January 20, Dear Fellow Navy Leaguers,

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1 Dear Fellow Navy Leaguers, January 20, 2011 Happy New Year to all has gotten off to a good start. Since the December 6, to all members, I visited the Annapolis, Maryland council for their December meeting, attended the Northern Virginia Council Christmas dinner, the National Capital Council board and dinner meeting, a reception by the Republic of China Embassy, a meeting and lunch with the Naval Historical Foundation leadership to explore partnering opportunities, the All Service Academy Military Ball in Colorado Springs, CO, the Advisory Group meeting in Norfolk for the War of 1812 Commemoration, a Steering Committee meeting, a New Year s reception at the Canadian Embassy, and a Special Topic Breakfast this week with Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathon Greenert, USN as our guest and speaker. We hold these special breakfasts periodically for our Corporate Sponsors. In January, we commenced our calls on Admirals and USMC General Officers to brief them on the Sea-Air-Space Exposition which is April this year. To date we have called on the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the Director of The Navy Staff, Deputy CNO for Integration of Capabilities and Resources, Chief of Naval Reserve, Director of the Marine Corps Staff, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, and the Commander of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab in Quantico. In my December 7, to members I listed the main events for the War of This has now been expanded to include major events in the summer of 2012 in San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle (Fleet Weeks, Sea Fare, Rose Festival). The Centennial of Naval Aviation has commenced for 2011 and there are numerous events scheduled around the country starting with the Centennial Kickoff Celebration and Aerial Review in San Diego 9-12 February, The Naval Aviation and War of 1812 events are great opportunities for Regions and Councils to partner with local Navy and civic organizations. We can get out our message to the public and our leaders, receive some good publicity, and sign up new members. Many of our councils and Sea Cadet units will be busy with events throughout 2011, 2012 and 2013 between Naval Aviation and the War of There is planning for ship visits and events in the Great Lakes with Milwaukee, Chicago, Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo and Canadian ports on the list. Details will be firming up this year. For Naval Aviation in 2011, there are many events with air shows and the Blue Angels. Similarly for 1812 there will be Blue Angels air shows as part of the events.

2 The list of activities for the three years is very large. The best way to get a handle on this locally is to start working the Navy web sites for schedules (which will change periodically) so that partnering activities can be planned locally. A few of the first events for Naval Aviation this year are NAS Meridian and Keesler air shows with the Blues March The Blues are also at NAF El Centro March 12. The Corpus Christi Salute is April 9 and 10 with the Blue Angels. Similarly, Dallas is April with the Blues. Along with air shows there are many Navy Weeks on the schedule with the first in Tampa January 22-29, and Austin for March Most of the Navy Weeks are held at the same time as ongoing major local events for the city. Check out the Navy Web Sites. Visit the Navy Office of Community Outreach site at to find schedules. Start with the Calendars for America, the Navco 2011 CFA Briefing, which will include the annual schedule for Naval Aviation, go to the Information Index to Air shows and that will get you to the Blue Angels schedule for both 2011 and Check the CoNA Calendar for America. Another source of information for 2011 Naval Aviation is See events for Beaufort, New Orleans, New River, DC, New York, Philadelphia, Rockford, Evansville, Davenport, St. Louis, Rhode Island, Rochester, Detroit, Oshkosh, Seattle, Fargo, Maine, Pax River, Omaha, Memphis, Oceana, San Diego, Lemoore, El Paso, Jacksonville and Pensacola. For the War of 1812 which runs through check the War of 1812.pdf on the Outreach web site. Please be planning local Council activities in coordination with Naval Aviation and War of 1812 events in your area. If you need resources or information/assistance, please contact me, or Kevin Traver and Sarah Greenert here in Navy League HQ. We will keep information flowing on the events since there will be changes as we go along. FROM THE FIELD Florida. The following two items were submitted by Bob Hein. Broward Council Navy League members recently attended the Dedication Ceremony of the Fisher House addition to the Miami VA Health Care System. This Fisher House will serve South Florida families whose retired or active duty service relatives need long term hospital care. The 20 room facility is the 47th of the Fisher Houses which serve as adjuncts to a VA or military hospital throughout the U. S. Fisher Houses have housed some 15,000 family members over the years free of charge. The $7,000,000 investment in Fisher House Miami was provided by the Fisher Foundation and the local community. The Broward Council is among those community members who gave financial support as well as gifts to enhance the visits of military families. The Council also arranged with a Marine Corps Expeditionary Force unit at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, to donate a U. S. flag flown over their base to be transferred to the New Fisher House where the flag now flies. Broward Council Board members Tom and Sandra Jones, Mary Anne Gray, Teresa Perez, Larry Ott and George Reeves attended the Dedication ceremony which included

