Mr. Gregg Stevens became the

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1 The Official Newsletter of the Greater Austin Council Navy League of the United States January February 2015 Citizens in Support of the Sea Services Mr. Gregg Stevens became the AMEDD Civilian Corps Chief on 12 November He also is the Deputy to the Commanding General, Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. From December 2005 until assuming that position, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for the Center and School. Prior to that, he served for three years as the Deputy Chief, Leader Training Center and the Program Director for the Army Medical Department Executive Skills Program. In addition to his years of service as an AMEDD civilian, Mr. Stevens served nearly 30 years on active duty, receiving his commission as a Regular Medical Service Corps Army officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) upon graduation from Providence College in He holds a Masters Degree in Health Care Administration from the U.S. Army Baylor Program. His military schooling includes the Army Medical Department Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Medical Logistics Officer Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. Mr. Stevens active duty assignments included commands at the U.S. Army Health Care Systems Support Activity, Fort Sam Houston; 68th Medical Group, Distinguished Speaker Dinner Series THURSDAY MARCH 19, 2014 Featured Speaker Gregg Stevens Senior Executive Service Chief, AMEDD Civilian Corps. TOPIC Saving Lives: New Medical Technology on the Battlefield Germany; Joint Task Force Provide Promise (Forward), Croatia; and the 5th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, Fort Bragg. His other assignments include Chief of Staff, U.S. Army MEDCOM, Fort Sam Houston; Executive Officer, Office of the Surgeon General; Deputy Chief of Staff, Health Services Command, Fort Sam Houston; Deputy Commander for Administration, USAMEDDAC, West Point; Assistant Inspector General, 7th Medical Command, Germany; Chief, Logistics Division, Fort Leavenworth; Chief, Liaison and Customer Assistance Branch, U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency, Fort Detrick; Company Commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan, Okinawa; Chief, Service Branch, Logistics Division, U.S. Army Hospital, Okinawa; Chief, Materiel Branch, Logistics Division, U.S. Army Hospital, Fort Carson; Assistant S-4, 67th Medical Group, Da Nang, Viet Nam; S-4, 307th Medical Battalion and Division Medical Supply Officer, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg. His professional affiliations include: Fellow, American Academy of Medical Administrators; U.S. Army-Baylor University HCA Alumni Association; U.S. Army War College Alumni Association, and the Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Continued on P3

2 2014 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 Mary Virginia Pittman-Waller NATIONAL V.P. Max Miller 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 John G. Eden, 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 Our first Distinguished Speaker dinner comes a little later in the new year than we normally prefer but as our dinners revolve around the schedules of our speakers, we were forced to make a last-minutes change. We apologize but forge ahead we will. Our speaker this time bring with him interesting information about medical technology being used on today s battlefield. Thousands of lives are being saved by the ability of military medical personnel to react quickly and rely on diagnostic tools they have never had before. It should be an interesting look into this technology. A quick thank you to everyone who brought toys in December for the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program and especially to the Vista Ridge NJROTC cadets who filled the van the Marines brought to collect the toys. This has become an outstanding annual event for our Council thanks to Lu- Ann Reyes who pulls it together each year. And another thank you to everyone who endorsed me for the Council president s position for another term. I will take that as validation that I haven t screwed things up too badly yet. The Lone Star Regional meeting is coming up right after our next dinner. This year it s in Grapevine and several of your board members and directors will be attending and will be outstanding representatives of our Council. Be aware please that you don t have to be a board member to attend these meetings. In fact, if you re considering taking on a leadership role in the Council, we encourage you to attend and see what s going on in Councils around the region. We ll also have a report from national headquarters. We lost another one of our long-time Navy League members and a WWII vet, Vic Niemeyer. Please see the write up about Vic elsewhere in the newsletter. He and his wife Lala were regulars at our dinners. He will be sorely missed. If your membership is expiring, please consider renewing it. The Navy League needs your membership in order to carry out its mission in support of the sea services. The military as a whole seems to be under fire...not just on the battlefield but in the halls of Washington, D.C. We must keep our membership numbers up so that our presence in D.C. demonstrated the NLUS' level of commitment and strength in numbers to the members of Congress. Hope to see you all at the March 19th dinner. Until then fair winds and following seas. Kathy 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, January February

