this File - Friends of the Navy

Navy League of the United States
Metropolitan Detroit Council
May 2014
Volume 21
Dawn Novak, Editor
Navy League
Of the United States
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT . . .
METROPOLITAN DETROIT COUNCIL
Inside this Issue
1
Letter from Our President
John G. McCandless
2
Announcement of METDET
Interim Board of Directors
3
USS Detroit Blue & Gold
Committee
4
Battle of Atlantic Dinner Update
5
METDET hosts CDR Wohnhaas
6-8
Photo Album of CDR Wohnhaas
visit to the DAC and Comerica
Park
9
METDET Did You Know?
10
Memo from Membership Council
11
METDET Membership Drive
Contest
12
Sample Letter to Join METDET
13
From the Vice President Youth Programs
14
2014 METDET Officers and
Board of Directors
15
A Letter from our President…
Shipmates, first and foremost, it is my distinct pleasure to salute the outstanding
leadership that Kevin MacFarland has provided us since he was elected President
of the Metropolitan Detroit Council, Navy League of the United States. As you
know, Kevin and Lois are relocating to their new home in Tampa, Florida upon
Kevin’s retirement from a distinguished career at Ford Motor Company. Although
he tendered his resignation as Council President, he (and Lois) will continue to be
members of our Council. At our April 21 board meeting, I was appointed to fill his
post until our annual elections in October.
During Kevin’s tenure, our membership has grown by leaps and bounds. More
importantly, the activities undertaken by the “MET DET” have made many, many
members of our community aware of the importance of the men and women of
Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. Our involvement in key
projects, including our support of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, the Detroit
ceremonies supporting the commemoration of the War of 1812 and USS DETROIT
(LCS 7), as well as our many dialogues with our local, state and national political
leaders, have reestablished us as a key component of the Navy League of the
United States. Bravo Zulu to Kevin and Lois for their many accomplishments. As
parents of five members of our United States Armed Forces, along with their
dedication to our Council, they are to be saluted by all.
Congratulations to you both. Your continued membership in the MET DET will help
us keep the course you plotted for us to support the Sea Services of the United
States. It is my honor to take the helm!
John G. McCandless
Captain, USN ( Ret)
President, Metropolitan Detroit Council, NLUS
Chairman, USS DETROIT (LCS 7) Blue & Gold Committee
Join us on 19 MAY 2014 at 1830 (6:30 pm)
For the next METDET meeting!
VFW Shafer-Rachelle-Latham - Post 6782
17645 E. Nine Mile Road
Eastpointe, MI 48021
Calendar of Events
1
CAPT John G. McCandless, USN, (Ret)
President, Metropolitan Detroit Council
945 N Renaud Rd
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
j.mccandless@comcast.net (313) 956-3667
4-21-14
As the Chairman of the METDET Nominations Committee, I announce that the METDET Board of Directors, on April 21, 2014, has
appointed, as a result of resignations, and according to the By Laws, the following to Interim positions for the remainder
of 2014.
President:
John McCandless, CAPT, USN, (Ret.)
Secretary:
Thomas Cieslinski
Respectfully,
Jerry Moskwa
Gerald S. Moskwa, National Director
Navy League of the United States
Executive Vice-President
Metropolitan Detroit Council
39729 Salvatore Dr. Sterling Hts. MI 48313
586-436-1937 gmoskwa826@gmail.com <mailto:gmoskwa8260@wowway.com>
2014 METDET OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 4-21/12-31-14
President
Executive Vice-President
Vice President, Naval Affairs
Vice President, Youth Programs
Treasurer
Secretary
Judge Advocate
Public Affairs
Budget
Adopt-A-Ship
Historian
Parliamentarian
Retention
CAPT John G. McCandless, USN (Ret)
Jerry Moskwa, National Director
Mark Petroff
LTJG Jerry Van de Vyver, USNSCC
Mitch Dangremond
Tom Cieslinski
CAPT Doug McDonald, USN (Ret)
CAPT John McCandless, USN (Ret)
Joe Wortman
CAPT Gary Golomb, USN (Ret)
John Peracchio, Esq.