3 County Commissioners, V.A. officials, the Fisher family, Brigadier General Juan Ayala, Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command, and Donna Shalala, President, University of Miami and former Secretary of Health and Human Services. USS Boone (FFG 28) dropped anchor at Port Everglades on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2010 for some relaxation and fun before commencing their deployment to the Caribbean and South America. The Broward County, FL Council of the Navy League immediately organized a welcoming party. There were representatives from all the Broward County Councils and Broward Navy Days to join in the festivities. The all hands party and buffet was held at Briny's Riverfront Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. The food was great, music and conversation enjoyable. An exchange of gifts of appreciation was held. It was a great opportunity to get to know our men in uniform who serve us so well all around the world. CENTRAL NEW JERSEY COUNCIL S ANGEL PROGRAM From Dan Dermer. The Angel Program has its roots in the early 1990's. At that time, Life Member Jack Leslie began purchasing individual gifts for the children of crew members aboard USCGC Katherine Walker. Since then, the responsibility passed to all council members and now includes more ships and stations. In the spirit of Jack Leslie, the Council s Angel Program started. The Angel Program seeks to place a toy and warm article of clothing in the hands of an enlisted person s child. These children are from all units and commands from U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York and Naval Weapons Station Earle. Any excess toys or clothing collected are donated to poor children. In 2010 the program collected, sorted, packed and delivered 1,684 gifts. Since 2003, the Angel Program has collected, sorted, packed and delivered almost 7,500 gifts. Since its inception the value of this program exceeds $250, and through Navy League donations and support, it is self sufficient financially. According to Dan, This year, Angel Program gifts were distributed to: Naval Weapons Station Earle; US Coast Guard Sector New York; US Coast Guard Stations Kings Point, New York and Sandy Hook; US Coast Guard Aids to Navigation New York and Saugerties; US Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team; US Coast Guard Cutters Morro Bay, Sailfish, Bainbridge Island, Hawser, Katherine Walker, Line, Penobscot Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Wire. Other needy or poor children in the area also received gifts. On December 18, 2010, Council President William Aitken along with members of the Council went onboard USCGC Penobscot Bay. While onboard the Central Jersey Council prepared a Brunch for the crew and their families. After the Brunch, Santa himself arrived and delivered many gifts to the crews children. These gifts were in addition to the Angel Program gifts and were purchased specifically by Central Jersey Council members. The other highlight of the day was the formal adoption of the Cutter by the Central Jersey Council. It is interesting to note that the Central Jersey Council has formally adopted or directly supports all the U.S. Coast Guard Cutters in New York Harbor. If you have any questions about the program, please call Dan Dermer at

