TABLE OF CONTENTS: Oscar Romano President Fort Lauderdale Council Navy League of the United States

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1 Vol.41 Issue 70 December 2015 President s Message The National Board of Directors meeting took place December 2-5 at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. The Council was represented by National Director Chuck Black, South Florida Area President, Lynn Drucker and Patricia DuMont. In conjunction with the meeting, the Navy League organized the biannual Capitol Hill Fly-in. This is an opportunity to bring forward to Members of Congress the mission of the Navy League informing Representatives and Senators of the need for a strong Sea Services. The team from Florida included Lynn Drucker, South Florida Area President, John Vargo, Florida Region President, Dave Sullivan, Florida Region Vice President for Legislative Affairs and Bill Waylett, Palm Beach Council. The Florida team met with eight members of congress or their staffers. We received a letter from our National President, Skip Witunski, with an update on the refinancing of the Navy League Headquarters building. The process was completed and Skip stated in his note that this will strengthen the operation and financial stability of the organization. We were pleased to be able to attend, with some of our members, lunch and dinner meetings for the other two Navy League Council in the area, Everglades and Broward, where we had the opportunity to exchange ideas and continue our common efforts in supporting the Sea Services. December has been a busy month so far. On December 4 th we co-hosted, with Broward Council and Broward Navy Days, the Annual Coast Guard Holiday party at Briny Pub. We also participated in two special events. The first was the Flight 19 Memorial Ceremony at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum to commemorate the anniversary of the disappearance of five TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, in a training mission, over the Bermuda Triangle on December 5, The second event was the Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance Ceremony on December 6 th at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale to honor the lives lost and the survivors of that tragic day. We hope to see all of our members and guests at our Holiday Dinner Meeting on December 16, Our guest speaker will be LT Mark Ketchum, USCG, Commanding Officer of Station Fort Lauderdale. Remember to bring an unwrapped toy for the traditional annual Toys for Tots hosted by the Marines. Beki Varicak, wife of Colonel Mike Varicak, guest speaker at our November Dinner Meeting, will bring copies of her book about the Toys for Tots program. The program has been running since 1947 to provide gifts for children who would otherwise not receive them. During the dinner meeting, our 2016 Slate of Officers will be elected and installed. I wish you all happiness during the holiday season and I hope for a peaceful Oscar Romano President Fort Lauderdale Council Navy League of the United States TABLE OF CONTENTS: Guest Speaker December Dinner Meeting Page 2 Birthdays Page 2 Seven Seas Gala Party at Blue Martini Page 3 Proposed Council Officers Page 3 USS Missouri Change of Command Page 4 November Dinner Meeting Page 5 News From USCG Cutter Richard Etheridge Page 6 Summary of National Directors Meeting Page 6 Seven Seas Gala Invitation Page 7 Seven Seas Gala Underwriting Page 8 View From the Bridge Page 9 Social Calendar Page 10 Community Affiliates Page 11