CDR Jim Semerad, USN (Ret)
YN1 Richard Tschirhart, USN (Ret)
Board Emeritus
ADM Lee Landes, USN (Ret)
2
SINCE MARCH OF 2012 THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT COUNCIL, NLUS, HAS 90 NEW MEMBERS and 47 TRANSFERRED MEMBERS
CAPT John G. McCandless, USN (Ret)
President, Metropolitan Detroit Council
945 N Renaud Rd.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
j.mccandless@comcast.net (313) 956-3667
USS DETROIT (LCS 7) BLUE AND GOLD COMMITTEE
METROPOLITAN DETROIT COUNCIL, NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES
The USS Detroit (LCS-7) Blue and Gold Committee is dedicated to supporting the crew members and
their families during the life of the ship, starting with her Christening and Launching in 2014, and her
Commissioning in 2016. Upon joining the fleet, she will become an Adopted ship of the Metropolitan
Detroit Council, NLUS. Our Council will provide financial resources to support the Morale, Welfare, and
Recreation Fund (MWR) of the ship to enhance the quality of life for crew members and their families.
BARBARA LEVIN, SHIP SPONSOR
METROPOLITAN DETROIT COUNCIL MEMBER
JAY FARNER, HONORARY CHAIRMAN
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, QUICKEN LOANS
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, 2014
CAPT John McCandless, USN (RET)
John Peracchio, ESQ
Gerald S. Moskwa, IC2 USN '55-'58
Mark Petroff, US Naval Academy
CAPT Gary Golomb, USN (RET)
CDR Jim Semerad, USN (RET)
LCDR Kevin D. MacFarland, USNSCC
CAPT Bill Gripman, USN (RET)
CAPT Gordon Cole USN (RET)
CAPT Elizabeth Jones, USN (RET)
BMCS Doug Waite, USN (RET)
BMCS Donald R. Gore, USN (RET)
John Jamaian, Exec Dir, Port Authority
Chris Thomas, Fontinalis Partner
COL Tom Lytle, USMC (Ret)
Committee Chair, Council President
Committee Vice Chair, Council Historian
National Director, Executive Vice President
Council Vice President, Military Affairs
Council Adopt a Ship Chairman
Council Parliamentarian
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
1. j.mccandless@comcast.net
2. jperacchio@pandcllc.com
3. gmoskwa826@gmail.com
4. mpetroff@marketingassociates.com
5. gary.golomb@harman.com
6. jimsemerad@cs.com
7. kevinmacsr@gmail.com
8. wsgripman@wowway.com
9. GCole@p2rassociates.com
10. eajones@nsf.org
11. douglas.waite@gm.com
12. Donald.r.gore@gm.com
13. jamian@portdetroit.com
14. chris.thomas@fontinalis.com
15. tmlytle@comcast.net
SINCE MARCH OF 2012,THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT COUNCIL, NLUS, HAS 90 NEW MEMBERS and 47 TRANSFERRED MEMBERS
USS Detroit (LCS 7) Blue and Gold Committee: www.ussdetroit.blogspot.com
3
John Peracchio hosted 12 Metro Detroit Council members on May 7 at the annual
Battle of the Atlantic Dinner at the HMCS Hunter in downtown Windsor. The dinner
honors all HMCS ships lost in the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII.
Council president John McCandless presented CDR Dan Manu-Popa, Commanding
Officer, HMCS Hunter, with a Navy League proclamation on this year's historic dinner,
with was also signed by NLUS National President James H. Offutt.
A new HMCS Hunter will be opened later this year on the Windsor waterfront.
METDET Navy League members pose with a Canadian WWII veteran honored at the Battle of the Atlantic dinner.