3 Guest Speaker, continued from p1 Executives Alumni Association, and the Association of the United States Army. Mr. Stevens awards and decorations include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, Legion of Merit (3OLC), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal (w/ OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Medal (2nd Award), Viet Nam Service Medal (4th Award), Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation, United Nations Medal, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Order of Military Medical Merit. To these Greater Austin Council members upon the anniversary of their memberships. Thank you for your loyalty to the Navy League.We look forward to our continued association in support of the Sea Services November 2014 John E. Mendel December 2014 Charles Smith Nancy L. Otto Jay W. Hurst George K. Haley January 2015 James D. Brotherton Susan Steele Pat Peterson Richard S. Williams February 2015 Robert L. Collins John K. Berry R. F. Nolan Martin L. Smith Miguel Cardoza March 2015 Timothy Sullivan Lisa Sullivan Community Affiliate Ricon Products E. Ralph Morgan Michael H. Schwartz C. William Richardson Joe H. Cruz Roy E. Walker Jerry Yellin Robert A. Bried Gary A. Lundeen April 2015 Sharon Kay Nobles Kaye E. Johanson William R. Lutz Tom Howard Bobbie Freitag MARINE BAND'S TRIBUTE TO SOUSA The U. S. Marine Band has released the first volume of The Complete Marches of John Philip Sousa a multi-year recording project initiated by Marine Band Director Lt. Col. Jason K. Fettig. The project, which is in addition to the Marine Band s annual educational recording will take approximately six years to complete and will focus on The March King s most important contributions to the concert band repertoire. Each volume of "The Complete Marches of John Philip Sousa" will be available for free exclusively on the Marine Band website ( and the band s YouTube channel ( Help us keep cadets from Austin 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. ADOPT-A-CADET AND EARN 1 CADET - $25 Recognition at our dinner 2 CADETS - $50 Recognition at our dinner and in the next issue of The Anchor newsletter 3 CADETS - $75 Recognition at our dinner, in the next issue of the Anchor newsletter and on our Facebook page 4 CADETS - $100 Recognition at our dinner, in the next issue of The Anchor newsletter, on our Facebook page and on our website. The Greater Austin Council NLUS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All adopters receive a Certificate of Adoption which serves as a receipt for your tax-deductible donation WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATION, LET US KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO ADOPT-A-CADET THANK YOU to our December 4 Adopters Max and Sylvia Miller Jack and Mary Ritter Peggy Jones Joe Cruz Randy and Kaye Patterson Glenn and Nancy Looney Tom Uhl Andy Barclay Jeannie Coffey TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT NAVY LEAGUE The Anchor, January February

4 Snapshots from thedecember 5, 2014 Distinguished Speaker Program &Dinner Kathy Pillmore and guest speaker C. Ray Davis (top). Davis accepting the Council's token of appreciation. Cadets from Vista Ridge High School (Leander) were well represented. They came bearing a large number of toys for the Marine Corps Toys For Tots drive. A good turnout for the early days of December attentively listening to the speaker. WILLIAM B. TRAVIS HIGH SCHOOL NAVY JROTC Cadets from the Travis High School NJROTC program recently visited the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi prior to a drill competition held at William B. Ray High School. On March 27 and 28 the unit will compete in the NJROTC state drill finals a first for Travis High School! NCC David Ysaguirre, USN Ret. Naval Science Instructor ELGIN HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL DEFENSE CORPS UNIT Welcome the Austin Council's newest adopted unit at Elgin High School and LCDR R. W. Armstrong, USN (Ret) the unit's senior instructor. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS NAVY ROTC UTNROTC introduces their 2015 Spring Battalion staff CO - MIDN 1/C Jbeily XO - MIDN 1/C Baugh SUPPO - MIDN 3/C Ross ADJ - MIDN 2/C Ledesma OPS - MIDN 2/C Conaghan AOPS - MIDN 3/C Bishop PAO - MIDN 3/C Lewis PTI - MIDN 3/C Guerra Leatherneck PC - MIDN 3/C Mancilla DIVO - MIDN 3/C Ebarguen DIVO - MIDN 3/C Martin 4 The Anchor, January February

