The Official Newsletter of the Greater Austin Council Navy League of the United States May June 2014 Citizens in Support of the Sea Services www.navyleagueaustin.org Arthur Nicholson was born in Dallas, finished high school in Enterprise, Alabama, graduated from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, and then graduated from the University of Texas School of Law. After law school, he moved to San Antonio to clerk for a federal district judge. Since then, he has practiced in the area of labor & employment law, and then started writing naval history on the side. He gave a presentation to our Council on his first book, Hostages to Fortune: Winston Churchill and the Loss of the Prince of Wales and Repulse, which was published in the UK in 2005. He is currently working on one book on Operation Bowery and the Battle of Malta, and another book on British Fast Minelayers in World War II. This past February he gave a British Studies talk at the University of Texas on Winston Churchill and the Royal Navy. He is married to Sandy, and they have a son at the University of Texas at Austin in Plan II, and a daughter just finishing the 8th grade. USS Wasp (CV-7), 1940-1942 Distinguished Speaker Dinner Series June 5, 2014 Featured Speaker Arthur Nicholson "Operation Bowery: The USS WASP and the Battle of Malta" USS Wasp, a 14,700 ton aircraft carrier, was built at Quincy, Massachusetts. She was commissioned in April 1940 and spent the next two years in the Atlantic area, taking part in exercises, Neutrality enforcement, short of war operations and early World War II tasks. On May 9, 1942, in Operation Bowery the second attempt to bolster fighter strength on besieged Malta USS Wasp launched 47 RAF Spitfires. The British carrier Eagle accompanied Wasp launching 17 additional Spitfires. The initial attempt by Wasp was done on April 20, under the guise of Operation Calendar. The success of the American carrier s second ferry mission prompts Prime Minister Winston Churchill to observe: Who said a Wasp couldn t sting twice? Wasp was dispatched to the Pacific in June 1942 to reinforce U.S. Naval forces there in the wake of the carrier battles of Coral Sea and Midway and in preparation for offensive operations in the Southern Pacific. In early August, she participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal. The remainder of her service life was devoted to the effort to hold that vital island in the face of Japanese attempts to recapture it. On 15 September 1942, while steaming well to the southward of Guadalcanal, USS Wasp was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19. Uncontrollable gasoline fires forced her abandonment, and she was sunk by torpedoes from an escorting destroyer.
2014 COUNCIL OFFICERS Kathy Pillmore President Vacant President-Elect Vacant (Glenn Looney, acting) Vice President for Membership Stephen Smith Vice President for Development Glenn Looney Vice President for Communications Tim Hunsberger Vice President for Education LuAnn Reyes Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer Vacant (Randy Patterson, acting) Vice President for Military Affairs Jeanie Coffey Vice President for Legislative Affairs Jim Brotherton Vice President for Youth Programs Tim Hunsberger Secretary Vacant 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 Bruce Byron Jeanie Coffey Don Jones Max Miller Randy Patterson Jack Ritter Steve Smith Kathy Pillmore (Ex Officio) 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 www.navyleagueaustin.org. President s Message Kathy Pillmore President, 2014 Greater Austin Council, NLUS June 6, 2014 is the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landing that changed the course of the war in Europe. One can only speculate as to what the world would look like today if the United States had not entered WWII. It s a good time to reflect on the cost of freedom and the heroism of those who earned it for the rest of us. I m sure that there will be many events recalling the pivotal battle at Normandy but none are as important as the simple act of thanking a veteran...any veteran for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for our freedom. In our last newsletter I mentioned my husband and I were going to travel to D.C. with Honor Flight as guardians for a veteran from our neighborhood. I posted pictures of our journey on the GAC s Facebook page and additional pictures were posted on the Honor Flight Austin Facebook page. There were 60 vets on the trip, the largest group to be taken at one time up to that point. It is quite a logistical feat to manage 60 vets, their guardians (each vet has one either traveling with him/her or assisting in Austin and D.C.,) wheel chairs, luggage, meals, transportation including police escorts for three buses. The youngest veteran on the trip was 87 and the oldest 102. It was an exhausting but thoroughly rewarding 36-hour turn-around that starts early Friday morning with 8 a.m.arrival at the airport and departure at 12:30 p.m. Arrival in D.C. around 5:30 dinner (a cocktail or two in the bar) and bedtime. Saturday starts at 6:30 a.m. with breakfast then on the buses for the day-long trek starting at the WWII memorial, then to all other military memorials and Arlington Cemetery. At 4 p.m. it s back to the airport and arrival at ABIA around 8 p.m. to a huge welcome from friends and family. One more spring flight is planned May 30-31, with additional flights scheduled in the fall. If you want to do something personally rewarding I suggest you volunteer to be an Honor Flight Austin Guardian