Pass The Word President`s Message

Navy League of the United States
Philadelphia Council
Pass The Word
Volume 8, Issue 2
July 2008
President's Message
Inside this issue:
Navy League Annual Dinner
3
Ship Visits
5
Coast Guard News
7
Youth Programs
9
Educators Seminar
9
Photos
10
Black & White
In an effort to reduce the
cost of printing, which is
significant, “Pass The Word”
is being printed in black &
white. A color version of
this newsletter, as well as
past issues, is available from
our website at www.
navyleaguephilly.org.
Dear Council Members and Friends,
The Philadelphia Council of the Navy League has been very busy since the
last Pass The Word, so let me brief you on what's happened since the last issue.
On January 31st our Council hosted an officer recruiting event with 32
Philadelphia High School Educators in attendance, and Navy Inspector
General Admiral Anthony Winns as the guest speaker (see page 9).
The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN67) arrived at its final mooring at the
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 22 March with Navy Leaguers on hand to
witness the event. The JFK was the Navy's last conventionally powered aircraft carrier. It was launched on 27 May 1967, commissioned on 7 Septe mber 1968 and decommissioned on 1 August, 2007 just about one year shy of
forty years of honorable service. BZ JFK! Welcome back to Philadelphia.
We presented the Philadelphia Council of the Navy League Sword to Midshipman First Class Kelly McKenna at commissioning ceremonies at Villanova University on 22 April. We also presented the Gerard M. Maurer Memorial Sword to Midshipman First Class Michelle Czarniak at commissio ning ceremonies at the University of Pennsylvania on 30 April. Those Swords
are given to graduating midshipmen who have demonstrated top performance in their NROTC Units. Bruce Hulick, COL, USMC(Ret.), made each
presentation, and I thank him for his assistance. In addition, we continued
the tradition of giving each graduating midshipman an edition of the Naval
Institute's book "Naval Ceremonies, Customs and Traditions."
Dave Armstrong and his Ships Committee have been and will continue to be
busy. I asked Jack Lieberman, CAPT, USN(Ret.), to lend a hand to the
Committee and he graciously agreed to do so. The USS Klakring (FFG42)
was in port from 15 May through 19 May. There was the usual and wellattended Happy Hour at Finnegan's Wake and on Friday of that week, the
Klakring hosted a reception aboard ship that was attended by 40 plus Navy
Leaguers, in spite of foul weather. Honorable Mention goes to Tony Basilio.
He answered an email SOS as king for someone to pick up reception supplies
in Pennsauken that the ship needed for the reception.
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Council Directors
Officers
President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Judge Advocate
Directors Emeritus
William Boyd
William Cowper
Anthony Murray
Frank Hess
William Kelly
Philip Katauskas
Skip Dittmann
Dorinda Liebert
Fran O’Brien
Mike DeLorey
Joseph Hare
Wallace Littlewood
Celeste Maschmeyer
Michael Seider
John Sweeney
Committee Chairs/Liaisons
Chaplain
Legislative Affairs
Marine Corps
Merchant Marine
Membership
Navy Recruiting
Newsletter
Public Affairs
Sea Cadets
Visiting Ships
USCG
Webmaster
Rev. John Spellman
Celeste Maschmeyer
Chris Baker
Charles Mardigian
Richard Kearney
JB Bowie
Stu Abramson
Terry Williamson
Ed Sobieray
Dave Armstrong
Richard Kearney
Stu Abramson
Advisory Board
James Ginty
Chairman
Corporate Sponsors
PECO, An Exelon Co.
Community Affiliates
Lockheed Martin – Moorestown
Lockheed Martin – King of Prussia
Boeing – V-22 Program
Sovereign Bank
AT&T
Pass the Word
February 2008
Volume 8, Number 2
Pass the Word is published quarterly by the Philadelphia
Council of the Navy League of the United States. Contri butions are welcome.
5344 Walden Way
Doylestown, PA 18902
President's Message - continued
Turns out he was heading back from the Jersey Shore and the
timing was perfect. He picked the supplies up at Party Rentals,
LTD, and delivered them to the Klakring. Party Rentals
generously let the ship use those supplies free of charge.
We made a generous contribution to the Klakring's MWR fund.
From 28 May through 3 June, the USS Taylor (FFG50) was in
port, and again a well-attended Happy Hour was had at Finnegan's Wake. The Skipper of the Taylor presented the Council
with a beautiful ship's plaque, and we made a generous contribution to the MWR fund. Rob Bender arranged for a contingent of
Taylor sailors to go to a NASCAR race in Dover, Delaware. And
Fran O'Brien and Rob arranged for a contingent of Taylor sailors to visit wounded veterans at the Philadelphia VA Hospital.