5 the U. S. Navy Reserve Celebrates 100 Years of service to country Congress authorized the establishment of the Federal Naval Reserve on March 3, Initially, the only sailors eligible to enroll were enlisted Navy veterans. On Aug. 29, 1916, with the prospect of America s entry into World War I looming, the Navy Reserve reorganized to allow the enrollment of non-veterans and was designated as the U.S. Naval Reserve Force. When the U.S. entered World War I on April 6, 1917, there were 8,000 sailors serving in the Navy Reserve Force. When the fighting ended on Nov. 11, 1918, more than 250,000 Reserve Sailors were on active duty, which was more than half of the war-time Navy. These sailors included 12,000 pioneering women - who were all released from active duty by 1920 not to serve again until World War II. During World War II, the Navy Reserve contributed 84 percent of the Navy s manpower. Navy Reserve sailors in World War II included five future U.S. Presidents - John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush - and 15 recipients of the Medal of Honor. More than 22,000 Reserve sailors were mobilized for the first Gulf War. Since Sept. 11, 2001, there have been more than 70,000 Selected Reserve mobilizations, along with an additional 4,500 deployments by full-time support sailors, including more than 8,000 who have done a second combat tour. The Greater Austin Council is partnering with the Navy Reserve Operations Center (NOSC) throughout the year to recognize the units that make up the local reserve battalion. The Navy Reserves or NOSC are based at Camp Mabry and the Marine Reserves are based at the new reserve center at Bergstrom Air Force Base. A senior Reserve officer has been invited to be a speaker at one of our dinners later this year. Join us all year as we celebrate the Reserves 100th anniversary. Greater Austin Council Financial Summary 2014 Year-End Summary Assets Checking Balance $1, Petty Cash Total Assets $2, George T. Jones Scholarship Fund Frost CD $5, Frost Savings 16, Total Scholarship Fund $22, Approved Budget Income Adopt-A-Cadet $2,550 General/Operations 5,000 Membership Renewal 325 Sea Services 1,300 Dinners 11,670 NLUS Rebates 1,400 Other 1,475 Total Income $23,720 Income vs. Expense Summary Income $31, Expenses , Net Income $ Of Note: $10,000 fundraising expense covered by member donations. Annual commitment of $1,000 to Jones Fund was fulfilled. $3,095 raised via Adopt-A-Cadet donations. $1, raised for Sea Cadets from outside corporations. Dinner revenues/expenses lower due to reduced attendance. Expense Administrative 3,080 Awards 1,425 Contributions 1,000 Miscellaneous 925 Fees 950 Dinners 12,330 Youth Stipends/Support 2,500 Total Expense $22,210 Net Operating Income $1,510 The Anchor, January February

