World War II took R.V. Burgin from the cotton

The ANCHOR The Official Newsletter of the Navy League of the United States Greater Austin Council March April 2010 Citizens in Support of the Sea Services www.navyleagueaustin.org COUNCIL OFFICERS Randy Patterson President Bruce Byron Immediate Past President Jeanie Coffey Vice President for Legislative Affairs Randy Patterson Vice President for Education Kathy Pillmore Vice President for Communications Bruce Byron Vice President for Administration Vacant Vice President for Business Partnerships Ray Roark Vice President for Finance Lee Hagan Vice President for Youth Programs Jim Brotherton Vice President for Military Affairs Brian Colfack Secretary Kaye Johanson Assistant Secretary Michael Murray Judge Advocate Tom Griffy Chaplain NATIONAL DIRECTORS Jeanie Coffey Glenn Looney Max Miller Jack Ritter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Max Miller, Chairman Jim Brotherton Bruce Byron Jeanie Coffey George Haley 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 Mike Spence, USN CO UT NROTC LCDR Mike Evans USN CO Naval Operations Support Center Lee Hagan Navy & Marine Corps JROTC Jack Mayo Commissionings Penguin. OUR NEXT Distinguished Speaker Program THURSDAY 29 APRIL 2010 R. V. BURGIN WWII Marine Corps Veteran and author of Island of the Damned World War II took R.V. Burgin from the cotton fields of Jewett to some of the most horrific fighting of the Pacific Theater, none worse than on the hellish little coral island of Peleliu. There, Burgin and his fellow Marines battled their way into history books, including his own just-released autobiography, Islands Of The Damned, published by Burgin was the platoon sergeant to Eugene Sledge who authored the WWII classic, With the Old Breed. A decorated combat veteran of the epic U.S. Marine campaigns on New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Burgin (along with Sledge) will be portrayed in the Steven Spielberg-Tom Hanks miniseries, HBO s The Pacific. Now 87 and living in Lancaster, near Dallas, Burgin says he s very happy about the miniseries, because you could stop 100 people on the street and ask them about Peleliu, and I bet there wouldn t be one or two who d even hear of Peleliu, much less known there was a battle fought there. Over the course of 10 episodes, The Pacific may be able to educate a new genera- Continued on page 2 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: 512-327-7413 rglennl@alumni.utexas.net

President s Message Those of you who have been watching the Spielberg/ Hanks WW2 HBO series The Pacific will surely be interested in our next Distinguished Speaker event, and those who have not yet seen any of the series will be in for a treat. R. V. Burgin, who was a Marine platoon sergeant in the 1st Marine Division in the battles on New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa, has written a book Islands of the Damned Randy Patterson President, Greater Austin Council about those days of incredibly difficult and costly fighting. He will comment on his experiences and have books available for signing. See the accompanying announcement and make your reservations TODAY. We are expecting a good turnout for this meeting. I have attended and presented Navy League awards at a few of the award ceremonies at some of the eleven high school Navy and/or Marine Corps Junior ROTC units that our Council supports, as well as the William B. Travis unit of the Navy Sea Cadets. As in the past, I was impressed by the high caliber and enthusiasm of these young folks, and the high standards of their instructors. We sometimes focus on the current problems of the sea services, (and this is appropriate in these turbulent times) to the exclusion of the future sailors, marines and Coast Guard men and women that will be the backbone of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard long after many of us are gone. Support of these units, which produce significant inputs to our service academies and the increasingly technical enlisted ranks is one of the Navy League s most important activities. I encourage all of you to welcome and talk with these young cadets and midshipmen that attend our dinner meetings, and then to support and follow these ROTC units at your local high school. We lost long time Navy Leaguer Dr. J. Christopher Reynolds who passed away suddently on February 5, 2010. Our condolences to his