The Fleet Sheet - mayportnlus.org
Transcription
The Fleet Sheet - mayportnlus.org
The Fleet Sheet A monthly Newsletter from the Mayport Navy League Vol. No. 15 No. 1 December/January, 2013/2014 From the Bridge Mayport Navy Leaguers This has been a very exciting period! At the end of October, the USS Zephyr (PC 13) and USS Torondo (PC 14) arrived to join USS Shamal (PC 13) in calling Mayport home! In November we helped the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville sponsor a Women's Leadership Symposium for Men and Women. The symposium was held at the Everbank building auditorium to an almost capacity crowd - about 50 - 50 men and women! The symposium had a junior and senior panel - some very experienced leaders at both levels - and the advice and comments that were provided were simply "spot on!" The stage-setter presentation was by our Mayport Chaplain Rector - the Military Chaplain of the Year and she nailed it. Donna Deegan was the noon keynote speaker and was great. Focused workshops in the afternoon. It was a very, very good day! On 6 December, I was privileged to fly out in a Marine V-22 and embark in USS New York (LPD 21) for her transit into her new home port - it was a great trip in with Congressman Crenshaw, Mayor Brown and other local dignitaries. Once moored, there was a super welcoming ceremony that included Senator Nelson and a letter from Senator Rubio. New York is a beautiful ship and her crew is simply superb! She will be joined next year by USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort McHenry. This is last opportunity for me to pen a "From the Bridge" article for our Fleet Sheet (Rick Costner will take the helm at the 16 January dinner). Our By-laws require that the outgoing President give a "State of the Council" to the membership on the occasion of turning over the leadership of the Council. I would like to take this forum to provide that status to you. Membership - we are not holding our own. While our retention is at 81%, our membership has declined this year from 374 to 341 as of 30 November 2013. So far in 2013, 170 of the 210 eligible members have renewed their membership. The data is from the Navy League HQ data base. Financial - We have $46,672.60 in council operating funds as of 30 November. In addition, we hold money in trust for the Mayport Sea Cadets who use the interest to support their activities. Con’t on page 2 JOIN US See our Website http://www.mayportnlus.org NEXT DINNER 17 January 2014 RADM Ricky Williamson Commander Navy Region Southeast Guest Speaker The dinner reservation form is on page 7 and only requires two (2) snips of the scissors to cut off the return portion! RUBIO, TESTER INTRODUCE MEASURE TO RAISE MILITARY PAY U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jon Tester (D-MT) today introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would raise the salaries of active duty military personnel by 1.8 percent. In its current form, the NOAA includes President Obama's original budget request for a 1.0 percent increase - even though a 2004 law requires that military pay be linked to the Economic Cost Index, which would be 1.8 percent this year. Con’t on page 3 From the Bridge - Con’t from page 1 . We had some very successful fundraising events this year: the Silent Auction, Birdies for Charity, Holiday Pops. Chip in for Youth went to support our Youth Programs (JU NROTC, Terry Parker High School NJROTC and Mayport Sea Cadets) and Wreaths Across America proceeds went to our Sea Cadets. Navy Leaguers donated 98 hours of labor at a TPC concession area to raise $604.64 to support the Sea Cadets. The Sea Cadets work the Environmental Engineering Effort (Trash Patrol) at the TPC and raised $5,000.00 - they are self sufficient with this major effort each year and can focus the rest of their year on professional development. No- Dough Dinners at the Mayport USO - Your council sponsors 4 dinners. 24 volunteers helped feed approximately 1,000 active duty or their families. In addition, Mayport Navy Leaguers pitched in and helped with 3 other No-Dough Dinners that are sponsored by organizations or personnel associated with our Sea Services. Transition - Goals, Plans, Success (T-GPS) Classes for Retiring or Separating Personnel - your council provided Discussion Leaders to all 34 of these classes which helped about 780 Sailors transition to civilian life. Our Discussion Leaders are all experienced, retired Navy Officers who have "been there - done that!" Ship Greeting - 6 ships returned from major deployments and 4 ships changed homeport to Mayport - all 10 of these ships were met by a team of your Navy Leaguers - every person on the pier, from little children to great Grandparents, was