Naval Air Station Jacksonville is celebrating its 80th birthday this week.
To celebrate the eight decade milestone, a live-oak tree was planted on the base.
It’s meant to signify NAS Jacksonville’s strength, wisdom and longevity.
According to the Navy, the base was commissioned on October 15, 1940, after Duval County passed a $1 million bond, making it the nation’s only military installation to be established by a direct gift from the people.
Today, NAS Jacksonville is the third largest U.S. Naval installation in the world.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
Photo used under Creative Commons license.
