Distinguished Speaker Dinner Series THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015

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1 The Official Newsletter of the Greater Austin Council Navy League of the United States June July 2015 Citizens in Support of the Sea Services A New Jersey native, Captain Miller is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, with a diploma from the U.S. Naval War College Command and Staff Program and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Captain Miller deployed with HSL- 33 (San Diego, California) and the SH-2F Seasprite for counter-narcotics operations aboard ROANOKE (AOR-7), DUN- CAN (FFG-10) and STERETT (CG-31) in the Eastern Pacific, Central America, and Caribbean; and to Haiti to enforce the blockade of Port Au Prince. Captain Miller next reported to HSL- 48 (Mayport, Florida), flying the SH-60B Seahawk and deploying as Operations Officer of a 4-plane Search and Rescue unit aboard EISENHOWER (CVN-69) and later ELROD (FFG-55) in the Persian Gulf. He served as Instructor Pilot and deployed as Maintenance Officer and Officer-In-Charge aboard THOMAS S. GATES (CG-51) in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. His crew and aircraft represented JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) Battlegroup at the Paris Air Show and flew in the Romanian National Air Show. Captain Miller reported to Naval Air Station New Orleans and served as UC- 12B Huron Instructor Pilot, Manpower Distinguished Speaker Dinner Series THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015 Featured Speaker CAPT. GIL J. MILLER, USN Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base Update on NAS Ft. Worth JRB & Texas Commanders Council and Reserve Services Officer, Training Wings Program Manager, Assistant Ops, Personnel Support Detachment Officerin-Charge, and Traffic Court Judge. Next reporting to VR-54 (New Orleans, Louisiana), he served as C-130T Hercules Instructor Pilot, Aviation Safety Officer, and Safety, Operations, and Maintenance Department Head. Captain Miller transferred to Fleet Logistics Support Wing in Fort Worth, Texas for assignment as C-130T Program Manager, Pilot Evaluator, and NATOPS Department Head for the Wing s six aircraft types. He next reported as the first Officer-in-Charge and C-130 Instructor Pilot of VR-64 in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania; transitioning Patrol Squadron 64 to Fleet airlift. VR-64 deployed to Western Pacific, European, and Central Command theaters, flew relief missions for a Pakistani earthquake and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and aerial refueled nearly 50 tactical aircraft during his tenure. Captain Miller served on the Navy Staff (OPNAV N78/N88) at the Pentagon, initially in Transport Aircraft Requirements and later as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director, Air Warfare. He reported to VR-48, Andrews Air Force Base, as Executive Officer and subsequently served as the Continued on P3

2 2015 COUNCIL OFFICERS Kathy Pillmore President Tim Hunsberger President-Elect Glenn Looney (Acting) Vice President for Membership Mary Virginia Pittman-Waller Vice President for Development & Marketing Glenn Looney Vice President for Communications Max Miller Vice President for Education LuAnn Reyes Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer Jim Brotherton Vice President for Military Affairs Jeanie Coffey Vice President for Legislative Affairs Lisa Svabek Sullivan Vice President for Youth Programs Tim Hunsberger (Acting) Secretary Jim Lovering Chaplain Michael Murray Judge Advocate General NATIONAL DIRECTORS Max Miller Jeanie Coffey Tim Hunsberger Glenn Looney Jack Ritter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn Looney, Chairman Jim Brotherton Jeanie Coffey Mike Jackson Don Jones Max Miller Randy Patterson Mary Virginia Pittman-Waller Jack Ritter Steve Smith Kathy Pillmore LIAISONS Brian Colfack Military Services Coalition Steve Smith Marine Corps CAPT Brian Teets, USN CO UT NROTC CDR Brett Fereday, USN CO Navy Operations Support Center The Anchor is the official publication of the Greater Austin Council, Navy League of the United States. It is published six times annually prior to an upcoming Distinguished Speaker Series Dinner. Archived copies of past Anchors may be found at President s Message Kathy Pillmore President, 2015 Greater Austin Council, NLUS I m writing this message fresh off my recent trip to the Navy League U.S. National Convention held in Tampa, Florida. I met many other council presidents and learned a lot about how the organization works, who to call for what, and some exciting programs that are coming on line for Navy Leaguers. Our Council was recognized as a Navy League Meritorious Council and a Mackie Award recipient for our newsletter (see photo.) The Greater Austin Council attendees picked up the Mackie Award. (ll-r) Jack and Mary Ritter, Jeanie Coffey, MVP, Kathy Pillmore, Glenn Looney, Max Miller I was also privileged to attend the commissioning of the Coast Guard s latest cutter, the USS Richard Dixon, WPC-1113 which will go into service around Puerto Rico to help with drug interdictions. We took the opportunity to invite the Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Paul J. Zunkunft to come to Austin. USS Richard Dixon, WPC-1113, the Coast Guard s newest cutter While gaining a head full of ideas for our Council, I ran into two individuals I had known previously. One was Bill Crow from the Hampton Roads Council. Back in 2000 the Council partnered with the Austin Visitors and Convention Bureau to take a group of Austinites to Key West, Florida where we boarded the USS Austin, LPD-4 for a cruise that took us across the Gulf and into Galveston for a re-commissioning. The CO of that ship was the same then Captain Bill Crow. When he learned I was from Austin AND coincidentally on the aforementioned ship, he said how much he had wanted to thank everyone for that trip because he and the crew had a great time in Austin. For three days The City of Austin pulled out all stops for the ship s officers and crew...providing them with transportation from the ship to Austin and return with overnight lodging on Town Lake (it was still Town Lake at that time,) treated them to a barbecue at the Capitol, had a welcome banner strung RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT OUR NEXT DINNER 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 CALL OR luann@luannreyes.com ONLINE via PayPal at PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR MEAL WITHOUT A RESERVATION 2 The Anchor, June July