family. Many thanks to Richard Coffey and Great American Financial Resources for their annual donation of $200 to the George Jones Scholarship fund. Finally, we are still in need of a Council Vice President for Education, who oversees and coordinates programs, program logistics, and the Council speakers bureau. This is an excellent and interesting way to be more active in the Greater Austin Council, and provide rewarding input to the mission of our Council. Please contact me (512-257-3464) or Max Miller (512-345- 7627) if you are interested in this position. Randy R. V. Burgin, Continued from page 1 tions of Americans about the horrors of World War II in the same way that its 2001 predecessor, Band of Brothers, chronicled the European front. There s no way that I can express my feelings, says the retired postal worker. He remains as reed-thin as he was during his Marine Corps days, with a mind and wit as sharp as a bayonet according to Michael Granberry of the Dallas Morning News, who interviewed Burgin for an article that was reprinted in the Austin American-Statesman, Thursday, April 8, 2010. F R E E NAVY LEAGUE MEMBERSHIPS Here is a short-term offer to assist you as a Navy League member in sponsoring a new member. Or, non-members may apply directly. Ten (10) one-year Navy League and Greater Austin Council memberships (a $50 value) are available for those wishing to join the Navy League. The offer is open to any new member who wants support the sea services and become an active member of the Navy League of the United States and the Greater Austin Council. As the Marines say, we need a few good men and women. Learn more at www.navyleague.org and www.navyleagueaustin.org. To obtain a free Navy League and Greater Austin Council membership, complete the application form on the back of this newsletter and and send it by 31 March 2010 to: Glenn Looney, NLUS Lone Star Region President Free Navy League Membership Offer 14 Chapin Lane Austin, TX 78746-2542 Former members are invited to renew their Navy League memberships by sending their application with a check or credit card number. 2 The Anchor, March April 2010 www.navyleagueaustin.org

Max Miller NLUS National Director and Chairman of the Board Greater Austin Council Legislative Affairs Report The Lone Star Region Legislative Affairs Team consisting of Jeanie Coffey, Max Miller, and Jack Ritter were busy recently contacting Members of Congress (MOCs) and making standard Navy League presentations to them. Coffey contacted the congressional office staff and worked very hard to set up appointments that took place March 29 to April 9, 2010 when Congress was not in session. Ritter and Miller spent three days in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where they were joined by local Navy Leaguers to make the presentations. The goal was to have a member of the local NL Council assigned to each MOC to provide continuity with Congressional offices and staff that are spread out over the expansive Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Lone Star Region Team visited six Congressional offices where they talked to the legislative assistants. They also made three presentations to Members of Congress: Kay Granger, Pete Sessions, and Eddie Bernice Johnson. An additional appointment was made by Max Miller for a Fort Worth Navy League member to make a presentation to his local congressman. In each case we tried to have a constituent go with us to visit the MOC. This strategy of making presentations with a local NL person and a constituent allowed us to train Navy Leaguers new to the Legislative Affairs Grassroots Program. The presentations stressed the need for support of funding the 313-ship Navy and increased funding for the Coast Guard Deepwater shipbuilding program. The need for increased operating funds for the Coast Guard versus a decrease as currently proposed for FY 2011 was also emphasized. Nick Harper, Dallas NL Council; Ann Harper, President Dallas NL Council; MOC Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-30), Max Miller and Jack Ritter (l - r) Jack Ritter, Max Miller, MOC Pete Sessions (R-32,) RADM Robert Moore, USN Ret. member of the Dallas NL Council. (l - r) Jack Ritter, Alan Paddack, President Ft. Worth Council; MOC Kay Granger (R-12,) and Max Miller University of Texas Midshipmans Foundation initiates RADM Robert M. Moore scholarship The University of Texas Midshipmans