As this PTW goes to press, the USS Carney (DDG64) is slated to
be in port from 29 June through 6 July
I can't emphasize enough how much the visiting ships appreciate
the work of the Ships Committee and Navy Leaguers who support them during their visits. As I said in my remarks at the Annual Dinner on June 19th, the Ships Committee and the Navy
Leaguers who assist that Committee fill that important part of
our mission of directly supporting our visiting sailors, Marines
and Coast Guardsmen. Bravo Zulu to Dave, his Committee and
those of you who help him. Rob and Fran O’Brien have been
key supporters of Dave as has been Joe Stivala. And continued
thanks to Monica Santoro at Penn's Landing Corp. who works
closely with Dave and his Committee to make each visit meaningful and enjoyable for our surface warriors.
Our Annual Dinner was held at Drexelbrook on June 19th. I refer you to pages 3-4 of this issue for a full report and photos .
Many thanks go out to Rob Bender and his Annual Dinner Committee for making it a smashing success again this year. Special
thanks to Dindy Liebert, Fran O'Brien, Jill Lamorie and Stu
Abramson for their hard work on this event.
I regret that I must end this issue on a sad note. Bob Lebair, a
long-time Navy Leaguer, died on 20 June after a lengthy illness.
Also, J.J. Manion, Jr., the brother of our Navy League colleague,
Tom Manion, died suddenly on Saturday, 21 June. We send our
deepest condolences to the Lebair and Manion families, and the
Philadelphia Council is making contributions to the charities
designated by each family.
Very truly yours,
Phil Katauskas
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Annual Dinner
On June 19, 2008 at our3 Annual Navy League Dinner, the Philadelphia Council of the Navy
League honored Ralph W. Hooper with its annual Commodore John Barry Distinguished Cit izen Award (the 2007 recipient was the Honorable Donald C Winter, Secretary of the Navy)
Mr. Hooper has distinguished himself as a patriot whose unselfish use of his resources and executive skills have focused on giving
back to our nation and to our sea services.
He was born in Philadelphia and was
a member of the Naval Academy’s
graduating class of 1951. Upon
graduating as an engineer, he remained at the Academy for several
months as an instructor. After two
years with the Sixth Fleet, he served
in the Submarine Force before becoming an Anti-
(from left) Admiral Tom Lynch, former Superintendent
of the Naval Academy, Council President, Phil Katauskas
and Ralph Hooper.
Submarine Defense Force staff member, then Flag Lieutenant to its Commander.
In 2007, Ralph Hooper was honored as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval
Academy. A highly respected philanthropist who played a major role in the creation of the Naval
Academy Museum Ship Gallery, Mr. Hooper is also credited with establishing one of the finest
ship model displays in the world.
Additionally, Mr. Hooper was a driving force behind the building of the Naval Academy’s new
sports complex.
He is a generous contributor to Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum and he is a loyal
friend and supporter of the Philadelphia Navy League,
The Commodore Barry Distinguished Citizen Award is given to a non-active duty individual
whose character, distinguished military or civilian service and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities to which the Philadelphia Council of the Navy League strives.
In addition, our purpose is to identify to the public and our members the broad national signif icance of the Navy League as one of the nation’s cherished organizations.
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Annual Dinner (continued)
The recipient(s) will have:
• Demonstrated a strong interest in supporting the mission of the Navy League
• Provided a lifetime of service to the nation or armed forces
• Made significant and distinguished contributions to the nation through their public servic e.
This award is given annually at the Philadelphia Council’s Annual Navy League Dinner.
LTGEN Ronald S. Coleman, USMC, the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, WAS the featured speaker. General Coleman has local ties, having graduated from then
Cheyney state university in 1973. He and his wife were married in Philadelphia city hall, and he
said that he looks for every opportunity to get back to Philadelphia. he presented an update on
the state of the Marine Corps and provided insight on. The high morale and dedication of the marines with whom he serves.
General Coleman also awarded the
Navy League Youth Medal to 15
outstanding high school members
of junior Navy and Marine Corps
ROTC Cadets and Sea Cadets.
This year the medal was awarded in
honor of those who have given to
us “the last full measure of their devotion.” Assisting with the presentation were Colonel and Mrs. Thomas Manion, USMC (Ret), whose
son Travis Manion, USNA Class of
’04, was killed in Iraq in 2007. The
Manions were joined by Jessica
Byrd, local president of the
General Coleman holds the Council polo shirt given to him
by President Katauskas
Gold Star Wives, whose husband, LCPL Thomas Byrd, was killed in Iraq in 2004.
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Ship Visit - USS Klakring FFG 42
The Klakring tied up at Penns Landing in May for a port call to Philadelphia
Philadelphia Council Director Jack
Lieberman (Capt USNR-Ret) presents
the Klakring Skipper, CDR Ian Pollitt,
with a donation to the ship’s MWR
fund. The presentation took place on
board the ship at a reception for Navy
League members.
Page 5
Ship Visit - USS Taylor FFG 50
The Taylor arrives in Philadelphia for a port call in May. The Battleship New
Jersey is in the background on the left.
Council President Phil Katauskas
receives a ship’s plaque from Taylor
Commanding Officer CDR Kurush
Morris at a crew reception sponsored by our Council at Finnegan’s
Wake.