given an American Flag to wave as the ship came along side - we handed out over 2,500 flags to family and friends greeting their loved one's return home! A great sight! Coast Guard Picnics - we sponsored two picnics with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville - a great chance to meet and talk with some wonderful Coast Guardsmen and to see their ships and craft! Sailor of the Quarter Luncheons at Mayport - with our partners, NFCU, Morris Busbia GEICO, Tulsa Welding School and First Command Financial Services, we sponsored 4 of these luncheons - we underwrote the lunch cost for the honorees and their families. Individual Augmentee Luncheons - as we are drawing down in Afghanistan, there are fewer and fewer IAs going forward so only one lunch honoring them was held this year at NAS Jacksonville, Your council, in partnership with Orange Park Rotary Clubs underwrites the luncheons, the plaque, certificate, and coin provided to each honoree. Honors Support Team - in partnership with St. Augustine and Jacksonville Councils, your Mayport Council underwrites some extra-ordinary dry cleaning costs for the Sailors who provide the Honors Details at the funerals at Jacksonville National Cemetery. These Sailors must be in inspection quality uniforms at all times - in all weather. They are not provided the funding to cover these extra-ordinary dry cleaning cost, so we help with "chits" to a local dry cleaner. Battle of Midway Dinner - the past several years, under the leadership of our John Vargo, our Battle of Midway Event & Dinner has transitioned from a downtown hotel to the World Golf Village - and has increased attendance from about 250 to over 800 as a high with last year at over 650 attendees. Behind this, John has led the Battle of Midway event, fundraising and cost control so that we have recovered all previous years losses and now have money set aside to begin the work required to produce the next years event. This is simply a huge, major achievement and between John Vargo and Bill Dudley and their team - they got us back where we should be both financially and in attendance. Communications - We have a new and highly professional web site - (http://www.mayportnlus.org) We have a new Mayport Council e-mail account - mayportnavyleague@gmail.com Your newsletter - The Fleet Sheet - has been redesigned to be more eye-appealing, readable and functional. Marines at BIC - we provided professional reading books from the Commandants reading list for the NCOs of the Quarter and we provided Commissary Gift Cards to the 1st Sergeant to help Marine families at the Holidays. In addition, we have provided a range of keynote dinner speakers that covered many different subjects in an effort to keep our Mayport Navy Leaguers abreast of things impacting or affecting our Sea Services as well as our local history and port operations.. These are not things that the President has done - it has been a true team effort by your Mayport Council 2013 Officers, Board and Committee Chairs - a team of truly dedicated and professional volunteers - I encourage you to join in these great activities and events - you can make a great difference - please! George Huchting President - Mayport Navy League 2 Calendar Of Coming Events From the Congressional Affairs Chairman Con’t from page 1 'The men and women of our military make huge sacrifices for our nation and have earned the chance to be compensated accordingly. Passing this amendment will have a direct positive impact on our military volunteers and their families," said Rubio. "Congress and the President should be following the laws already on the books to provide appropriate compensation to the members of the armed forces. As we continue to deploy troops all around the world to fight terrorism, respond to disasters and defend our interests, we have a duty to take care of them and their families." "This amendment ensures our military men and women receive a pay raise consistent with current law and in line with growth in the private sector," said Tester. "Though our military makes up just one percent of our population, service members and their families shoulder tremendous burdens and make great sacrifices to keep us safe and maintain our freedom. We owe it to them to make sure they can take care of their families." J. Michael McGrath 1st Tuesday of every month Board Meeting - Queens Harbour 4 p.m. - All members welcome 2nd Wednesday - Join us for a Mixer 5 to7 p.m. - Culhane’s Irish Pub 3rd Thursday of every month Mayport Council Dinner 6 p.m. - Ocean Breeze January 16, 2014 Dinner at Ocean Breeze - p.m. Installation of 2014 Mayrport Navy League Leadership Team RADM Rick Williamson Commander, Navy Region SE Guest