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Volume 14, No.2
The Voice of Sea Scouts in the Northeast Region
Spring 2010
Having Fun With A Purpose!
28th Annual Northeast Region BSA Bridge of Honor and Sea Scout Ball
On March 20, 2010, the Holiday Inn Select in Bridgeport, NJ, saw a sold-out crowd of 250 Sea Scouts from
29 Ships out of 9 States. The event kicked off with an afternoon Skippers Meeting facilitated by Regional
Commodore Bob Sirhal, and a separate Quarterdeck Meeting with the Regional Boatswain Jessica Gall and
Regional Boatswain’s Mate Mark Porches, where the groups discussed some key topics of concern among
the region and obtained feedback for improvements and innovations. Both sessions were visited by Keith
Christopher, National Sea Scout Director, and he briefed the participants on current news; you can read his
comments by accessing http://www.seascout.org/for_leaders/organizational_structure/
2010-03-20_Highlights.pdf
Presenting Regional Commodore Bob Sirhal, Regional Boatswain Mark Porches, Outgoing Regional Boatswain Jessica Gall,
Regional Boatswain’s Mate Joe Mandara, National Boatswain Connor Rieve & National Sea Scout Director Keith Christopher.
During the evening’s Bridge of Honor ceremonies, a combined crew from the Chesapeake Flotilla (Sea Scout
Ships 7916, 548 and 1115) performed the Land Ship Ceremony. And they did a great job. Bravo Zulu!
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Our Keynote Speaker was James Zatwarnicki, Jr, Captain, Ship 228, from Rahway, NJ. James grew up in the
scouting program and attributes his personal and professional choices as a direct result of his being a sea
scout. He encouraged the audience to follow their heart when selecting careers and that he loves the water!
The Monday following the RBOH, James shipped out to Guam to meet the RV Marcus G. Langseth, an
underwater seismic survey vessel, for a three-month stint. We wish him fair winds and following seas!
Keynote Speaker
Land Ship Crew
Ship’s Company All Present
Hoist the Colors
Welcoming National Dignitaries
Messrs. Sirhal, Rieve and Christopher
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At the Bridge of Honor we recognize our Sea Scouts, adult and youth alike. Here is a listing of those honors:
Sea Scout of the Year:
Steven O’Neil - SSS Ship 1, CT
Megan Zimmerman - SSS Jubilee, Ship 5, PA
Caroline Brugo - SSS Barracuda, Ship 12, NY
Brian Alexander Davis - SSS Yorkshire, Ship 25, PA
Maria Verderosa - SSS Sea Dog, Ship 26, NY
Lynn Francis - SSS Nobska, Ship 40, MA
Charles Sedor - SSS New Jersey, Ship 62, NJ
Christian Chludzsinski - SSS North Star, Ship 90, PA
Alex Zimmer - SSS Not By Bread Alone, Ship 110, CT
Aryeh Berger – SSS Ship 132, NJ
Jason M. Fay – SSS Polaris, Ship 178, PA
Mark A. Porches - SSS Eagle, Ship 198, DE
Kevin Klos - SSS Slayer, Ship 201, PA
Frank J. A. Sehn - SSS Vigilant, Ship 441, NY
Brenda Renninger - SSS Sea Eagle, Ship 548, MD
William Wheaton - SSS Dragon, Ship 584, CT
William E. Nelson – SSS Constellation, Ship 1115, VA
Reanna Lombardozzi, SSS Nutfield, Ship 1836, NH
Erin Gallagher - SSS Dragon Lady, Ship 1942, VA
Kyle Curato - SSS Ship 2037, NY
Rebecca Ilana Siegal - SSS Blue Heron, Ship 7916, VA
Presenting the Recipients of the Northeast Region 2010 Sea Scout of the Year Award - Bravo Zulu!