2 SPEAKER AT OUR DECEMBER 16TH DINNER MEETING LIEUTENANT MARK R. KETCHUM, USCG COMMANDING OFFICER, COAST GUARD STATION FORT LAUDERDALE Lieutenant Mark R. Ketchum, a native of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1998 and was first assigned to Station New Orleans, Louisiana. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, he deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, responsible for conducting port security operations. In 2003, he reported as the Executive Petty Officer at Station Grand Isle, Louisiana. Following this tour, he served at Sector Field Office Panama City, Florida, and participated in the Coast Guard s response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. In 2006, he transferred to the Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team in San Diego, California, where he executed multiple counterdrug deployments aboard U.S. and Allied naval assets and deployed to Umm Qasr, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lieutenant Ketchum received his commission in 2008 and reported to the Maritime Security Response Team, in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he oversaw advanced interdiction boat operations at the Coast Guard s high risk law enforcement and counterterrorism unit. Most recently, he was assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters, within the Office of Boat Forces, where he was responsible for managing boat acquisition programs and developing Deployable Specialized Forces capability. In 2014, Lieutenant Ketchum reported to his current assignment as Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lieutenant Ketchum is a graduate of Florida State University, earning Bachelor s and Master s degrees in Criminology. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal (three awards), the Army Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (three awards). He is married to the former Hayley Luker, of Mobile, Alabama, and they have two children, Madilyn and Luke. Navy League of the United States Fort Lauderdale Council December Birthdays Tabitha Brown 12/1 Norene Keyser 12/3 James McStravick 12/3 David Smith 12/5 Scott Mulvania 12/9 Curtis Simpson 12/10 Patricia DuMont 12/12 Chuck Black 12/14 Yaritza Rodriguez 12/15 Vanessa Grimmett 12/16 Dr. Jon Kotler 12/16 William Beller 12/20 Gil Swain 12/22 Ernie Gorwood 12/25 Jesse Vance 12/28 Jorge Ocon 12/29 Hank Pownall 12/30 Kemp Dowdy 12/31 NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 2

3 PROPOSED COUNCIL OFFICERS FOR 2016 To all members of the Fort Lauderdale Council of the Navy League of the US the following is the proposed slate of Council Officers for 2016 to be voted upon at the December 16th, 2015 meeting. Any group consisting of fifteen (15) or more voting members may nominate a candidate for any of the elective offices. President - Oscar Romano First Vice President - Abiud Montes Second Vice President - Alan M. Starr Third Vice President - Simone Ramos Secretary - Elaine Hogg Treasurer - Harvey Kovac Assistant Treasurer - Rosemarie Dezolt Judge Advocate General - Richard Chosid NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 3

4 COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEND CHANGE OF COMMAND ABOARD USS MISSOURI IN PEARL HARBOR, HI By Elaine Hogg On November 8 th, Council Secretary Elaine Hogg and her husband Bob made the arduous journey to Hawaii to attend the Change of Command ceremony for Elaine s good friend, Captain Beth Yeager Ahern, USN, aboard the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Captain Ahern earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of Illinois where she also received her commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science degree in Administration from Boston College as well as a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Captain Ahern has completed numerous active and reserve assignments including two overseas tours, the first with Multi National Forces Iraq in Baghdad supporting US Forces Iraq, Strategic Communications and Effects directorate; and the second with US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany serving as the Cyber Intelligence Division Chief, Joint Cyber Center. Captain Ahern s decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Joint Service Commendation Medal (second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards. Captain Ahern is employed by MITRE as a Program Manager for C3 Cyber and Business Systems supporting the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She was surrounded by family and friends at the ceremony including her parents and her two brothers. She resides near Boston, MA with her husband Brian and their two sons, Patrick and Christopher. Bob and Elaine Hogg, Bob and Christy Baldwin, Beth s parents Bill and Suzanne Yeager, Blair, Ashley, and Tiffany Yeager, CAPT Beth Ahern and her husband Brian, Haley and Brant Yeager Incoming Commanding Officer Captain Beth Ahern, USN, and outgoing Commanding Officer Captain Theresa Geier-Rodriguez, USN, surrounded by members of NR NIOC Hawaii / NR NIOC NSF NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 4