Foundation finances scholarships and swords for honor graduates, and additional professional development for midshipmen and officer candidates at the University of Texas NROTC unit. RADM Robert M. Moore, USN (SC), the 38 th Chief of the Supply Corps served with distinction until his retirement in 1996. He was a graduate of UT NROTC. In 2009 RADM Moore received the Navy Supply Corps Lifetime Achievement Award for his continued support of the Supply Corps Community. He passed away October 4, 2009. The Midshipmans Foundation started Rear Admiral Robert M. Moore Scholarship. After total donations reach $25,000 a scholarshipin his name will be given annually to a UT NROTC Midshipman. Additional information will be available at the Apr. 29 Navy League meeting or you may contact Max Miller at 512-345-7927 or maxk@austin.rr.com for more details. www.navyleagueaustin.org The Anchor, March April 2010 3

Snapshots from the February 25, 2010 Distinguished Speaker Program &Dinner Guest speaker LCDR Michael Evans, CO, Navy Operations Support Center receives a token of appreciation from Council president, Randy Patterson. Council JAG, Mike Murray (left) briefs Glenn Looney on the latest legal issues. Chess anyone? MIDN Goodrich is one of several lucky raffle winners. Capt. Mike Spence (right), CO of the UT ROTC brought two guests to dinner: MIDN 4/ C Joseph Wright and MIDN 3/C John Goodrich Capt. Bob Breed,USN (left) is a guest of Sam Williams (center), shown here with Max Miller. Several members of the Greater Austin Council attended the Navy League meeting of the Fleet Admiral Nimitz Council in Fredericksburg on March 4th. General Michael W. Hagee, USMC Retired, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, was the speaker. General Hagee is currently executive director of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation. Photos courtesy of Max Miller Pictured back row (l - r) Renna Darby, Kaye Patterson, Nancy Brotherton; front row (l-r) Horace Johnson, Kitty Larson, Nancy Looney. Pictured (l - r) Randy Patterson, Phil Darby, Lee Hagan, and Jim Brotherton. 4 The Anchor, March April 2010 www.navyleagueaustin.org

Welcome the new UT NROTC Commanding Officer Daniel N. Dixon, USN, Military Assistant, Director, Defense Research and Engineering August 20 a new CO checks into the UT NROTC office, taking over the reins from CAPT Mike (Trapper) Spence who is retiring. Captain Dan Dixon was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland and attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1983. After graduation, Captain Dixon completed graduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin earning a Masters Degree in Physics in 1984. He then went on to flight training at Pensacola, Florida and Meridian, Mississippi and received his wings in August 1986. After completing FA-18 training at VFA-125, he was assigned to VFA-161 from July 1987 until the squadron was decommissioned in February 1988, at which time he reported to VFA-25. During this tour with the Fist of the Fleet, he made two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). Captain Dixon was then selected to attend the Empire State Pilot School at RAF Boscombe Down, UK in 1991, with follow-on orders to VX-4 in Point Mugu, California. During his assignment to VX-4, Captain Dixon was assigned duties as the exchange test pilot with the United States Air Force 413th Test Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. In May 1994, he was again back at Naval Air Station Lemoore and assigned to VFA-97 for his department head tour where he made Western Pacific Deployments with both CVW-15 and CVW-11, onboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). In January 1997, Captain Dixon reported to Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, Nevada, as a TOPGUN Instructor until reporting back to Naval Air Station Lemoore in December 1998 for his assignment as VFA-25 Executive Officer and Commanding Officer where he deployed in August 2000 in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH onboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). Following his command tour, Captain Dixon reported once again to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, Nevada where he served as both the TOPGUN and Strike Department Heads from October 2001 until June 2004. He served as Deputy Director, Combined Air Operations