Distinguished Speaker Program

Transcription

1 The Official Newsletter of the Navy League of the United States Greater Austin Council July August 2011 Citizens in Support of the Sea Services COUNCIL OFFICERS Randy Patterson President Lee Hagan President-Elect Bruce Byron Vice President for Administration Stephen Smith Vice President for Business Partnerships Kathy Pillmore Vice President for Communications Tim Hunsberger Vice President for Education & Community Outreach LuAnn Reyes Treasurer &Vice President for Finance Jim Brotherton Vice President for Military Affairs Jeanie Coffey Vice President for Legislative Affairs Lee Hagan Vice President for Youth Programs Brian Colfack Secretary Kaye Johanson Assistant Secretary Tom Griffy Chaplain Michael Murray Judge Advocate General NATIONAL DIRECTORS Glenn Looney Max Miller Jack Ritter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Max Miller, Chairman Jim Brotherton Bruce Byron Jeanie Coffey Glenn Looney Jack Mayo Kathy Pillmore Jack Ritter Steve Smith Randy Patterson(Ex Officio) LIAISONS Brian Colfack Military Services Coalition Steve Smith Marine Corps Jack Ritter UT NROTC CAPT Daniel N. Dixon, USN CO UT NROTC CDR Chris White, USN CO Naval Operations Support Center Lee Hagan Navy & Marine Corps JROTC Jack Mayo Commissionings OUR NEXT Distinguished Speaker Program THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 IS ANYONE SECURE, AND ARE WE? An Update for 2011 ADM Bobby Inman and Congressman Michael T. McCaul Admiral Bobby Inman graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1950 and from the National War College in He became an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Austin in He was appointed as a tenured professor holding the Lyndon B. Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy in August Admiral Inman was the Interim Dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs once in 2005 and again in Admiral Inman served in the U.S. Navy from November 1951 to July 1982, when he retired Continued on page 3 Congressman Michael T. McCaul is currently serving his fourth term in the United States Congress representing Texas 10th Congressional District. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, he serves as Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, which has oversight of all Department of Homeland Security operations. McCaul is also a member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism. In addition he is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Continued on page 3 DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER PROGRAM Austin Woman s Club, Chateau Bellevue 8th and San Antonio (Parking entrance on Nueces between 7th & 8th Streets) Social 1815 Dinner 1915 Program 2015 Members & their Guests- $30 Military in Uniform & their Guests - $20 Cadets & Midshipmen and their Guests - $15 RESERVATIONS REQUIRED CALL OR luann@luannreyes.com PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE A $5 ADDITIONAL CHARGE WITHOUT A RESERVATION

2 President s Message Those of us who have been around a while have experienced periods of change in many ways some good, some bad, but nearly all surprising in varying degrees. When we have a few minutes of respite in an ever-accelerating life of change technically, socially, Randy Patterson President, Greater Austin Council financially and the like, we hardly ever accurately predict what comes next. We are forced to make do with whatever comes along, dealing with new challenges as best we can. Some of us have been more fortunate than others in accommodating new concepts, but nearly all of us have, I guess, wished for the electric typewriter (or a simple pencil) when everyone else is tweeting through life. As the new political races and financial stresses of many stripes rush in, we can perhaps be excused for the stop the world, I want to get off approach. The facts are, however, that we will be confronting a series of quite important changes in the near future. Changes in the leadership of the Defense Department, the JCS, and the Navy, along with possible (or likely) upheavals in the Congress, the Presidency and other important positions in the leadership of our nation and companion changes in the international arena. These may seem to be impossible to fathom, but we must deal with all (or many) of these without losing faith in the basic strengths of our country and our people. Reflect for a moment on the adaptations needed to bring Naval Aviation from the wire, wood and cloth experiments of 100 years ago to the sophisticated machines and pilots that are launched at amazing velocities off pitching decks to carry out modern air warfare. Added to these changes are those of the 110-year old submarine forces that moved from slow, unreliable and often self destructing weapons systems to the truly capable undersea platforms operated in today s Navy. Also, land warfare is now practiced by our Marines and Special Forces, with their GPS and instant, reliable communications enabling the application of overwhelming force unknown a few short decades back, while still relying on our personnel to assess and resolve the unexpected. We seem to be in for a worrisome period of stress and changes that will try the patience and ingenuity of most of us. However, we must try to remember past sailors, aviators and soldiers who faced what must have seemed like impossible challenges as they drew upon often hidden strengths to prevail. Our continued support of the Navy League and its purposes will be more important than ever as we work through these latest challenges - I hope you will continue your interest and support of the sea services in the months and years ahead. We are fortunate to have some very interesting programs to finish out the year for the Greater Austin Council. On September 1st ADM Bobby Inman, no stranger to most of us, will be joined by Texas Congressional Representative Mike McCaul to outline their views of terrorism in a presentation entitled Is Anyone Secure, and Are We? An Update for In October, to note the 236th birthday of the U. S. Navy, we will hear from the noted military historian and UT Professor, Dr. Tom Hatfield, and CDR Sly Steele, who is the current CO of the Aegis anti-ballistic missile destroyer USS STOUT (DDG 55). Both of these programs warrant your interest and attendance I hope to see all of you, with your guests and family members, at these events. Randy 2 The Anchor, July August