Catherine A Mullikin Sea Scout Volunteer of the Year Award:
Joseph Anthony Mandara - SSS Sea Dog, Ship 26, NY
Regional Commodore Award of Excellence:
SSS Jubilee - Ship 5, West Chester, PA
SSS Barracuda - Ship 12, Glen Cove, NY
SSS Sea Dog - Ship 26, West Hempstead, NY
SSS Spirit of ’76 - Ship 76, Harwich, MA
SSS North Star - Ship 90, New Milford, PA
SSS Slayer - Ship 201, Jenkintown, PA
SSS Vigilant - Ship 441, Queens, NY
SSS Dragon Lady - Ship 1942, Arlington, VA
Commander Thomas J Keane Award:
Noel E. Guzman, Skipper, Ship 441, Queens, NY
We also announced the new regional youth officers:
2010-2011 Regional Boatswain: Mark Porches - Ship 198, DE
2010-2011 Regional Boatswain’s Mate: Joseph Mandara - Ship 26, NY
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Another highlight is the semi-formal Sea Scout Ball. Over 120 Sea Scouts joined in the fun on the dance floor,
enjoying the non-stop tunes from “Rock Your Body” with DJ Alex Robles. The sound of laughter and stomping
feet from the ballroom was a good indication of the fun and playfulness of our youth. For this year’s Ball, we
crowned:
2010 Sea Scout Ball’s Royal Court:
King: Cameron Peters, Ship 7916, VA
Queen: Carly Neumann, Ship 2, NY
Prince: John Downey, Ship 1942, VA
Princess: Destiny Haynes, Ship 132,NJ
Jester: Alexi Barnada, Ship 5,PA
We also had several sea scouts watching a current movie (“Up”) in one breakout room and a spirited
discussion on recruiting and “war stories” in the other breakout room. There was also a debate on what was a
better “mid-rat” offering - pretzels or sherbet cups; still not sure which one won!
On Sunday, we had a youth-led devotion on caring for God’s earth. We were reminded to be mindful of our
planet, the animals, insects, spiders, and even the humans! Thanks to Sue Rieve, Ship 110, CT, for
coordinating, and for sea scouts Adam Zech, Ship 25, PA, Myles Gallagher, Ship 1942, VA, Julia Brehl, Ship
2037, NY, Tina Barry, Ship 110, CT, Charlie Sedor, Ship 62, NJ, Amanda Ballassi, Ship 584, CT, and Jason
Fay, Ship 178, PA, for assisting with readings and prayers, plus Will Kommritz, Ship 110, CT, for the sound
system to ensure we could all hear the message and music.
At the conclusion of the Regional Bridge of Honor, attendees brought home a yellow coffee travel mug with the
motto “Sea Scouts: Having Fun With A Purpose!"
Looking Ahead
Mark your calendars now. The 29th Northeast Region Bridge of Honor and Sea Scout Ball will be held on
Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Select, Bridgeport, New Jersey.
Thanks also for the photos provided by Noel Guzman, Ship 441-NY and Bill Nelson, Ship 1115-VA.
And for those who asked, the hand-sewn banner behind the speaker’s podium this year was lovingly crafted by
octogenarian Ginny Pampellone and donated for our use by Jan Rose, Ship 460-NY.
Deidre Buchner
RBOH Committee Chair
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Beth Parks
RBOH Registrar
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WEAR IT! Always wear your life jacket!
The 2010 Safe Boating Campaign has begun. Check out their website
at http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/
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Delivered March 3, 2010
Washington DC
Sea Scout National Boatswain Connor Rieve outside the U.S. Capitol
Getting to know the other scouts present.
Paying respects at the Vietnam War Memorial.
The National Mall
Looking towards the future after the horrific events of 9/11/2001 outside the
Pentagon Memorial.
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Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
National Boatswain and the Secretary of Defense
Chief Scout Executive Robert J. Mazzuca
Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
with the delegation.
The delegation delivers the Report to the Nation to President Abraham
Lincoln and to President and Mrs. Barack Obama (at Madame Tussauds
Wax Museum in DC)
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Meeting Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Special 100th BSA Anniversary Commemorative Award presented to the Clerk
of the U.S. House of Representatives Lorraine C. Miller
The Boy Scouts of America's Annual Report to the Nation highlights the achievements of the BSA's values-based
program. Each year a select group of Scouts is invited to give the Report to the Nation to the US Congress. This year,
eight scouts from all different parts of the country came together to be a part of this historical event. The Scouts who
were picked embodied the spirit and values that Americans have come to associate with Scouting. The delegation
represented over 3.8 million members of the Boy Scouts, Order of the Arrow, Venturing, Sea Scouts, Webelos, and Cub
Scouts. This year, I had the honor of representing Sea Scouts as the National Boatswain.