Speaker Congressional Affairs Chairman New Security Requirement For those of you who need base access for the Dinners, it will be necessary to include with your request all of the following information for all occupants of the vehicle - For Base Access - Base Security now has a requirement for Full Name (as on Driver's License) & Date of Birth for ALL occupants in the car. AND THE LAST 4 DIGITS OF ALL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS (THIS IS NEW) This information must be submitted on the Base Access list to the Security Office for the dinner. This information should be provided on the reverse side of the dinner reservation form. This is only needed for folks who do not have DoD or MWR stickers. 3 REMEMBER TO SAVE THE DATE June 7, 2014 Battle of Midway Event & Dinner Renaissance Hotel World Golf Village Place your Ad Here To Support the Sea Services $35 for one month $250 for one year (10 issues) Mayport Navy League 2014 Preliminary Schedule of Events Note - some opportunities come up at very short notice and we do not have time to get in The Fleet Sheet - so We send out the notice by e-mail - do we have your e-mail? If not or if in doubt - send your e-mail address to: geohuch@aol.com and we will get it into the system! Board of Directors - meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month (except July) - 4 PM at Queens Harbor (try to hold to 1 hour bar is open after!) - All invited - come be part of planning and making things happen! Join-ups - Casual get together on the 2nd Wednesday of each month - 5:30 PM at Culhanes Irish Pub in Atlantic Beach (nohost) Ship Greeting - Meet ships as they return from major deployments and hand out flags to families on the pier - Dates and times are provided on relatively short notice due to security of information about ship movements - Actual date, time and berth provided by our Mayport Navy League e-mail - do we have your e-mail? Events 22 May - Congressional Update Unless otherwise noted, dinners are at: Ocean Breeze Congressman Crenshaw invited Conference Center, Naval Station Mayport Social Hour - 6 PM - Dinner - 7 PM 7 June - Battle of Midway Event & Dinner Keynote Speaker or Presentation - 8 PM - Entree choice & Renaissance Hotel - World Golf Village RSVP will be in The Fleet Sheet 19 June - Informal Outdoor Event 6 - 14 January - working with the Commanding Officer, At the quarters of Admiral and Mrs. Harris and Captain and Mrs. Blount Island Command (BIC) for: McCall Tour of BIC and of a Pre-Positioning Ship being loaded out to deploy - Details will finalize after The Fleet Sheet 23 June - Mayport Navy League sponsored No-Dough Dinner goes to press so - More information will follow via e-mail Mayport USO do we have your e-mail! 18 September - Youth Night - Honoring and Focusing on: 16 January - Commander, Navy Region South East JU NROTC, Terry Parker High School NJROTC & RADM Rick Williamson Mayport Sea Cadets Installation of 2014 Mayport Navy League Leadership Team 22 September - Mayport Navy League sponsored No-Dough Dinner - Mayport USO 20 February - Individual Augmentee (IA) Luncheon Naval Air Station Jacksonville - 11 AM - 1 PM 16 October - Major Fundraiser - Silent Auction (?) Dinner - Marine Corps Focus Night - Honor - Blount Island Command Marine of the Year 23 October - Coast Guard Cook-out & Picnic with Mayport Navy USS New York - working with the ship and their schedLeague - At Sector Jacksonville pavilion ule: Propeller Club, CG Auxiliary and others invited - fun afternoon Event in USS New York for Northeast Florida Navy event Leaguers - Event for the crew - More information will follow 7 & 8 November - US Naval Academy Glee Club at the Times Do we have your e-mail! Union Center - Working which night will be a Mayport Navy League night - more to follow 20 March - Coast Guard Focus Night - Keynote Speaker Flag Officer from CHG HQ invited 20 November - Dinner Program in development Honor Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Coast Guardsman 8 December - Mayport Navy League sponsored No-Dough Dinner of the Year Mayport USO 24 March - Mayport Navy League sponsored No-Dough Dinner - Mayport USO 17 April - Navy Focus Night Keynote Speaker - to be determined Honor Mayport Sea, Air and Shore Sailors of the Year December - Program in development - Holiday Pops event or ??? Mark your calendar for these events and support your Sea Services! 