'As resilient as ever': Fletcher celebrates Navy's 246th birthday

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Houston) celebrated the Navy’s 246th birthday on Oct. 13.

Congresswoman Fletcher, a Democrat for Texas’s Seventh District, said the military branch that protects our interests at sea should be celebrated.

"[Two hundred forty-six] years of defending our shores, protecting Americans and our allies worldwide—and as resilient as ever,” Fletcher wrote. “Happy birthday, @USNavy!"

The Navy was established when the Continental Congress appointed two ships, with 80 sailors, at the onset of the Revolutionary War, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Navy would grow to over 50 ships by the time the war concluded.

George Washington once said it is “as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive—and with it, everything honorable and glorious.”

The Navy's objective is to “maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas," and it does so with personnel that includes aviation, surface warfare, nuclear submarines, special forces and support services.

Currently, there are over 341,000 sailors serving in the Navy, along with additional 59,000 reserve personnel, according to Military.com.