5 NOvEMBER 16TH DINNER MEETING By Lynn Drucker Colonel Michael Varicak, USMC, Chief, Current Operations (J-33), US Southern Command, was our guest speaker at the Council s November 16 th Dinner Meeting. He was accompanied by his lovely wife Beki. Colonel Varicak has the responsibility for leadership oversight of all Department of Defense operations by eight primary subordinate commands across 31 countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America. He gave an excellent presentation about the current status of the Marines in the Southcom area of responsibility. The areas of focus in this theatre include counterinsurgency, narco-terrorism, piracy and humanitarian/disaster relief. Colonel Varicak s wife, Beki, told us about how she came to write a book about Marines and the Toys for Tots Program. The book is illustrated by her daughter. Colonel and Mrs. Varicak promised to return for our December Toys for Tots Dinner, and Beki will bring some of her books. Proceeds from the book sales go to support the Toys for Tots program. Spruance Division Chief Petty Officer Jacob Wallace was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Medal Youth Medal for outstanding Cadets. It was a very interesting evening, and we all learned a lot about Southcom and the Toys for Tots program. Jacob, Tanya & Doug Wallace Oscar Romano & Colonel Mike Varicak Doug & Tanya Wallace, Jacob Wallace, Jeff & Jenni Laubaugh, Jacob s Grandparents, Alan Starr Beki Varicak NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 5 Lynn Drucker, Oscar Romano, KayLynne Northcutt

6 NEwS FROM USCGC RICHARD ETHERIDGE Congratulations to RICHARD ETHERIDGE Operations Officer, Meredith Anderson for her promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade. A shipboard ceremony took place on Monday, 23 November. From l to r: Sector Miami Boatswain Arturo Howard, LTJG Meredith Anderson, Sector Miami Chief of Enforcement LCDR Eric Pare, and ETHERIDGE CO LT Jorell Webb SUMMARy OF NATIONAL DIRECTORS MEETING ON 3-5 DECEMBER FROM JOHN vargo, FLORIDA REGION PRESIDENT 1. The 2016 budget and finances were presented and approved. The financial situation is as strong as it has been in recent years, largely due to the hard work that went into refinancing the building. We now have some operating Capital to pay down the LOC and perhaps increase the staff to relieve them of the multi-tasking and long hours. They truly are a wonderful group who are totally dedicated to the Mission. The 2016 budget is a balanced budget. If executed, it will be the first balanced budget since The budget is built on reality and not optimistic projections but the one glaring feature is membership. We need to show growth. 2. The new Membership categories have been revised and now there are two categories for Individual members. There is an emembership for $25/year and regular membership for $55/year with savings for multi year applications. The major difference is whether the member desires a printed copy of Sea Power magazine. It will be available online for those who want to read it. I anticipate these membership categories to be available in February. We need to push membership for 2016 and I would love to head into the National Convention with positive results and actual metrics. 3. The Capital Hill fly in was very, very successful. Sitting with the Congress and staff was such a wonderful experience and I highly recommend more participation from Florida ND s in future years. Dave Sullivan did a great job coordinating with the National Staff to ensure we were very efficient and we ended up meeting 8 different Congressional staffs during the day. One takeaway I observed was that the members of Congress and staff WANT to be involved with the local Councils so I encourage you to reach out to the staff and coordinate events with their visits to Florida. Every single member wanted to be invited to events when they are present in Florida. 4. The Annual report will be online this year. The beta testing is wrapping up and will be available for online entry making it much easier in future years. The data will be collected and inserted in the new database which can be used for other items. I encourage everyone to start getting a committee together to tackle this report sooner rather than later. 5. The 2016 National Convention is in June in Charleston. I highly encourage everyone, and members of each Council to attend. The 2017 Convention will be held in Milwaukee and 2018 is in Portland. John Vargo Florida Region President NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 6