3 President s Message, Continued across Congress Avenue and in general gave them the keys to the city. The group that sailed from Key West returned to Galveston a couple days later for the re-commissioning along with Lynda-Bird Johnson who originally commissioned the ship in the 60s. Crow said he never got to thank anyone...likewise, I thanked him for the wonderful time we civilians had on the USS Austin. The other gentleman I ran into at the commissioning of the Dixon had lived in Austin and 20 years ago I worked with him on the board of For The Children, a school supply program that provides basic supplies to thousands of Austin, Round Rock and Pflugerville elementary students. He is now retired, lives in Tampa and is a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, which is why he was attending the ship s commissioning. Small world! One of the exciting programs we heard about during the convention was America s Strength. You ll be hearing more about it at the next dinner...speaking of which, we have another great program for you. Captain Gil Miller is the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base. We have it on good authority from our friends in the Ft. Worth Council that he is a great speaker (and in my personal opinion...not hard to look at ladies!) He will have big shoes to fill after our last program on May 19 when CPT Jerry Yellin mesmerized a packed house. CPT Yellin also offered to sponsor a student membership in the Navy League that evening. We had 57 students from five different JROTC units in attendance and more than a few of them were vying for that membership before the evening was over. The Council agreed to sponsor four additional memberships and each unit commander was asked to recommend one of their cadets to receive the honor, which they did. Their names are listed on page 6 in this newsletter. The Council is hard at work trying to secure a proclamation from Governor Abbott recognizing the Spirit of 45 celebration that takes place the week of August CPT Yellin is a national spokesperson for that event. All the state governors were challenged by Governor Branstad of Iowa to provide the proclamation in hopes that all 50 states will be represented at the August celebration. Max has been hard at work securing additional speakers for the remainder of the year. In October we will welcome the ever-popular Professor H. W. Brands who will talk about his newbook Reagan: The Life. On November 5, in conjunction with the UT Alumni reunion week, we ll welcome back Dr. Don Inbody (USN Captain Ret and former CO of the UTNROTC unit). Dr. Inbody is a professor at Texas State University and has authored a book titled The Soldier Vote: War, Politics, and the Ballot in America. In December, instead of a speaker we will have a holiday party at which we ll collect Toys For Tots and stocking stuffers for the VA Clinic. We are also planning some entertainment and surprises so mark your calendars for December 17. Future program invitees include VADM Robin Braun, CO of the Navy Reserve Corps; VADM Jan Tighe, USN Commander of Fleet Cyber Command, Dr. Ted Rippert,a historian with his presentation about Teddy Roosevelt and the Navy League. Keep an eye out for announcements from the Council as to scheduling dates. So much is going on with a potential for even more. It s time for you to get involved to help us make it all happen. Contact either Glenn Looney or myself and we ll put you to work. Until then fair winds and following seas. Kathy Guest Speaker, continued from p1 squadron s Commanding Officer. VR-48 deployed C-20G (modified Gulfstream IV) aircraft to Qatar, Africa, and Bahrain, providing rapid response passenger and cargo transport into Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe. Captain Miller reported to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense as Deputy Director for Mobilizations, serving for two years as principal briefer to the Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) for all National Guard and Reserve Component mobilizations, deployment orders, and global force management. Captain Miller was selected as an honorary Chief Petty Officer in 2002, has accumulated 4700 military flight hours, and is a designated Naval Parachutist whose personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and several campaign and unit awards. FAMOUS FOLKS While at the Navy League National Convention, some of us were fortunate to run into a couple of national leaders; Max Miller visited with Congressman John Carter from Round Rock and Kathy Pillmore had an opportunity to talk to Benjamin Franklin(!) The Anchor, June July