4 From Patrick Pang, Liberty Region President. On Dec. 11th the former Commanding Officers of USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) joined together to host a celebratory brunch of over 125 attendees honoring the 25th anniversary of it s commissioning and for the Pittsburgh area Navy Leaguers and community leaders from whom they have received so much unselfish continuing support over 25 years. Navy Leaguers are well known for their generosity; but, never has an event been given FOR the Navy Leaguers BY their namesake ship. Five of the former CO s were present as was the ship s sponsor, Dr. Carol Sawyer, and former and current officers and crew. Guest speaker for the event was RADM Michael J. Connor, USN, Submarine Warfare Division, who served aboard USS Pittsburgh as a junior officer under the command of the first two Captains. Pittsburgh Council has good cause to be proud of their accomplishments and those of their namesake boat. Bravo Zulu Judy Halleran, Dick Kennedy, and Pittsburgh Council. Hawaii Navy League Honolulu Council held the 50th annual Sea Service Awards at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu Dec. 10. The ceremony honored Middle Pacific region service members from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for their performance. "Today we are recognizing highly qualified surface leaders, both enlisted and officer, for their overall outstanding performance, individual teamwork, excellence in leadership and community service," said Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. "Today we see you as good leaders. We expect your leadership skills to get better in the years to come. Tomorrow we will see you as great leaders." The Navy League awarded 37 service members from Middle Pacific region and one civilian worker from the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. "It's an opportunity for the Navy League, as well as the public, to thank the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel for a job well done," said Melvin Ing, president of the Navy League Honolulu Council. Florida. Coast Guard Holiday party held at Briney's Riverfront Restaurant It had been a cold and dreary week with the temperatures dropping into the 50s but when Friday, December 10, 2010 arrived it was a perfect day for a party with the temperatures in the 70s. Conditions couldn't have been better for the Annual Coast Guard Holiday party held at Briny's Riverfront Restaurant, 305 South Andrews Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL. Attending were Coast Guardsmen from USCGC Gannet, USCG Station Fort Lauderdale, USCG Aids to Navigation Team, USCG Air Station Miami. RADM Baumgartner, USCG, Commander of Coast Guard sector Miami came. The Broward County Council of the Navy League of the United States and Broward Navy Days were proud to sponsor the event for those who do so much for us. Many look upon the Coast Guard as Florida's Navy because when your boat is sinking; the Coast Guard is there. If there is a hurricane or other natural disaster; the Coast Guard is there. If illegal

5 immigrants try to invade our state; the Coast Guard is there. When drug cartels are trying to smuggle drugs; they are there. If buoys and channel markers need to be repaired it is the Coast Guard who is there. Florida needs the Coast Guard and that is why they are thought of as our navy. This affair was a small way for the Navy League to say thank you. Hawaii. Harold B. Estes, Celebrates 96th Birthday From David Livingston. Harold B. Estes, a much honored World War II veteran, Navy Leaguer and retired Navy Chief Boatswain s Mate, celebrated his 96th birthday on Monday, December 13, 2010 and was honored at a special luncheon hosted by the Mercury Business Association at The Pacific Club at 12:00pm. Harold is well known for being instrumental in bringing two of Pearl Harbor s main tourist attractions to Hawaii, the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. He joined the Navy in 1934 and retired in Harold has received numerous awards from the Secretary of the Navy for his service, including a 1981 Citation and 1988 Certificate of Award in Appreciation of Meritorious Public Service to the Department of the Navy. He is also a lively part of Hawaii s community being involved as an active member in various organizations, including the Mercury Business Association, the Navy League of the United States, the Rotary Club of Waikiki and Sales & Marketing Executives of Honolulu. Congratulations Harold. Santa Barbara Doug Crawford has agreed to be Special Assistant to the President for Business Development. Doug has volunteered to work to develop new innovative corporate and non-profit partnership programs to better service the mission and funding needs of the Navy League of the United States. Initial efforts will be focused on attracting corporate memberships from outside Navy League's traditional defense industry companies. As such he will work closely with Senior Director of Corporate Development and Marketing Kevin Traver and Vice President Phil Dunmire. Thailand In 2010, Navy League Thailand Eastern Seaboard Council was proud to host 24 ships for a total of 29 visits, while coordinating over 50 Community Relations projects to benefit US-Thai relations. The Council also helped these sailors and marines enjoy their liberty in Pattaya a little more by providing free SIM cards, receptions, and unique events like the Black Box cooking competition. Seeking to foster good will between the U.S. and Thailand, the Royal Thai Marine Corps received some financial support from the Navy League Council to conduct humanitarian operations for the troubled provinces in the south of Thailand. For 2011, the Council will partner with the Thai and international business community to increase membership, and they will take a more active role in sponsoring both U.S. and Thai ships and their crew. NLUS Development Update from Senior Director Kevin Traver