4 Mayport Council - November Dinner Tom Pumphrey, Charlene Kurth, Ron Kurth Len Cook and Joy Cook Josi Hunt, Gloria McGrath and Reyna McCall That’s the COBB SALAD! Just delicious The Hoffer’s were celebrating their Wedding Anniversary Mayport Sea Cadet Color Guard Our Guest Speaker Brian W. Taylor, JAXPORT Executive Officer with George Huchting 5 5 Returning Member RADM (Ret) Gene Kendall Welcome Back! USS New York Arrives in new homeport - Mayport! USS New York Arrives in new homeport - Mayport! As many of you saw on the news, USS New York (LPD-21) stood into her new homeport - our homeport - Mayport mid-day Friday, 6 December. I was privileged to fly out to the ship in one of the Marine Corps' new V-22s. This is the plane that can take off vertically and then transition and fly like an airplane. In the picture, you can see two V-22s on the flight deck of New York. The ride is great and you really don't know when you are changing from regular horizontal flight to vertical flight for landing on the ship. Check that of my "Bucket List!" The ship is immaculate and the crew is simply superb. Congressman Crenshaw, Mayor Brown and other local city officials flew out as well - and we all had a great tour of the ship. After mooring, there was a formal "Welcoming" that included Senator Nelson and a letter from Senator Rubio as well as remarks from Florida State area leaders and Admiral Gortney - Commander, Fleet Forces Command. Your Mayport Navy League team was on the pier ensuring that everyone had their American flag to wave - it was a beautiful day in every way! Welcome to Mayport - USS New York! George Huchting P.S. - we are working to have an event in USS New York some time after the ship settles into Mayport Spring? 6 6 You Are Cordially Invited to Mayport Council Navy League Monthly Dinner Thursday January 16, 2014 Ocean Breeze Conference Center - Naval Station Mayport Six O'clock Cocktails - Cash Bar Seven O'clock Dinner Tossed Fresh Green Salad with choice of 2 dressings Prime Rib or Crabmeat Stuffed Flounder or Cobb Salad Herb Roasted Red Potatoes, Medley of Fresh Garden Vegetables Desert Station Guest Speaker - RADM Ricky Williamson, Commander, Navy Region Southeast Reservations Must Be Received by Friday, January 10, 2014 Please complete and return with your check payable to MAYPORT NAVY LEAGUE or visit our website www.mayportnlus.org for payment by PayPal YOU MUST CANCEL BY NOON, MONDAY, January 13, 2014 TO RECEIVE YOUR MONEY BACK PAYMENT AT THE DOOR without reservation is $35 - We cook to Reserations PLEASE MAIL YOUR CHECK IN THE ENCOSED ENVELOPE, Addressed to Mayport Navy League, Treasurer, P.O. Box 331944, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233-1944 Any questions, please call Bob Price, (904) 246-9982 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME__________________________________________PHONE_______________ E-Mail ________________________________________________________________ Change of Address - Please use form on reverse side I HAVE ENCLOSED MY CHECK FOR $___________ FOR _________RESERVATIONS. I need Base Access _____ Please use form on reverse side ____________ Prime Rib - $30.00 ____________ Flounder - $25.00 ____________ Cobb Salad - $15.00 (Please indicate choice) I need base access - ______ Please form on reverse side Change of Address Please use form on reverse 7 Rear Admiral Ricky Williamson Commander, Navy Region Southeast January Guest Speaker Rear Adm. Williamson is a native of Jacksonville, Fla. He is a 1985 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. His early sea assignments include tours in USS Dewey (DDG 45), USS Briscoe (DD 977), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and executive officer in USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60). He commanded USS Simpson (FFG 56) during NATO’s Standing Naval Forces Atlantic 2004 deployment to the United States, the first such visit by NATO to the United States after 9/11. Under his command, Simpson won two Battle E’s. Ashore, his assignments include tours in the Washington-area as the executive assistant to Commander Navy Installations Command, and deputy director of Plans and Policy. Additionally, he served as a lead examiner of both the Steam and Gas Turbine Branches at the Propulsion Examination Board at Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In May 2006, Williamson served as the executive officer of the Command Leadership School in Newport, R. I. From 2008 to 2011, he served as the commanding officer of Naval Base San Diego. During this tour, Naval Base San Diego was selected as the 2010 Presidential Installation Excellence Award and the 2011 Presidential Green Government Award. Williamson earned a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990 and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. For Base Access - Base Security now has a requirement for Full Name (as on Driver's License) & Date of Birth for ALL occupants in the car. AND THE LAST 4 DIGITS OF ALL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS (THIS IS NEW) This information must be submitted on the Base Access list to the Security Office for the dinner. Full Name__________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Birth _______________________________________________________________________________________ Last 4 digits of Social Security Number ____________________________________________________ CHANGE OF ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State & Zip Code 8 Sea Cadet News Our Mayport Division Sea Cadet unit and the Manatee Division were invited by Centurion Sea Cadet Division from Orlando to participate in their annual FTX (FTX stands for field training exercises) training in Ocala National Forest at the Doe Lake campground. Centurion and Manatee adults arrived on Thursday and established the base camp, kitchen and set up tents for the cadets. The kitchen/dining hall was used for classroom and doctor's office in addition to feeding 3 meals to the 140 cadets and staff. The cadets showed up on Friday and had their sea bags and gear checked. Orientation included briefings for bears, snakes and hunters and the importance of not going anywhere without a battle buddy. There were 4 SEALs and a couple of retired Spec Ops personnel who worked with the 110 cadets on teamwork skills. After they all had been through trainings for recon, assault, inflatable boats and extraction techniques they were given a mission scenario for a night operation and were split into two groups of four teams. They had an opportunity to do a walk-through before dinner. The fun started after dark. One team did the recon and then reported to a second team responsible for the Assault and "capturing" a base CO. The prisoner was delivered to a boat team who paddled him across the lake and delivered him to an extraction team. It was done as a competition with the winning team getting a big bowl of ice cream to eat while the losing team watched. The trainings and the operations were run in the rain. Sunday morning after breaking camp they had a chance to battle each other with the airsoft weapons, (they shoot plastic BBs), they had brought with them. Everyone who participated wore appropriate safety gear. It was a wet weekend - raining when we arrived on Friday - finally subsided after 9 pm Saturday. Some of the cadets had never been away from home much less camping. Injuries were limited mostly to mosquito bites, blisters and small cuts. Everyone had a good time and is looking forward to doing it again next year. Most of our group slept in the vans on the way back. We owe Centurion a huge Thank you ! They coordinated the training, organized location and supplied instructors, and made sure everyone was fed. It is with much regret that I pass along to you the notice that Morgan Fitch (former Navy League National President) pass away on November 18, 2013. Not only the “founding father” of the Naval Sea Cadets, Morgan was a substantial benefactor and ardent supporter of our Sea Cadets for the past fifty years. He will be missed. 9 USS Zumult DDG 1000 This futuristic ship was launched without ceremony (due to the travel limitations of sequestration) at Bath Iron Works, Bath Maine on 28 October this year. This ship is the result of over a decade of major investment in research and development of new systems and designs. Equipped with two (2) 155 MM guns that can fire Long Range Land Attack Projectiles with pin point accuracy some 63 nautical miles inland. The ship was originally intended to be a 32 ship class that would provide close gun fire support to forces (Army, Marine Corps, allies) maneuvering ashore while standing off over the horizon. The new technology includes a vertical launching system that runs along the outside of the hull for various types of missiles as well as significant ASW, AAW and EW capabilities. The Integrated Power System provides significant electrical power for the weapons systems and for the newly designed electric propulsion. Major effort has been invested in hull and superstructure design in an order to reduce the radar signature of the ship as a major capability in self defense - if you cannot see it - you have a really hard time hitting it. The superstructure is composite with the radar and communication antennas imbedded. The composite superstructure for DDG -1000 and 1001 is built in Huntington-Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi and shipped to Bath, Maine for installation. DDG -1002 will have a steel deck house. As of this time, there are only three (3) of these ships being procured. The ship will have a crew of 130 and this futuristic ship will be commanded by Captain James Kirk USN - and, no - we did not make this up! BATTLE OF MIDWAY