While we were in D.C., we had the opportunity to visit many different sites. On Saturday, we went to the Goddard Space
Center. We were able to tour the facility and saw how they tested satellite parts. We attended Sunday Worship Services
at the National Cathedral and continued our trip at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. There we got a behind
the scenes tour and saw the collection of birds, mammals, and mummies that the scientists were currently studying. In the
evening, we did a walking tour of the National Mall and visited the Vietnam Wall, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials,
and other well-known D.C. monuments.
Day three was one of the most honor-filled days of the trip. We started at Arlington National Cemetery where we laid a
wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Shortly after, we traveled to the Pentagon and had lunch with Lt. General
Austin who shared his story with us. We visited with General Casey, who is the Joint Chief of Staff of the Army. We
also met with Admiral Mullen, who is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I then had the honor of presenting the
BSA Commemorative coin as a gift to the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, who is a Distinguished Eagle Scout. At
the end of the tour of the Pentagon, we took some time and paid our respects at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.
As day four started, we went to the Supreme Court and gave our report to William Sutter, Clerk of the Supreme Court.
After a small basketball game at the highest court of the land, we took a side trip to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. We
then went on a tour of the CIA Headquarters. This was a classified trip, which couldn‟t even be photographed. Everything
was kept in secret unless we wanted a job there. The last day we had breakfast at the Capital Building with the Secretaries
of the House and Senate. There we presented the official Report to the Nation. We then visited with the Senate Majority
and Minority Leaders and met with the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. The delegation split up and individually met
with our home State Senators.
This was a trip of a lifetime for me, and the 2009 Report to the Nation will go down in history in the Library of Congress.
The Delegation this year included: Morgan Johnson (Cub Scout), Edward Myers (Webelos), Colin Byers (Life Scout),
Anthony Thomas (Eagle Scout), Brad Lichota (Order of the Arrow), Sabrina Delgado (Venturer),Matthew McGroaty
(Venturing National President) and Connor Rieve (Sea Scout National Boatswain).
For more photos from the trip, check out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/boyscoutsofamerica/collections/72157623376237089/.
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NER Training Trifecta
Catoctin Report 2010
Submitted by Steve Nichols, Weekend Director
The sixteenth annual Sea Scout Winter Training Weekend was held at Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland in January.
We had 191 registered Sea Scouts and adults from 17 different Ships from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
and New York. The goal of the weekend was to teach as much of the Sea Scout rank requirements as possible that could
be taught in a classroom setting. The format was a series of one-hour sessions, eight on Saturday, and four on Sunday.
Each session had eight to ten classes to choose from. Instructions included drill, bos’n pipe, knot tying, piloting, engines,
weather, and safety. We also offered courses especially for the adults, including the Sea Scout Adult Basic Leader
Training. The courses were mostly taught by adults from the Ships in attendance.
The food was prepared by the youth under supervision of adults, and the highlight meal was Chili Mac on Saturday
night. Saturday evening was the time to relax by attending the dance, with music provided by Ship 25-PA, a movie, or
shooting hoops in the gym.
This was one of the coldest weekends in recent years, but we managed to dodge the major snow storms that came
before and after this weekend. A feature of the weekend is that we leave the camp as clean as we found it. This means
that on Sunday morning all hands are involved in mopping the floors, cleaning the 13 bathrooms, scrubbing the stove
grill, and stacking chairs to provide a clean camp for the next group.
Next year the camp will be closed in January for maintenance. The planning committee is currently exploring alternative
options. Mike Price of Ship 1942-VA, will take over as Director next year.
Here are some views from the Winter Training Weekend at Catoctin Mountain Park. The scenes show three different classes and the
serving line in the galley. The electricity instructor is Ken Merkle from Ship 1009-MD. The food servers are from Ship 7916- VA.