6 The President s Circle The Navy League is proud to continue honoring the level of commitment and service from our distinguished President s Circle members. Donations from this elite group support important Navy League initiatives and programs. Since the beginning of the year, we have more than doubled President s Circle membership from 42 to 86 and it continues to grow in 2011! We look forward to celebrating with old and new members both aboard the historic U.S.S. Sequoia, the Presidential Yacht, for an exclusive cruise on the Potomac during Sea Air Space. Please contact Kevin Traver or Mike Carter at NLUS headquarters if you are interested in joining the President s Circle. One benefit is regular invitations to Navy ship commissionings. As a reminder all of the Commodores are in the President s Circle Scholarship Applications Now Online The 2011 Navy League scholarship applications are now online and due by March 1st. One of the most rewarding opportunities to demonstrate your appreciation for the men and women of the American Sea Services is to support The Navy League Foundation s Scholarship Program. Thanks to the generosity of donors and members from around the world, the Navy League Foundation is able to provide financial assistance to the dependents and direct descendants of Sea Service personnel for college and university expenses. Four $10,000 scholarships are available this year. Please contact Mike Carter at NLUS headquarters if you need more information or wish to donate and support this effort. Planned Giving Providing for our families, loved ones, and favorite charitable organizations is a priority for all of us. The current financial turmoil and challenges make it even more important to make sound decisions on how best to accomplish these goals. One avenue you may wish to explore is Planned Giving, a set of philanthropic tools that can advance your personal financial objectives while also benefiting the future work of the Navy League. Planned gifts can be structured in a number of ways, from straightforward gifts in your will to approaches that provide you income and tax relief during your lifetime while empowering the Navy League for the future. And by involving your family in your gift decision process, you can pass on your philanthropic values to your children and grandchildren. Please contact Kevin Traver or Mike Carter at NLUS headquarters for more information if you are interested in supporting the Navy League in this manner. DSEi: The Navy League of the United States has partnered with Gold Member Clarion Events to participate at DSEi (Defence & Security Equipment International) in London, September Defense & Security Equipment International (DSEi) is the world s largest fully integrated defense and security exhibition. The 2011 show will feature a

7 dedicated Navy League of the United States Maritime Pavilion for U.S. Naval suppliers and manufacturers. Member companies which have participated in the Sea-Air-Space Exposition understand the benefits of showcasing their products and services. DSEi attracts the entire defense and security supply chain including 1300 prime contractors, integrators, manufacturers and suppliers and featured 405 naval focused exhibitors in GEICO: The Navy League of the United States welcomes GEICO as one of our newest Corporate Member as well as a partner in a new affinity program. Navy League members are now eligible for a special discount on insurance through GEICO. This program offers a new benefit to members as well as a way for the Navy League to earn royalties. Each time a member receives a quote, GEICO will pay Navy League ten dollars. With over 50,000 members, this program has the possibility to create significant financial returns which will benefit Navy League councils in return. I encourage you to go the and click on the GEICO link to receive your quote today. UPCOMING EVENTS Sea Air Space April Board of Directors June Chattanooga Convention October Honolulu Convention June in 2012 Long Beach Convention June 2013 San Diego Convention June 2014 Let s all be planning for the convention in Chattanooga. We plan to do some scaling back on the many meetings and will be having some entertainment and interesting speeches. There will be more free time planned for individual entertainment. Contact Andrea Manning for suggestions. Chattanooga is a great town and there is much to do in the area. It is excellent for Civil War buffs. Ship store: we have many items available with logos in our store so please take a look when you need Navy League items. This is a profit center for us. Thanks to all for making the Navy League so successful in all of our activities around the world. As we get into 2011, let s plan to push hard for membership since it has had a continuous ten year decline. You will soon receive the Special 2011 Membership Campaign by and we look forward to feedback and recommendations for how to make progress for this year and for the next five years in the membership area. Daniel B. Branch, Jr. National President

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