3 ADM Inman, continued from page 1 Congressman McCaul, continued from page 1 with the permanent rank of Admiral. While on active duty he served as Director of the National Security Agency and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence. After retirement from the Navy, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) in Austin, Texas for four years and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westmark Systems, Inc., a privately owned electronics industry holding company for three years. Admiral Inman also served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas from 1987 through Admiral Inman s primary activity since 1990 has been investing in start-up technology companies, where he is a Managing Partner of Gefinor Ventures and Limestone Ventures. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of several privately held companies. He serves as a Trustee of the American Assembly and the California Institute of Technology. He is a Director of the Public Agenda Foundation and is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Newsletter takes 1st Place Mackie Award Navy League U.S. announced August 1 that The Anchor, the official newsletter of the Navy League of the U. S. Greater Austin Council, will receive 1st place in this year s Donald M. Mackie Award competition for Best Medium Council Newsletter. The award will be presented at the Navy League National Convention in Chattanooga, TN this October. The editor wishes to thank all the contributors to each newsletter for making the award possible. CDR Henry K. Henley, USN Ret. Middle East Subcommittee; the Committee on Science, Space and Technology and the Ethics Committee. Additionally, McCaul is Vice Chair of Speaker John Boehner s Cybersecurity Task Force. Prior to coming to Congress, Michael McCaul served as Chief of Counter Terrorism and National Security in the U.S. Attorney s office in Texas, and led the Joint Terrorism Task Force charged with detecting, deterring and preventing terrorist activity. Congressman McCaul also served as Texas Deputy Attorney General under current U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and served as a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice s Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C. A fourth-generation Texan, Congressman McCaul earned a B.A. in Business and History from Trinity University and holds a J.D. from St. Mary s University School of Law. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Fellows Program of the School of Government, Harvard University. IS IT TIME TO RENEW YOUR NAVY LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP? Navy League doesn t want to lose you as a member. Check below and see if your name appears. It may be time to re-up. Member Expiration Date R. Miller Hicks /31/2011 Sylvester M. Shelton /30/2011 Ross Snyder /30/2011 Wesley A. Lokken /30/2011 Donald L. Jones /30/2011 Jimmy C. Durst /31/2011 John T. Engstrom /31/2011 Milton R. Felger /31/2011 Wayne D. Gusman /31/2011 Walter Hinkle /31/2011 Dean W. Nobles /31/2011 Sharon Kay Nobles /31/2011 J.W. Studak /31/2011 John W. Walters /31/2011 The Greater Austin Council has made a $100 donation to the George T. Jones Scholarship Fund in honor of the above individual BRING A FRIEND TO A GAC DINNER. The Anchor, July August

4 Snapshots from the June 16, 2011 Distinguished Speaker Program &Dinner Guest speaker Capt. Dan Dixon is presented with an Honorary Membership in the Greater Austin Council. Ingrid Roark receives a Certificate of Appreciation for her service to the Council. Capt. Dixon presented the Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal and Certificate to Capital Area Young Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Ryan McCloskey. Navy League Lone Star Region Past President Weldon Koenig (l) shares a story with Tom Griffey and new GAC member Dick Smith. (l-r) Dr. Rufus Mark, Dr. Hans Mark and Jack Ritter came to hear about the UT NROTC program. Capitol Area Young Marines were the Council s guest for the dinner. They also presented the colors for the meeting. Welcome GAC s Newest Members (l-r) Andrea Schneider, Pat Petersen (with Lee Hagan) and Ed Finnegan 4 The Anchor, July August