DINNER - 2013 Special Thanks to our Sponsors - It was a GREAT Success! The Boing Company Tulsa Welding School Pat Ray Renaissance World Golf Village Resort BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Navy League - Mayport Council Navy League - St. Augustine Council Florida Blue Northrop Grumman St. Augustine Florida Times Union Morris Busbia GEICO PacOrd Inc USAA - United Services Automobile Association Bill McLoughlin Navy Federal Credit Union and Marge Petschke VyStar Credit Union Rosanne Jameson First Coast Commandery and Bill Boydstun Naval Order 10 Membership Application ___________________________________________________ Name (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.) First, Middle Initial & Last Name ___________________________________________________ Name of Spouse (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Etc.) First Middle Initial & Last Name ___________________________________________________ Address Number, Street (Apt. Suite, P.O. Box) ___________________________________________________ City State Zip Code ___________________________________________________ Email Date of Birth ___________________________________________________ Home Phone # Business Phone # __________________________________________________ Sponsor's Name Sponsor's Membership # _Mayport________________________________________ Type of Membership (Please circle one) One - Year Membership Two - Year Membership Save $20 over 1 year rate Three - Year Membership Save $25 over 1 year rate Life Membership - Age 55 & below Life Membership - Age 56-75 Life Membership - Age 76 & above Husband/Wife Membership Active Duty Spouse $50.00 $90.00 $125.00 $1,000.00 $750.00 $500.00 $85.00 $30.00 Method of Payment Check enclosed (Make payable to NLUS) or Charge my Visa Mastercard AMEX Preferred Council Mail your application to NLUS, P.O. Box 2208, Merrifield, VA 22116-9958 or give to a Mayport Council Member Thank you ____________________________________________________ Name on Card ___________________________________________________ Card Number ___________________________________________________ Expiration Date Signature Corporate and Community Affiliate Membership - What’s is all about! The Corporate Membership program is structured to help industry maintain a strategic position in front of key military, civilian defense, and homeland security decision makers. From Washington, DC programs to local events with our Councils nationwide, the Navy League can help enhance your company's brand and patriotic reputation among industry and military leaders alike. Community Affiliate Memberships demonstrates a company's commitment to the local council and a desire to support and advance the objective and purpose of the Navy League. This membership is designed for companies whose business is primarily local rather than national in scope. Community Affiliate membership demonstrates your desire to support young people through our special youth programs and scholarships. Council activities range from special military installation visits and ship tours or cruises to a wide variety of social events as luncheons or dinners during which members of the Sea Services are honored or presented with awards. Council members work together to foster common local interest and to promote maritime issues of national importance. And along the way, we have a great time! 11 MAPORT FLORIDA COUNCIL of The NAVY LEAGUE of The U.S. P.O. Box 331944 Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit 1249 Jacksonville, Florida CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Officers President - George Huchting - (904) 280-9807 Immediate Past President Dennis Stokowski -(904)307-5289 First Vice President Rick Costner - (904)645-5299 Vice Presidents Administration - Rosanne Jameson - (904)491-5140 Operations - Brian Kennedy - (904)992-4159 Secretary - Debbie Herrera - (904)288--1901 Treasurer - Robert W. Price - (904)246-9982 Chaplain - Jim Mennis - (904)241-7019 Judge Advocate - Dan McCarthy Newsletter- Pat Pumphrey - (904)280-0941 Thank you to our Corporate and Community Affiliates Members Corporate Member - Community Affiliates - Tulsa Welding School Calling all local business Join up as Community Affiliates and Support The Mayport Council and The Sea Services. Community Affiliate membership is $400 per year. Call Debbie Herrera, (904) 288-1901 for various levels of Corporate Membership. 12 All Purpose Printing and Graphics, Inc. Atlantic Eye Institute BAE Systems SE - Mayport CDI Government Services Culhane’s Irish Pub, Inc Hampton Inn & Suites Navy Federal Credit Union Oto Melara North America Quinn Shalz A Family Funeral Home Renaissance Resort At World Golf Smart Pharmacy, Inc.