Photos courtesy James Klimek Ship 759-MD and Shay Seaborne Ship 7916-VA
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Presidents Day Report 2010
Submitted by Ann Newman
"No not more snow, leave me alone"
Even though Tess was on our side we had….
… two more feet of snow.
It was very “Ruff” decision but the 2010 Delaware Valley Flotilla’s Presidents’ Day Training Weekend was
cancelled this year.
We want to thank the Training Committee for planning a schedule of advanced learning, the wonderful and
patient Staff set to teach our youth, the galley Crew who had planned another great weekend of meals, and all
the Ships who registered for our event.
Please join us next year, Feb. 11, 12 and 13, 2011, for a great training weekend experience. Look for
information on the NERegion.seacout.org website. Event chair: John Grauvogel, doghousepa.comcast.net.
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SUNY Sea Scout Training Day 2010
Submitted by Deidre Buchner
A nor’easter could not dampen the spirits of the students at the annual Liberty Flotilla Sea Scout Training Day held on
March 13, 2010, at SUNY Maritime College, Fort Schuyler, New York. This great day of learning and networking saw 66
participants from 12 Ships from the Tri-State area.
We welcomed a crew of impressive instructors onboard including: Ray Drollinger, Rags Buchner, Dave Mosher and Will
Kommritz from our flotilla ranks; Joseph Possert, Al Wellander, Ann Wellander and Jim Pelligrino from the US Power
Squadron; and Brad Mayer and John Soldano from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. We had several new courses and some
returning favorites ranging from Coastal Piloting, Onboard Weather, Marine Radar, Anchoring, Hurricanes and Boats,
Advanced Sextants, Nav “Rules of the Road”, Risk Awareness and Pre Course Planning, Communications and VHF Radio
Etiquette, through the recently revised Sea Scout Adult Basic Leader Training. The sea scouts also had a chance to enjoy
a lunch buffet in the Cadet Hall Cafeteria, joined by several Northeast Region sea scouts currently enrolled as cadets at
the college!
At the end of the day, several youth stepped up and offered to lead classes the next year (and we took names) and all
agreed it was the best way to spend the day, even with the horrible weather and the rainy, windy commute. What’s a
little water to a hardy sea scout any way? Bravo Zulu to all who participated and helped us succeed!
Mark your calendars now for March 12, 2011, and we hope you can join us!
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Photos courtesy Allen Iott Ship 584-CT and Betsy Mandara Ship 26-NY
Jamboree City Rises Again
At dawn on Monday, July 26, 2010, dew on the empty fields shimmers in the growing
daylight. And then … here they come! By noon, throngs of Scouts are carrying gear and
tents, and gateways begin to emerge from the empty ground. By dusk, the landscape has
been transformed into a bustling city of 18,000 tents, 3,600 patrol kitchens and 43,000
Scouts and leaders. This transformation occurs in mere hours, making Jamboree City the
fastest growing city in Virginia, if not the world.
Amid the thousands of colorful tents that will house participants and provide program
and support services, there is an infrastructure that provides a safe and secure
environment at Fort A.P. Hill. Everything from bus systems, telephone and Internet,
to first-aid stations and a hospital, police and fire departments, post offices, food
warehouses, a daily newspaper, and retail stores (trading posts and concession stands)
provides all the support and program services needed for an outstanding event.
Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement, knew what success looked like and for the tenth anniversary
of Scouting, it was the sight of thousands of youth gathered together to celebrate. The jamboree was born! In his words,
“The secret of its growth lies in that indeterminate force which we only know as the „Scout Spirit‟.” . . . and grow it has!