Page 6
Coast Guard News
Richard Kearney of our Council Coast Guard Support Committee presented a $100
Savings Bond to ET2 Christina Parsely. Parsley was named Sailor of the Quarter
aboard the Coast Guard Cutter WILLIAM TATE, home ported at Philadelphia Sector
Base. Executive Officer James Robson displays the award plaque, as Parsley holds the
certificate issued by LT Megan Cull, TATE Commander.
Captain David Scott, Commanding
Officer of Coast Guard Sector Philadelphia, displays a check from the
Philadelphia Council Navy League.
The check will support the Sector’s
Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Fund. The Sector is fast approaching
its 20th anniversary in Philadelphia.
A grand event is planned. Making
the presentation to Captain Scott are
Richard Kearney, Council Coast
Guard Representative, with Wally
Littlewood and David Armstrong of
the Council’s Ship Committee.
Photos by Joe Stivala
Page 7
Youth Programs
Recently the Philadelphia Council increased its support for high school youths by agreeing to
sponsor the Marine Corps Junior ROTC units at the Chester High School in Chester and at Sun
Valley High School in Aston. This brings a total of eight youth organizations sponsored by our
Council: four Sea Cadet units in the Philadelphia area, two Navy JROTC units at Ben Franklin
High School in Philadelphia and two at Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown. The difference between the JROTC and Sea Cadets is one of funding. The Navy and Marine Corps
JROTC units are fully funded and supported by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps with full
time paid instructors. The Sea Cadet program relies on the U.S. Navy League Councils and
adult volunteer instructors for support.
The Navy and Marine Corps JROTC units and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps programs foster the
Navy’s core values of Courage, Honor and Commitment. Cadets in each program look forward
to summer training events. Selected members of the JRTOC units will attend Leadership camp
at Norwich Academy. First year Sea Cadets will attend Recruit Training boot camp at Fort
Indiantown Gap or Fort Drum. Veteran Sea Cadets will enjoy advanced training involving
Medical, Police Science, Port Operations, Basic & Advanced SeaBee training and other challenging ventures.
Your Philadelphia Council of the Navy League takes pride in sponsoring these special youth
programs: Developing the youth of today to become tomorrow’s leaders.
(right) Colonel Thomas Manion, USMC (Ret), and Jessica Byrd, local president of the
Gold Star Wives, present Outstanding Youth awards to members of the Sea Cadets and
JROTC units at our Annual Dinner.
Page 8
Educator’s Seminar
Philadelphia Council Supports Recruiting
On January 31st our Council hosted an officer recruiting event at the Chart House in Philadelphia.
In attendance were 32 Philadelphia High School Educators, the U.S. Naval Academy’s Director
of Candidate Guidance, the Commander of Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia, NROTC recruiters and USMC Officer recruiters.
Our Special Guest and Speaker was VADM Anthony Winns.
Admiral Winns spoke about growing up in Jacksonville, finding his way to the Naval Academy and his career in the Navy.
Currently Admiral Winns serves as the Navy Inspector General.
If anyone knows of high school students who would make good officers, please let them know
about the following websites:
1. U.S. Naval Academy – www.usna.edu
2. U.S. Coast Guard Academy – www.cga.edu
3. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – www.usmma.edu
4. NROTC – www.nrotc.navy.mil
5. USMC – www.marines.com
Page 9
Photos
On Saturday, 23 March 2008, the USS John F
Kennedy (CVN 67) pulled into Philadelphia
where is was placed in the reserve fleet. Many
people were there to greet the ship including
former crewmembers and Navy Leaguers. For
an interesting video of the event, including
dock side interviews of former crew members,
go to: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/
news_update/16929046.html
Navy Leaguers Carol and Jack
Lieberman flank Admiral Mike
Mullen, Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Mullen
was honored by the Union League
of Philadelphia last May as its
Gold Medal recipient. Our Council sponsored a table at the event.
Page 10
Photos
Ralph Hooper is honored at our Annual Dinner at Drexelbrook with
the Commodore Barry Distinguished Citizen award. It was a
good way to also celebrate Mr.
Hooper’s 80th birthday.
Also at Drexelbrook, active duty members who served in Iraq and
Afghanistan were honored as the true heroes of our time.
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N A V Y L E A G U E O F T H E UN I T E D S T A T E S
PHILADELPHIA COUNCIL
PASS THE WORD
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Founded in 1902, with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy League is a civilian organization that educates citizens and elected officials about the value of the U.S. being a strong maritime nation, and provides support directly to naval and maritime families.
The Philadelphia Council of the Navy League, with almost 1,000 local members, is one of nearly 330 councils
worldwide. We support active duty military personnel through “adoption” of ships, installations and units,
commissioning ceremonies, awards and other recognition programs that build morale and support military
personnel. We present awards to active duty personnel for exceptional service, scholarships, as well as educational seminars for Navy League members and local citizens. Additionally, the Council welcomes ships upon
their visits to Philadelphia, helps military families adjust to new locations and offers many other forms of assistance.
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