5 LONE STAR TASK FORCE TAKES DC BY STORM The Lone Star Region s Legislative Affairs Task Force comprised of Jack Ritter Lone Star Region VP, Max Miller Greater Austin Council Chairman of the Board, and Jeanie Coffey VP of Legislative Affairs for GAC travelled to Washington D.C. June 21-23, 2011 to take the Navy League s message to the Texas delegation. The purpose of the trip was to present Navy League Briefs One and Two to 10 Texas members of Congress. With these presentations, the task force wrapped up briefings for all 32 Texas members of Congress and both Texas senators. The task force also visited with the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Juan Garcia. Upon completion of the briefs, the Lone Star Region of Texas was recognized by NLUS President Dan Branch at the national Navy League meeting in DC in June as being the first region in the US to complete their assignment. President Branch in an message to Jack Ritter said, this is great news in completing these 32 briefs and a very important milestone. Thanks for the great work for the Navy League and the nation. We will spread the word that the Lone Star Region has set the bar for all the other regions. This is a really big deal. Brief #1 explains the history and purpose of the Navy League as a civilian organization that supports the sea services in funding and personnel. Brief #2 explains the need for additional funding for the Coast Guard with the many missions that they perform. The trip was very timely as it occurred the same the week as the appropriation mark-ups. The task force was well received and the Texas members of Congress were impressed that they came on their own dime to explain the mission of the Navy League and the need for funding to support the sea services. Jack, Max and Jeanie have enjoyed working as a team on legislative affairs since Contact with local congressmen by individuals at the grass roots level combined with the efforts of the Lone Star Task Force are making a difference. Jeanie Coffey, Vice President of Legislative Affairs Greater Austin Council Ritter, Coffey, District 27 Congressman Blake Farenthold, and Miller during the D.C. visit. District 1 Congressman Louie Gohmert poses with the Lone Star Legislative Affairs Task Force. Lone Star Region Legislative Affairs Task Force Max Miller, Jeanie Coffey and Jack Ritter are first to complete Navy League briefs with the entire Texas delegation. Task Force members met with District 7 Congressman John Culberson Miller, Coffey and Ritter met with District 17 Congressman Bill Flores District 2 Congressman Ted Poe received the Navy League briefs Max Miller and fellow task force members met with District 18 Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee The Task Force shown here with District 19 Congressman Randy Neugebauer The Anchor, July August

6 The Chaplain s Corner A s I write this message, during the second week of August, it seems as if the only news is bad news. July was the hottest month ever in Austin; we are in the middle of an historic drought; the credit rating of the US has been downgraded for the first time ever and 30 US servicemen, including 22 members of Seal Team Six, were killed in Afghanistan. We are not the first to confront such problems. During Old Testament times the nation of Israel suffered similar and even more severe problems. Perhaps we can learn something from what the Bible tells us of these events. The Book of Judges describes the history of Israel in the period between its entry into the Promised Land and the time of the first king of Israel ( BCE). It was a period of recurrent disasters and recovery. The author of Judges is clear as to why these disasters happened. After the original generation that entered the land had died off, there arose another generation after them, who did not know the Lord, or even the work which he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10) What is achieved in these few words is a thumbnail sketch of an age very much like our own. Our period is often described as post-christian. It is not just that only a minority of people actually believe in God and observe religious standards, arguably that was always the case. This age is post-christian because the by Tom Griffy great mass of people have little inkling what they are not part of. The Christian tradition is not familiar to them at all. The Pew Foundation recently surveyed a sample of the US population asking them to answer a few quite simple multiple-choice questions concerning the Bible and religious history such as who was the Jewish leader who led the exodus from Egypt? Less than one percent of those surveyed got all 15 answers correct. What is the consequence of this religious ignorance? Again the Book of Judges provides the answer: Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This same phrase might well be used to characterize our current society. Most people don t want to hear about moral laws and ethical behavior, particularly if these laws and ethics are based on the Bible. Many go to great effort to keep God out of their lives and the life of the nation. The Book of Judges reminds us that there is a terrible price to be paid when everyone does what is right in his own eyes. While I do not believe that God has caused the heat wave, the drought, our nation s financial problems or the loss of our heroes in Afghanistan, I do believe that only a country with strong religious beliefs can find the courage and moral fiber necessary to deal with these issues. Ignoring or abandoning our nation s religious foundations places our nation in great peril. A CENTURY OVER THE SEA One hundred years of Naval Aviation, a century over the sea, is being celebrated throughout The Naval Aviation Museum, an official Department of the Navy museum in Pensacola, Florida is dedicated to select, collect, preserve and display historic artifacts relating to the history of Naval Aviation. On their website is a section devoted to the Centennial Celebration with photos and history of aircraft, ships, personnel and events that shaped Naval Aviation over the last 100 years. From the fragile pusher aircraft that pilot Eugene Fly flew and the first landing on an aircraft carrrier to the myriad of sleek, supersonic and multi-purposed aircraft of the 21st Century, Naval Aviation has a long and colorful history that reflects the changes in an evolving nation. Check out the site at 6 The Anchor, July August

