birth of the United States. American flags were displayed everywhere, showing the solidarity between the Caribbean island and the United States. We were truly honored to be here and play a part in remembering this important event,'' said Kreitz.

Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Obinna Uchime was excited about participating in this commemoration.

''I didn't know that this holiday even existed. I think that Americans should be celebrating this holiday just as much as the Sint Eustatians do,'' said Uchime.

In a related event occurring during the anniversary observances, Sint Eustatius has undertaken a project jointly with famed tall ship builder Allen C. Rawl of Maryland to build an exact replica of the brigantine Andrew Doria. Queen Beatrix officially kicked off this project by unveiling a scale model of the Andrew Doria during the Statia-America Day festivities. This model will be on display at fundraising events throughout the United States and the Netherlands over the next year.

In a gesture to further strengthen the ties between Sint Eustatius and the U.S. Navy, Kreitz offered and obtained permission from Queen Beatrix and Governor Gittens for Stephen W. Groves to transport the model back to the United States where it will be used in the first fundraising events in the Washington, D.C., area next month.

''I think it couldn't be more fitting than to have a U.S. Navy warship transport this model back to the United States. Everyone aboard Stephen W. Groves hopes that this act will also help educate Americans about this little known, yet very significant part of our history,'' said Kreitz.

Stephen W. Groves is underway conducting exercises and operations at sea, along with port visits and events ashore in the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of operations, to foster military-to-military contact with regional maritime forces in support of theater security cooperation.