4
MET DET HOSTS CDR WOHNHAAS
CDR Michael Wohnhaas, USN, PCO, USS DETROIT (LCS 7) returned to Detroit on 18-19 April
for his second visit to our city. Arriving from Newport, Rhode Island on Friday evening, following
the completion of LCS schools there, he overnighted at the Detroit Athletic Club for a full day of
activities on Saturday.
He was interviewed live on WDIV-TV at 6:40 a.m. by weekend anchorwoman Lauren Sanders. At
7:05 a.m., he was interviewed by Warren Pierce, on WJR’s Warren Pierce Show. At 10 a.m., he
met with over 75 METDET members and special guests at our Welcome Aboard Brunch at the
DAC.
The Welcome Aboard Brunch was simply outstanding. We hosted a number of active duty Navy
men and women, veterans, including Tyrone Chatman, executive director, Michigan Veterans
Foundation and local officials, including State Senator Patrick Colbeck. CDR Wohnhaas updated
us on the status of the ship and took questions from the assembled guests. Special thanks to all
who helped organize the event, including our newest member Ms. Donna-Grace Schwenter.
Following brunch, CDR Wohnhaas, John McCandless and Doug Waite proceeded to Comerica
Park for pre-game activities on the field. Many of our guests who attended the brunch also
attended the Tiger game, as the ball club donated 125 tickets in support of our Sea Cadet and
other Navy League programs. The METDET Sea Cadet Color Guard, who presented colors at
our brunch, proceeded to Comerica Park to present colors from mid-field. MA2 Steve Miller, from
our Lansing Naval Recruiting office, sang the National Anthem. Following this, CDR Wohnhaas
and Detroit Tiger Manager Brad Ausmus presented the official line-up to the umpires at home
plate, following CDR Wohnhaas’ introduction to the crowd.
Although CDR Wohnhaas had to depart Comerica at 3 p.m. in order to catch his flight to his home
in San Diego, he was able to watch the game from the Mayor’s box, as John Jamian had arranged
for 5 tickets to the box. John is executive director, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority and a key
member of our USS DETROIT (LCS 7) BLUE & GOLD COMMITTEE.
Mark your calendar for the USS DETROIT’s launching and christening this fall. The date is not set
yet, but it be on a Saturday, most likely in September. The Blue & Gold Committee is working on
plans for this event in Marinette, Wis. If enough members attend, a charted bus trip will be
arranged. Stay tuned.
5
PHOTO ALBUM OF CDR WOHNHAAS’ VISIT
TO DAC AND COMERICA BALL PARK
METDET Naval Sea Cadet Color Guard
National Anthem sung by LTjg Jerry Van de Vyver,
USNSCC and Ms. Jeannine Leslie of Delta Air Lines.
CDR Michael Wohnhaas, USN, PCO, USS DETROIT
addresses Met Det Navy League members and
guests at DAC brunch.
MET DET President John McCandless presented
CDR Wohnhaas with a USS Detroit coffee cup
created for the Welcome Aboard brunch.
6
CDR Wohnhaas and John McCandless chat with Detroit
Tiger Bench Coach Gene Lamont.
CDR Wohnhaas and John
McCandless on the field at
Comerica Park for pre-game
activities.
MA2 Steven Miller, assigned to the Naval Recruiting office
in Lansing, sung the National Anthem, while the METDET
Sea Cadet Color Guard presented the colors in mid-field.
CDR Wohnhaas is introduced to the Tiger
crowd.
7
CDR Wohnhaas on the scoreboard!
CDR Wohnhaas and Tiger Manager
Brad Ausmus present the official lineup to the
empires.
8
METDET MEMBERS
DID YOU KNOW…
The MetDet Council meets monthly (typically the third Monday of every
month) and welcomes ALL members to join us. Not sure where to find
us? The MetDet Council meets at:
VFW Shafer-Rachelle-Latham Post 6782
17645 E. Nine Mile Road
Eastpointe, MI 48021
The VFW Shafer-Rachelle-Latham Post 6782 is located one mile west of
I-94 off Exit 227. Please park in the rear of the building and enter the
clubroom door (For VFW Members and Guests Only) and ring the
doorbell.