4 Snapshots from the May 14, 2015 Distinguished Speaker Series Dinner Guest speaker, WWII Captain Jerry Yellin was a hit. In addition to our token of appreciation for his appearance, and with the help of Texas State Rep. Paul Workman s office, he was presented with a Texas flag that was flown over the Capitol and was commissioned as an Admiral in the Texas Navy. Photos clockwise from top right: Bastrop High School NJROTC cadets with Capt. Yellin, Lehman High School NJROTC cadets with Capt. Yellin, GySGT Jacob Yehl, Capital Area Young Marines receives the Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal, Glenn Looney presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Mary Virginia Pittman- Waller, David Sisk as the successful bidder for a WWII poster signed by Capt. Yellin, Peggy Jones presents a $2,000 George Jones Scholarship to...with Lehman High School NJROTC, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Travis High School NJROTC and Vista Ridge High School for their color guard presentations in 2013/2014. (CDR Hamblet (middle) was the Senior Naval Science Instructor at Travis in 2014 and moved to Vista Ridge in 2014/2015.) 4 The Anchor, June July

5 the U. S. Navy Reserve Celebrates 100 Years of service to country UNIT IN THE SPOTLIGHT NR NSF CFA CHINHAE, Navy Operational Support Center - Austin Tasked with providing fully qualified Navy Security Forces to augment Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC), Republic of Korea, for all major exercises, events and regional contingencies, Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Roy Andy Anderson and his team stand at the ready to support the active component with qualified watch standers that can be plugged in anywhere the need arises. As the United States continues developing valuable relationships with partners in the Asia-Pacific, U.S. Navy presence, specifically Security Forces, acts as a critical component to ensuring operational readiness. With their active duty counterparts located on the other side of the world, overcoming a separation of thousands of miles is just one part of the responsibility charged to Reservists serving in NR NSF CFA CHINHAE. Because we support a Navy Security Force in Korea, we cannot train with them on a monthly basis like units who actually drill at the same base with their active duty counterparts, said Anderson. Additionally, being located in Austin Texas, located in the middle of a National Guard base doesn t allow for the normal exposure to Navy customs and Courtesies. Dedicated to mission success and focused on maintaining operational readiness at all times, NR NSF CFA CHIN- HAE members distinguish themselves by not only continually sending members abroad for training in the South Korean theater, but additionally, working side by side with the Army Reserves and Guard, providing security during high visibility public events, says Anderson. This is invaluable experience in a joint environment. Maintaining academic proficiency is another task set before By LT j.g. David Tarasi NOSC Austin Public Affairs NR NSF CFA CHINHAE Sailors. We have very specific and regulated annual requirements for training, said Anderson, commenting on the high-level of classroom training and professional development of each of his Sailors. Because the demand for our services is so great, we can often send members to Korea for extended periods of time this gets them more pay, more points, and mostly, more experience and team building. Drawing from a wealth of experiences from team members who maintain civilian jobs in law enforcement, NR NSF CFA CHINHAE Reservists provide real world experience to the Navy Law Enforcement Team, said Anderson. Even our junior Sailors are sometimes high ranking members of the police or Sheriff departments. Combining their vast professional expertise with a well-balanced and thoroughly supported training environment, including high-level academics and continuous intheater operational exposure, Sailors from NR NSF CFA CHNHAE personify the mission of the Navy Reserve, providing strategic depth and operational capabilities to the Navy, standing Ready Now, Anytime, Anywhere. The unit s constant strive for excellence and close-knit camaraderie have not gone unnoticed. They are a great bunch of Sailors, said CDR Brett Fereday, commanding officer, NOSC Austin. They get the job done with an extremely good attitude while providing real value to the Navy. We are force multipliers, said Anderson, proudly of his Sailors. Their knowledge and experience is real world, current, and invaluable. AUSTIN, Texas (June 14, 2015) NR NSF CFA CHINHAE Sailors celebrate Master-at-Arms 1st Class Anderson and Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Sabo's frocking during Senior Chief Petty Officer Jason Edwards retirement at the Audie Murphy Auditorium on Camp Mabry National Guard Base. The Anchor, June July