Center, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar from October 2004 through January 2005 enroute to Carrier Air Wing Eight where he served as both Deputy Commander and Air Wing Commander until August 2008. During his CAG tour, Captain Dixon deployed onboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In September 2008, Captain Dixon reported to his current position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Captain Dixon has been married for 26 years to the former Rebecca Messer, they have four children; ENS Paul (24), MIDN 1/C Aaron (21), Elena (18), and Evan (11). Lone Star Region Annual Conference Set for May 14 15 The 2010 LSR Conference is set for Friday and Saturday, May 14 15 at the Rockport Yacht Club, 722 Navigation Blvd., Rockport, TX. Felix Keeley and his South Texas Area Council are the hosts for this year s conference. The tentative schedule follows: Friday, May 14 1330-1630 Nominating Committee meets 1700 Happy Hour and Social, Rockport Yacht Club 1930 Dinner @ Latitude, 2802 Coastal Cuisine Restaurant, 105 N. Austin, St., Rockport, TX (http://wwwlatitude2802.com) Order from the menu/separate checks ($20-$25) Saturday, May 15 0900-1630 LSR Conference convenes (Advanced reservation and payment requested. Incls. lunch) 1800 Catered Dinner, Rockport Yacht Club ($15) The conference is targeted toward council presidents, area presidents and national directors, council vice presidents-legislative affairs and council representatives of Community Service Organization Presentation Program (CSOP) are also encouraged to be present for advanced training and guidance. Council directors and officers are also invited and encouraged to attend. Spouses and family are welcome. ~ Reservations by May 1, 2010 ~ For Conference Attendance only: Glenn Looney lonestar-nlus@austin.rr.com For Social Events/Meals and Payments: Felix Keeley f_keeley@yahoo.com, (361)790-3535 1709 Sorenson Drive, Rockport, TX 78382 Rockport Yacht Club www.navyleagueaustin.org The Anchor, March April 2010 5

T H E O D O R E R O O S E V E LT N L Y O U T H M E D A L S 2 0 0 9 2 0 1 0 Each year, under the leadership of Lee Hagan, the Greater Austin Council, NLUS presents awards to outstanding Sea Cadets and high school JROTC cadets. Below is a listing of the awards being presented this year, and those yet to be named. SEA CADETS William B. Travis Division Navy League Cadet Corps William B. Travis Division Navy League Sea Cadet Corps League Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Thomas D. Wintenburg Sea Cadet Petty Officer Third Class James D. Pruitt JUNIOR ROTC: HIGH SCHOOL Bastrop High School NJROTC (LCDR Joe Cave) Fredericksburg High School NJROTC (Capt Gene Garrett) Georgetown High School NJROTC (Capt Wayne Gusman) Jack C. Hays High School MCJROTC (Maj David Hamil) Lehman High School, Kyle, Texas (LCDR John Berry) New Braunfels High School MCJROTC (LtCol Carey Weston) Round Rock High School MCJROTC (Maj Jeffery Rey) Round Rock High School MCJROTC (Maj Jeffery Rey) Marksmanship Award Stony Point High School NJROTC (LCDR Kevin Sanders) Travis High School NJROTC (WO2 Calvin Henry) Brenham High School MCJROTC (Capt Tofel) Cadet Chief Petty Officer Deacon C. Peterson Cadet Second Lieutenant Carl Sheldon Cadet Chief Petty Officer Gonzalo Diaz Cadet Second Lieutenant Ariel Brown Cadet First Lieutenant Robert Royer Cadet Chief Petty Officer Angelica Frias UT NROTC students attend Naval Leadership Weekend at the University of Notre Dame MIDN 2/C Tara Elliott and 3/C Erick Zuber recently traveled to South Bend, Indiana to attend the Naval Leadership Weekend Conference. The participating midshipmen were treated to briefs and asked questions of several Navy and Marine Corps leaders. The first lecture was by CDR Mark A. Becker, USN, deputy chair for the Warfare Analysis and Research Department of the United States Naval War College s Center for Naval Warfare Studies and a graduate of the University of Texas. It was followed by a lecture from CDR Kristy Doyle, USN, Commanding Officer of the PCU FREEDOM BLUE crew about the future of the U.S. Navy and the Littoral Combat Ship. First Sgt. William Bodette held the audience s attention with stories and examples of leadership exploits of officers he has served under and how the enlisted man views the officer. UT MIDN Erick Zuber (seated) shares a meal with new friends. The highlight of the final evening was dinner with Lieutenant General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., Commanding General of the First Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Forces Central Command, who gave a speech about the current state of the Marine Corps and the direction it is headed. The midshipmen came away from the Notre Dame Naval Leadership Weekend feeling better able to lead men and women and handle what the future has in store for them. 6 The Anchor, March April 2010 www.navyleagueaustin.org