The VFW Clubroom is also the MetDet’s Clubroom…not just on meeting
nights but ALL the time. If you’re a veteran of NLUS member, all you
have to do is show your NLUS membership card. You have full clubroom
privileges, including bringing an unlimited number of guests with you!
So come early and grab a bite to eat, something to drink and enjoy the
cozy atmosphere in one of the area's nicest private clubrooms.
SEE WHAT YOUR
COUNCIL IS DOING!
9
Honor Roll of Recruiters
In the 2014 METDET MEMBERSHIP CONTEST, John McCandless, has taken a commanding lead over all
members in the Council. Please know that there are still 8 months left in the contest, so ask a friend to
join the Navy League today!
Sponsors who recruited new members January 2014 through April 2014 are:
Will Kuypers
John McCandless
John Peracchio
Jerry Van de Vyver
No Sponsor
Total
2
4
1
2
1
10 New Members
SINCE MARCH OF 2012, THE METROPOLITAN DETROIT COUNCIL, NLUS, HAS 90 NEW MEMBERS AND 47
TRANSFERRED MEMBERS.
Al Brata
1
Will Kuypers
32
John McCandless
8
Doug McDonald
1
Kevin MacFarland
20
Jerry Moskwa
7
John Peracchio
2
Michael Ryan
2
James Semerad
1
Richard Tschirhart
2
Jerry Van de Vyver
9
No Sponsor
5
Total
90 New Members
Recruiting is best by word-of-mouth. Ask your clients, their families and relatives to join the
Navy League.
Ask a friend to join the Navy League today!
10
METDET MEMBERS
JOIN US IN A
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE CONTEST
2014 METDET MEMBERSHIP CONTEST
The rules are simple:
1. You must be a Navy League member of MetDet Council to win prizes.
2. The contest period is from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
3. The members who sign-up the most new members during the contest period
from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 will receive cash prizes for first,
second and third place winners.
4. The three cash prizes are:
1st Prize $100
2nd Prize $ 50
3rd Prize $ 25
If you know of someone who is interested in joining and they would like more
information please let us know. We will be more than happy to assist you in your
recruiting efforts.
Ask a friend to join the Navy League today!
11
AS PART OF THE 2014 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, THIS LETTER WILL BE MAILED
TO MEMBERS OF CIVIC, COMMUNITY AND VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS.
THERE WILL BE 2 ENCLOSURES:
1. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION, NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES
2. DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB (DAC) USS DETROIT (LCS-7) ARTICLE
Mr. John Doe
123 ABC Street
Anytown, MI 48123
01 February, 2014
Dear Friend,
This letter is an invitation to join the Navy League of the United States.
The Navy League is an organization that supports the members of the sea services and their families. It is an
organization of civilians, men and women, whether they have served in uniform or not. Belonging to the
Navy League is another way to show support for the men and women of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast
Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.
The enclosed information explains the mission of the Navy League and how to become a member of the
METDET Council, NLUS.
If you decide to join please complete the application enclosed. If you would rather complete the membership
form electronically go to:www.navyleague.org/join. Please make sure you put Metropolitan Detroit as your
Council, me as your sponsor, and my membership number XXXXXXXX.
Sincerely,
INSERT YOUR SIGNATURE LINE
Navy League of the United States
Metropolitan Detroit Council
Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx
12
FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT - YOUTH PROGRAMS – JERRY VAN de Vyver
 Your METDET Color Guard has been a very busy group the past couple of months. It
was our honor to once again serve as the Honor Guard for the Amateur Athletic
Union (AAU) Michigan Regional Hockey Finals at the Farmington Hills Ice Arena in
March. In addition to presenting the colors prior to each of the two final games,
members of the Color Guard were asked to drop the ceremonial puck prior to the
game. This year's annual event benefited the Army National Guard Family Fund and
our cadets were privileged to have been a part of that fundraising effort.