6 Recipients of the Navy League CPT JERRY YELLIN Student Memberships At the May Council dinner, our guest speaker, CPT Jerry Yellin, offered to sponsor a Navy League student membership for one of the students from the five high schools represented at the dinner. The Council stepped up and agreed to pay for four additional memberships and name them after CPT Yellin. Below are the students, chosen by their instructors, to receive the honorary student memberships. Emmanuel Lemelle, Bastrop High School Navy NDC Brenham Pending Sergio Navarro, Lehman High School NJROTC Brandon Madyun, Travis High School NJROTC Kenneth Smith, Vista Ridge High School NJROTC Rep. Paul Workman, District 47 sponsored a proclamation recognizing the Navy League s Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal and the cadets who received it. Those cadets and their Sr. Science Instructors from several the Council s adopted units were present at the State House of Representatives and were acknowledged by Rep. Workman during the reading of the proclamation. V.P. of Youth Affairs, Lisa Sullivan made the arrangements with Workman s office. Cadets, instructors and Rep. Workman are pictured above on the steps leading to the House of Representatives. COUNCIL DELIVERS YOUTH MEDALS TO DESERVING CADETS Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States believed that a strong military presence insured peace. As president he doubled the size of the Navy and sent a fleet of 16 battleships on a cruise around the world to show America s strength.theodore Roosevelt Youth Medals were presented to the following JROTC cadets this Spring. In 1905 he brought about a peace conference between Japan and Russia for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a portion of which was donated to further the development of the Navy League of the U. S. which had been founded in The Navy League Youth Medal, named for Roosevelt, was established to honor outstanding JROTC cadets and Naval Sea Cadets who best exemplify Roosevelt s values of energy, sprit, competition and fair play. The following cadets in the Council s adopted units were presented with Roosevelt medals this May. The presentations were organized by Lisa Sullivan, V.P. of Youth Affairs. Natasha Rae Stelter Bastrop High School, Navy NDC Briana Ward Brenham High School, MCJROTC Jacob Yehl Capital Area Young Marines Kyle Chaney Elgin High School, Navy NDC Hatton Ross Fredericksburg High School, NJROTC Kadie Andrade Fredericksburg High School, NJROTC Cassandra Woliver Georgetown/Eastview High School NJROTC Brock Severson Hays High School, MCJROTC Austin Wright Hendrickson High School, MCJROTC Eleanor Pitzer Lehman High School NJROTC Jacob Puente New Braunfels High School, MCJROTC Ryan Howley Round Rock High School, MCJROTC Robert Wanzer Stoney Point High School, NJROTC Chris Garcia Travis High School NJROTC Samantha Knievel Vista Ridge High School NJROTC MIDN/1C Jason Beck U. T. Naval ROTC Helene Yellin (Wife of Capt. Jerry Yellin) A donation has been made to the George T. Jones Scholarship fund by the Greater Austin Council 6 The Anchor, June July

7 THANK YOU to our May 14 Adopters Max and Sylvia Miller Bruce Byron Jim Hornfischer Ed Finnegan Tom Griffy Jack & Mary Ritter Nancy & Glenn Looney Jim & Sue Caldwell Joe Cruz Tom McGuire Randy and Kaye Patterson Lehman JROTC Rick Hamblet Mike Jackson Peggy Jones Janet & Mark Kres Help us keep cadets from Austin and surrounding area JROTC, UTROTC, Sea Cadet and Young Marine units coming to our dinners. Your adoption of one or more cadets at each dinner helps us to offset the cost of hosting these great young men and women. (The Greater Austin Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your adoption certificate is your tax receipt.) WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATION, LET US KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO ADOPT-A-CADET ($25 PER Cadet) GAC Program Calendar July 4 July 16 Oct 1 Nov 5 December 14 ~2015~ Independence Day CAPT Gil J. Miller, USN Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base H. W. Brands, Professor of History, University of Texas and Author Dr. Don Inbody, (Capt. USN Ret) Author Council Holiday Party, Toys For Tots Drive and VA Center Donation Collection and surprises! Dates are subject to change to accommodate the speaker's schedule. For calendar updates go to 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 Greater Austin Council NLUS 8650 Spiecewood Springs, # Austin, TX Advertise Your Business in The Anchor For information go to www. navyleagueaustin.org/ newsletter/asp or kpillmore@austin. rr.com The Anchor, June July

8 The ANCHOR Jupiter Hills Dr. 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,) Greater Austin Council, 8650 Spicewood Springs, # Austin, TX The new member will immediately be added to our mailing list. YES! Name: (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Etc.) Name of Spouse: (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Etc.) Please enroll me as a Navy Leaguer Today I am a U.S. Citizen Address: Number, Street, Name (Apt., Suite, P.O. Box) Your Company s Name Here Ask us how I am not a U. S. Citizen First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name Date of Birth City State Zip Code (+4) Type of Membership (please check one)* Active Duty Spouse...$30 Individual One-Year Membership...$65 Husband & Wife One-Year Membership...$117 Individual Two-Year Membership...$117 Individual Three-Year Membership...$175 Individual Life Membership (55 and below)...$1,000 Individual Life Membership (56-75)...$750 Method of Payment Check enclosed (Make payable to NLUS) or Please charge my Visa MC AMEX Home Phone Business Phone Card# Exp. Date Greater Austin Council Sponsor s Last Name Sponsor s Membership # New Member s Council Signature Billing Zip Code *Student memberships available online at navyleague.org ($25)