*Please Note* Due to an increase in meeting expenses, the cost of meals had to be raised to $30 for members and their guests. The increase also helps to offset the cost of meals for uniformed military, cadets and midshipmen. Thank you for understanding. CSOP uses grassroots approach to spreading the word about Navy League The Navy League US has kicked off a grassroots public education initiative workshop series called Community Service Orientation Presentation (CSOP.) According to Daniel Branch, President of NLUS, This program is aimed at reaching members of service organizations in communities such as Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis, among many others. We now have a new presentation aimed at this audience that introduces the Navy League, and describes a key issue from our Maritime Policy, the decline in size of the Navy s fleet. Modeled after Grass Roots Presentation One for Members of Congress, the new Community Service Organization Presentation (CSOP) specifically asks members of service organizations to consider contacting their Member of Congress about the decline in fleet size. At the same time, the presentation provides the opportunity to ask those listening to the presentation to consider joining the Navy League. We may also be able to establish partnering opportunities with other organizations as a result of the program. The program replicates the highly successful Legislative Affairs presentations on a local level. Initial training for Council officers and other interested individuals is taking place in April (8th and 22nd) via telephone. The sessions take approximately 45 minutes including questions and answers. Future training sessions have not yet been scheduled. The actual presentations are available as a Word Document or PowerPoint Presentation. If you are interested in learning more about this unique approach to informing the public about the importance of supporting our sea services and possibly recruiting more members to Navy League, please let Greater Austin Council President Randy Patterson, or any Council officer know and you will be apprised of the next scheduled training opportunities. GAC Calendar 29 Apr Distinguished Speaker Program R.V. Burgin, USMC WW II Veteran and author of Island of the Damned about the battle of Peleliu. 12 May Stony Point NROTC Awards & Change of Command Ceremony, 2:30 pm, Stony Point High School. Contact LCDR Kevin Sanders 512-428-7279(O) or 512-507- 8378 for info. 14 May Lone Star Regional Conference, Rockport Yacht Club (see article, p.5) 20 May UT NROTC Commissioning Ceremony, Texas State Capitol Senate Chamber 21 May UT ROTC Joint Commissioning Ceremony, Bates Concert Hall, UT 24 Jun Distinguished Speaker Program Speaker TBA 20 Aug NROTC Unit Change of Command and CAPT Spence retirement, Texas State Capitol Senate Chamber 26 Aug Distinguished Speaker Program Speaker TBA 21 Oct Distinguished Speaker Program Speaker TBA 2 Dec Distinguished Speaker Program & Annual Meeting/Awards Speaker TBA Dates are subject to change to accommodate the speaker. For calendar updates go to www.navyleagueaustin.org George T. Jones, 1926-2003 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 contributions to Greater Austin Council NLUS George T. Jones Scholarship Fund c/o Ray Roark 10709 Fountainbleu Circle Austin, TX 78750 Donations are tax deductible www.navyleagueaustin.org The Anchor, March April 2010 7

The ANCHOR Kathy Pillmore, Editor 10001 Jupiter Hills Drive Austin, TX 78747 email: kpillmore@austin.rr.com 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 Supporting the U. S. Sea Services 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, 10001 Jupiter Hills Drive, Austin, TX 78747; or Sam Williams, 3509 Arrowhead Dr., Austin, TX 78731-4801. 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 Email Card# Exp. Date Sponsor s Last Name Sponsor s Membership # New Member s Council Signature Billing Zip Code