7 Online payment at: NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 7

8 30 January 2016 NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 8

9 view from the Bridge November 2015 The Cadets of the Spruance Division and Radford Training ship had an exceptional month. We began the month with a trip to The Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, for the Annual Seal Muster. We chartered two busses, packed a box lunch for all hands, and had an incredible day, where the Cadets participated in the activities, and met with Active and Retired Navy SEALS. Flagship Training was held at the Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale. The Cadets practiced knot tying, marksmanship, fire fighting, stretcher bearing, and line heaving. Lunch was prepared by Staff and Parents. The Veterans Day Holiday was filled with events. The Cadets presented Colors at the meeting of the Grand Lodge, at the Masonic Hall., with LTJG Nelson Rose, the Grand Master. LCDR Starr attended Shabbat Friday night Services at Temple Bat Yam, in Fort Lauderdale, and was the guest Speaker. On Tuesday evening of Veterans Day, the Color Guard presented Colors for the start of a 5K Veterans Day Race, on Hollywood Beach. The whole Unit turned out for the Veterans Day morning Ceremony in the City of Sunrise. LCDR Starr was honored to be the Guest Speaker. Our Color Guard also presented at the Texas Roadhouse, in Mirimar. The restaurant held a Fund Raiser where 10% of the dinner proceeds were donated to our Unit. LCDR Starr and Marine Colonel Mike Varicak Chief of Staff for Brigadier General Eric Smith USMC, Marine Forces South, presented the Navy League Teddy Roosevelt Medal to Cadet CPO Jacob Wallace at the monthly Fort Lauderdale Council Navy League Dinner, for Superior Performances of Duty as the Unit Leading Petty Officer. The Cadets had an outstanding tour of Port Everglades, set up by one of our newest Staff, CDR Todd Cooper USNR, a Port Everglades Harbor Pilot. We toured the Harbor Master s office that controls all Cruise Ship and Merchant shipping into the Port. We had a tour of one of the Harbor Tugs, and were treated to an outstanding luncheon on board the Holland American Line Cruise Ship Westerdam. The Color Guard also presented Colors at the graduation Ceremony for the United Chaplains of America, at Jacaranda Country Club. We ended the month with discussion on Thanksgiving, and each Cadet was tasked with helping out at home, and to speak about what they were thankful for in life. Respectfully submitted: LCDR Alan M. Starr, NSCC Commanding Officer NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 9

10 Navy League of the United States Fort Lauderdale Council Social Calendar Wednesday, December 16th, 6pm-Holiday Dinner Meeting, CRYC Speaker: LT Mark Ketchum, USCG, CO, Station Fort Lauderdale Wednesday, January 20th, 5-8 pm, Gala Underwriting Cocktail Party at Blue Martini Lounge, Galleria Mall, Fort Lauderdale Saturday, January 30th, 7pm, Seven Seas Gala, Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Superintendant, United States Naval Academy Sunday, February 7th, 11:30 am, Day at the Races, Gulfstream Park Wednesday, February 17th, 6pm, Dinner Meeting, CRYC Wednesday, March 16th, Dinner Meeting, CRYC Wednesday, April 20th, 6pm, Dinner Meeting, CRYC May 2 9, Fleet Week Port Everglades Thursday, May 5th, 6pm, Sea Services Enlisted Person of the Year Awards Banquet, Margaritaville Resort, Hollywood Beach Wednesday, May 18, 6pm, Dinner Meeting, CRYC Saturday, June 4th, 4pm, Sea Cadet Awards Banquet, Tropical Acres Restaurant Revised 9 December 2015 NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 10

11 Fort Lauderdale Council 2015 OFFICERS President: Oscar Romano 2nd Vice President: Abiud Montes 3rd Vice President: Simone Ramos Secretary: Elaine M. Hogg Treasurer: Harvey Kovac Asst. Treasurer: Rosemarie Dezolt Judge Advocate: Richard Chosid EDITORIAL STAFF Lynn Drucker: Editor Chuck Black Jim Black Elaine Hogg Elaine Nasta Rudy Oetting Oscar Romano H H H H H H H H H H H H H BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING wednesday, January 6, 2015 at 3:30 PM SEA CADET HEADQUARTERS Located at: 300 S.W. 25th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL H H H H H H H H H H H H H HOLIDAy DINNER MEETING wednesday, December 16th, 2015 Coral Ridge yacht Club 6-7PM Cocktails 7-9 PM Dinner Toys for Tots LIEUTENANT MARK R. KETCHUM, USCG Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale RSvP Required! Call no later than noon, Monday prior to the meeting. visit us on the web at FORT LAUDERDALE COUNCIL COMMUNITy AFFILIATES