7 ADOPT-A-CADET At each of the GAC s dinner meetings we are honored to have a Navy JROTC, Young Marine, Sea Cadet or UT NROTC unit post the colors to get the meeting off to a patriotic start. The students and their sponsors are invited to participate as guests of the Council. To help us offset the cost of the meals for these fine young men and women, we re inviting members to ADOPT-A-CADET When you make your dinner reservation, let Lu Ann Reyes know if you would like to pick up the cost of a meal for one or more of the students. Adopters will be recognized at the meeting. Do You Have Your GAC Challenge Coin? Challenge coins represent military units, or special events and are collector s items. The limited edition GAC Challenge Coin is available for our members. The coins, (pictured here) available at the dinner meetings, are $10 each and help to support programs of the Council. GET YOURS TODAY! George T. Jones Scholarship Fund ready for first distribution The George T. Jones Scholarship Fund was established in 2001 by family and friends as a memorial to former GAC member George T. Jones, a Navy veteran. The Council pledged a minimum of $1,000 per year to its growth and set a goal of $20,000 at which point scholarships (minimum of $500) would be issued to deserving high school seniors enrolled in Central Texas area Navy/Marine JROTC programs, the Young Marines program or the Sea Cadet program. The fund has reached its goal and will solicit applications for scholarships to be presented in the Spring of A scholarship committee chaired by past GAC president Jim Brotherton is designing the selection criteria and making recommendations to the GAC board to address the maintenance of the corpus of the fund as scholarships are distributed. Contributions to the fund are tax deductible. Sea Service retirees are encouraged to consider the fund as a beneficiary in their estate planning. GAC Calendar Sept 1 Oct 13 ~2011~ Distinguished Speaker Program ADM Bobby Inman and Congressman Michael McCaul - Is Anyone Secure, Are We? An update for TH BIRTHDAY OF THE U.S. NAVY! Distinguished Speaker Program Tom Hatfield, senior research fellow at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin and director of the Center s Military History Institute, plus CDR Sylvester Steele, CO of the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS STOUT(DDG 55)which took part in the initial Libyan campaign in March, when it fired its Tomahawk missiles at Libyan government targets. Additional speakers invited but not yet confirmed include: Gen. Michael W. Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Author Fred Burton Dan Branch, NLUS President VADM William H. McRaven, SOCOM, UT Graduate Dates are subject to change to accommodate the speaker. For calendar updates go to Advertise your business in The Anchor. Info at asp George T. Jones, U. S. Navy WWII Veteran and Navy League Member George T. Jones Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to graduating seniors in Navy and Marine JROTC and Sea Cadet programs Contribute Now! Send your tax deductible contributions to Greater Austin Council NLUS George T. Jones Scholarship Fund c/o Lu Ann Reyes W. Parmer Lane, #2203 Cedar Park, TX The Anchor, July August

8 The ANCHOR Kathy Pillmore, Editor Jupiter Hills Drive Austin, TX The ANCHOR is the official newsletter of the Greater Austin Council of the Navy League of the United States. It is published six times annually and distributed free of charge to all its members and to other interested parties. The Greater Austin Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and as such is exempt from Limited Sales, Excise and Use Taxes per the IRS Code. FIRST CLASS MAIL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Citizens in Support of the Sea Services The Navy League of the United States is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating our citizens about the importance of sea power to U. S. national security, and supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families. SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AFFILIATES Ricon Products HELP US BUILD OUR MEMBERSHIP Use the form below and sign up a new member. Bring it and your new member to our next council meeting, or mail the form, together with the fee (check or money order payable to NLUS,) to Kathy Pillmore, Jupiter Hills Drive, Austin, TX 78747; or Lu Ann Reyes, W. Parmer Lane, Cedar Park, TX The new member will be added to our mailing list immediately. YES! Please enroll me as a Navy Leaguer Today I am a U.S. Citizen I am not a U. S. Citizen Name: (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Etc.) First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name Name of Spouse: (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Etc.) First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name Address: Number, Street, Name (Apt., Suite, P.O. Box) Date of Birth City State Zip Code (+4) Type of Membership (please check one) Individual One-Year Membership...$50 Joint Husband/Wife One-Year...$85 Individual Two-Year Membership...$90 Individual Three-Year Membership...$125 Individual Life Membership...$500 Joint Husband/Wife Life Membership...$750 Some NLUS Councils may charge local dues Method of Payment Check enclosed (Make payable to NLUS or Please charge my Visa MC AMEX Home Phone Business Phone Card# Exp. Date Sponsor s Last Name Sponsor s Membership # New Member s Council Signature Billing Zip Code