Navy Petty Officer Bennett Evans, of Rutherfordton serves aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Bennett Evans, from Rutherfordton, mans the 50-caliber machine gun on the starboard walkway aboard forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Bonhomme Richard is currently underway conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. 

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 3rd Class Christian M. Caldwell/Released)

“Why Being There Matters” On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world’s oceans give the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world’s oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America’s finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.