Sea Scouts on Exhibit
The National Sea Scout committee has sponsored an exhibit in the Jamboree Midway since 1989 to spread the word about
our program to participants and visitors. We have averaged about 15,000 people at our booth each Jamboree. This year
our exhibit will on display every day of the Jamboree (until Tuesday, August 3). Alongside us will be booths from the US
Coast Guard, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadron, Army Corps of Engineers. National Parks Service,
High Adventure Camps, and many others. Watch for photographs and interviews from Ships who attend the 2010
National Jamboree in the Winter issue. If you would like more information on the event, check out their website at
http://www.bsajamboree.org/ For details on how you or your Ship can help with the 2010 Sea Scout Exhibit, contact
Ron Sunker at rsunker@tlcsys.com or via cell #713-829-4145.
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SEABADGE
For the Northeast Region, New York will be host the revised Seabadge course on
October 1-3, 2010. It will be held at the U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York, Fort
Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. The course fee is $160. By the way, it was 28 years
ago when the last Seabadge course was held in New York at Governors Island, then a
USCG facility. For the 2010 course, a special tour has been provided of the Sector
Command Center, which houses the NY Harbor Ship Entry and AIS center. For an
application follow the link http://neregion.seascout.org/SB-2-NY-2010_Course_Application_.pdf
For further information contact Course Director/Skipper Noel E. Guzman sss441Vigilant@nyc.rr.com
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SEABADGE - UNDERWAY
Advanced Course for Sea Scout Adult Leaders Conducted at Sea
The mission of this course is to provide basic training for Sea Scout adult leaders in teaching
and preparing their ship for the safe operation of a Sea Scout vessel underway in moderate
conditions. The adult unit leader (Skipper) may or may not be the vessel operator. Many
experienced small vessel skippers, including USCG licensed vessel operators, are untrained
in the proper methods of operating a Sea Scout unit on a vessel underway.
Upcoming Seabadge Underway Conferences
Northeast Region SBU-5-NY-10
Date: May 14-17, 2010
Location: Long Island Sound, Southport, CT
Vessel/type: SSTV Resolution (Hinckley 40
Bermuda yawl)
Cost: $150
Contact: Skipper Ray Drollinger, 516-732-3551
Northeast Region SBU-7-MD-10
Date: September 3-6, 2010
Location: Henderson's Wharf Marine, Baltimore,MD
Vessel/type: SSTV Der PeLiKan (44' Morgan ketch)
Cost: $150
Contact: Skipper Steve Nichols, 703-408-8247
Northeast Region SBU-6-NY-10
Date: October 15-18, 2010 **Changed**
Location: Long Island Sound, Southport,CT
Vessel/type: SSTV Resolution (Hinckley 40
Bermuda yawl)
Cost: $150
Contact: Skipper Ray Drollinger, 516-732-3551
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The William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup
returns to New London, Connecticut this Summer!
Sea Scouts from around the world will be heading August 1-7,
2010, to the United States Coast Guard Academy in scenic New
London, CT, the host for the Fifth Biennial William I. Koch
International Sea Scout Cup. Watch for a special edition of
The Telegraph that will include racer interviews, observer
comments, and photos. Additional updates can be found
on-line at https://seascoutcup.org.
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Just for fun . . .
The Dictionary Devil has disheveled the dictionary! Assemble and rearrange definitions to discover the missing word.
The object of Dictionary Devil is to correctly complete eight definitions and match them to their headwords. Try to do
them all without looking in your own dictionary! (Results will be published next issue.)
Courtesy of Merriam Webster - http://www.merriam-webster.com/game/index.htm
From the Staff of THE TELEGRAPH
Deidre Buchner
Bob Sirhal
Brian Gray
Ben Feril
Noel Guzman
Editor
Reg‟l Commodore
Reg‟l Staff Advisor
Vice Cmdre, Admin
Vice Cmdre, Trng
Contributing Journalists and Reporters
Staff Photographers
deidre.buchner@prudential.com
sirhal@aol.com
brian.gray@scouting.org
bengmferil@msn.com
SSS441Vigilant@nyc.rr.com
YOU – Ships of the Northeast Region
Member Ships of the NER Flotillas
Watch for our next issue: Summer 2010, Vol.14 No.3, to be released in the third quarter. This issue will be
dedicated to the Koch Cup. If you have any other submissions of newsworthy items, send them to the Editor
before August 1st. Thank you for your ongoing support of our great sea scout e-newsletter!
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