 Our dear friends of the Louisa St. Clair Chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution also requested our services in presenting and posting the colors for their
annual DAR Awards Luncheon where cadets from the area JROTC, Civil Air Patrol and
U.S. Naval Sea Cadet units were presented with the first issue of the DAR's "NonROTC Youth Medal". Our own Petty Officer First Class Sarah Thompson of the
Tomcat Squadron not only was the first recipient, but also served on the METDET
Color Guard for the event. Other participants included cadets from the Great Lakes
Division and Chief Petty Officer Grant Ostby also of the Tomcats.
 Our most recent event which garnered much recognition was at the Detroit Athletic
Club for the Welcome Brunch for PCO Mike Wohnhaas. Not only was our Honor
Guard selected to present the colors at that event, we were also chosen to present
again on the field at Comerica Park for the pre-game ceremonies. Quite an honor nd
well deserved."
13
2014 METDET OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS













President
Executive Vice-President
Vice President, Naval Affairs
Vice President , Youth Programs
Treasurer
Secretary
Judge Advocate
Public Affairs
Budget
Adopt-A-Ship
Historian
Parliamentarian
Retention
 Board Emeritus
John McCandless, CAPT (ret)
Jerry Moskwa
Mark Petroff
Jerry Van de Vyver, NSCC
Mitch Dangremond
Tom Cieslinski
Doug McDonald, CAPT (ret)
John McCandless, CAPT (ret)
Joe Wortman
Gary Golomb, CAPT (ret)
John Peracchio, Esq.
Jim Semerad, CDR (ret)
Richard Tschirhart, USN (ret)
Lee Landes, ADM (ret)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE!
14
METROPOLITAN DETROIT COUNCIL CALENDAR 2014
MAY
MON 19 MAY
6:30 PM
METDET COUNCIL MEETING
VFW POST 6782
EASTPOINTE
NLUS NATIONAL CONVENTION
NO COUNCIL MEETING IN JUN
SHERATON HOTEL AND MARINA
SAN DIEGO, CA
6:30 PM
METDET COUNCIL MEETING
VFW POST 6782
EASTPOINTE
6:30 PM
METDET COUNCIL MEETING
BLUE ANGELS VISIT
VFW POST 6782
TBA
EASTPOINTE
DETROIT
SEPTEMBER
MON 15 SEP
6:30 PM
METDET COUNCIL MEETING
VFW POST 6782
EASTPOINTE
OCTOBER
SAT 11 OCT
MON 20 OCT
TBD
6:30 PM
NAVY BALL
METDET COUNCIL MEETING
ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS
TBD
VFW POST 6782
TBD
EASTPOINTE
NOVEMBER
MON 17 NOV
6:30 PM
METDET GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MTG VFW POST 6782
EASTPOINTE
DECEMBER
SAT 13 DEC
2:00 PM
NAVY/ARMY GAME PARTY
NO COUNCIL MEETING IN DEC
DETROIT
JUNE
24-29 JUN
JULY
MON 21 JUL
AUGUST
MON 18 AUG
30-31 AUG
HARD ROCK CAFÉ
ALL COUNCIL EVENTS AND MEETING DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED VIA EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS PRIOR TO EVENT
TENTATIVE FUTURE EVENTS – DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED
2014 (FALL)
2016
2015?
USS DETROIT (LCS-7) CHRISTENING
USS DETROIT (LCS-7) COMMISSIONING
USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN-78) COMMISSIONING
MARINETTE, WI
DETROIT?
VIRGINIA?
As with all Navy League Metropolitan Detroit events your full participation is being requested and encouraged. We ask that you make
arrangements ahead of time to attend the events and drills. Do your part in supporting our council by participating!
Thank you!
15