6 Vic Niemeyer was born in September of He enlisted in the Navy in August of 1941 in Houston, Texas and was appointed a midshipman, USNR in October He attended reserve officers training school, V-7 at Northwestern University in Chicago and was commissioned on January 16, Assigned to the submarine USS R-18 (SS-95), Niemeyer completed two war patrols in the Atlantic. From February 1944 to October 1945 Niemeyer served aboard Photo taken December 2011 as Vic Niemeyer (center) receives a U. S. Submarine Veterans Holland Club certificate certifying that he has met the 50 year mark as "Qualified in Submarines." Randy Patterson (left and Bob Steinaman, representing the sub vets, made the presentation. A donation of $100 has been made to the George T. Jones Scholarship fund by the Greater Austin Council in honor of Vic the submarine USS SEACAT (SS-339) completing four Pacific war patrols while serving as torpedo officer, first lieutenant, diving officer, and navigator. The USS SEACAT headed toward the Kuril Islands on 6 August 1945 for her fourth and last war patrol, but upon arrival in her patrol area learned that hostilities with Japan had ended. The submarine was ordered to proceed to Tokyo Bay during the formal surrender ceremony on 2 September Niemeyer was released from active duty in December 1945 having achieved the rank of lieutenant. Chaplain's Corner Jim Lovering, Chaplain My name is Jim Lovering and I am the new chaplain for our council. Briefly, I am a retired Medical Service Corp CAPTAIN whose service encompassed 42 yrs-e 1 thru O 6 excluding warrant. I work at BAMC as a contract Pharmacist in the outpatient department. Married with 4 children and 11 grand kids. We live in San Antonio. For many of you we are in a period of spiritual renewal, known as Lent. Ash Wednesday came early this year and so Easter follows some 40 days minus Sundays later. FEB 18- APR 5. So if you encountered someone with a dark smudge on their forehead on the 3rd Wednesday in Feb, I trust you did not questioning their appearance, but rather took a few minutes to understand the significance in our pluralistic society we find ourselves today. This spiritual renewal can be aided by increased biblical scripture or other spiritual writings and reflection on these avenues. Again, many people ask what we are giving up during this period but I say "how can I do extraordinary acts of devotion to prepare my spirit for closer union with God?" Join us for the Navy League U. S. LONE STAR REGIONAL MEETING March Marriott Residence Inn DFW Airport North/Grapevine, Texas Friday, 20 March Reception and Dinner Saturday, 21 March Regional & Area President Reports Legislative Affairs Update Bill Waylett, NLUS Update Council Presidents Reports Membership and Retention Discussion Youth Programs Discussion ] To attend contact Bob Scholes Bob.Scholes@elbitsystems-us.com 6 The Anchor, January February

7 The Importance of Your Navy League and Council Membership Membership is the lifeblood of any organization. Members often do not join or renew because they cannot attend meetings or serve as officers. But there is more to being in the Navy League than attending meetings. Your membership in the Navy League and the Greater Austin Council gives a national voice and financial support to the cause of American Sea Power. Your membership enables the Navy League and the Council to support the Sea Services, Sea Services members and families, and JROTC and Sea Cadet youth programs, whether you ever attend a single meeting. It is perfectly acceptable to just enjoy your Sea Power Magazine and attend and serve just when you can, but please be counted with us. Remember, Navy League is a civilian organization, open to all. No prior military service is required, just a strong interest in the Sea Services; Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and US Flag Merchant Marine. When the time comes, please renew and/or upgrade your membership. If you need assistance, we can help. You may contact us in three ways: Telephone:(512) navyleagueaustin@gmail.com U. S. Mail: 8650 Spicewood Springs # Austin, TX Also, to learn everything about us visit our freshly updated website at Good information, current news, and some stirring Sea Service videos and music. And for another great salty experience, go our Facebook page at and while there, Like Us. In closing, if you are not a member, please check us out; come to a Distinguished Speaker Program. If you are a member, please renew on time and bring in at least one new member to share your experience with you. Glenn Looney, Chairman Greater Austin Council, NLUS GAC Program Calendar March 1 31 Mar 19 Mar May 14 ~2015~ Happy 100th Anniversary to the U.S. Navy Reserves! Gregg Stevens, AMEDD Civilian Corps Chief and Deputy to the Commanding General, Army Medical Department Center, Ft. Sam Houston. "Saving Lives - New Medical Technology on the Battlefield. Lone Star Regional Meeting, Marriott Residence Inn, Dallas-Ft. Worth/Grapevine Jerry Yellin, P-51 pilot who flew the last combat mission of WWII and national spokesperson for "Keep The Spirit of '45 Alive in 2015!" 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 Lu Ann Reyes Tantara Dr. Austin, TX Advertise Your Business in The Anchor For information go to www. navyleagueaustin.org/ newsletter/asp or kpillmore@austin. rr.com The Anchor, January February

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,) Lu Ann Reyes, Tantara Dr., 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)