or make a donation to Honor Flight Austin so that every living veteran can make the trip of a lifetime before it is too late. To volunteer send an email with your name as it appears on your drivers license and your date of birth to John Spahr at spahrvfw@yahoo.com There s nothing I dislike more as a member of any organization, much less its president, than to ask for money. Yet, it s that time of year again when the Greater Austin Council must reach out to our community and ask for support to help with the cost of carrying out our mission. Our annual solicitation letter went out in April asking for your help. The Council receives a very nominal portion of the dues you pay so this letter is the primary fundraiser for our organization each year. You should have received 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 512-203-4399 OR EMAIL luann@luannreyes.com ONLINE via PayPal at www.navyleagueaustin.org PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR MEAL WITHOUT A RESERVATION 2 The Anchor, May June 2014 www.navyleagueaustin.org
your letter by now and we ask that you please consider supporting the Council in its efforts to support the sea services. The last time our next distinguished speaker address the Council was September of 2005. He had just published Hostages to Fortune: Winston Churchill and the Loss of the Prince of Wales and Repulse. We welcome Arthur Nicholson back and await with interest the story behind his latest novel. Last but not least a huge thank you to Max Miller who filled in for me at the April dinner while my husband and I enjoyed a little R&R in Ireland and England...thanks Max! Kathy The following Greater Austin Council members have or will complete their current terms of membership in the first half of 2014. The Greater Austin Council heartily thanks each of them them for their support of the the Navy League of the United States and its advocacy for Sea Power and the Sea Services. We look forward to our continuing relationship with them as they renew their memberships to remain in the constituency of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and US Flag Merchant Marine. January 2014 David Wells John F. Yeaman February 2014 Fred McGhee Tom Uhl Dirk Van Allen March 2014 Russell Kuehl April 2014 Tom Howard May 2014 Bob Pillmore Kathy Pillmore Ray Bennett Lu Anne Reyes June 2014 Randal Boston Jim Caldwell Sue Caldwell Bryan Rudy Max Rychlik Joel Seffel Arthur Wharton Beck Wharton Help us keep cadets from Austin area JROTC, UTROTC, Sea Cadet and Young Marine units coming to our dinners. Your adoption or 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. 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 April 17 Adopters Max and Sylvia Miller Jack and Mary Ritter Glenn and Nancy Looney Important Dates in Naval History - June Jun 01 1812 _ War of 1812: U.S. President James Madison asks the Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom. Jun 01 1813 James Lawrence, the mortally wounded commander of the USS Chesapeake, gives his final order: Don t give up the ship! Jun 03 1942 World War II: Japan begins the Aleutian Islands Campaign by bombing Unalaska Island. Jun 04 1942 WW2 Battle of Midway Island begins. Japan s 1st major defeat in WWII. Jun 06 1942 WW2 Battle of Midway. U.S. Navy dive bombers sink the Japanese cruiser Mikuma and four Japanese carriers. Jun 06 1944 WW2 Battle of Normandy begins. D-Day, code named Operation Overlord, commences with the landing of 155,000 Allied troops on the beaches of Normandy in France. The allied soldiers quickly break through the Atlantic Wall and push inland in the largest amphibious military operation in history. Jun 07 1942 WW2 The 4 day Battle of Midway ends. Casualties and losses: US 307- JP 3,057. Jun 09 1959 - The USS George Washington is launched. It is the first submarine to carry ballistic missiles. www.navyleagueaustin.org The Anchor, May June 2014 3
Snapshots from the April 17, 2014 Distinguished Speaker Program &Dinner (Top row) Max Miller with Ralph Morgan. Ralph and wife Julie visit with a Council guest. (Middle Row) Glenn Looney presents a Scroll of Honor to Mary Virginia Pittman-Waller (MVP.) Jim Brother (r) who chaired the Awards Committee this year, presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Bruce Byron. (Bottom row) Brotherton presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Rocky Hulse Senior Science Instructor for the Vista Ridge NJROTC Program and another to the Vista Ridge NJROTC Unit. Brotherton also presented Certificates of Appreciation to Dean and Sharon Nobles for their help at each dinner. (Photos courtesy of Tim Hunsberger) 4 The Anchor, May June 2014 www.navyleagueaustin.org
2014 Greater Austin Council Youth Awards Each year the Council presents Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medals and Certificates to outstanding cadets in local JROTC programs, and a service sword to an outstanding UT Midshipman. The recipients are chosen by their instructors based on criteria that includes academic performance, character, community service and contributions to their individual units. We are pleased to announce this years' award recipients. School/Unit Instructor Awardee William B. Travis H.S. NJROTC CDR Rick Hamblet, USCG (ret) Cadet SN Jose Mata Fredericksburg H.S. NJROTC CAPT George T. Fadok, USN (ret) Cadet LTJG Sierra D. Ottmers Cadet CPO Maria G. Gabby Monzon Georgetown H.S. NJROTC CAPT Wayne Gusman, USCG Cadet CDR Shaelyn Fisher Lehman H.S. NJROTC LCDR John Berry, USN (ret) Cadet PO3 Adrian Gomez Stony Point H.S. NJROTC LCDR Kevin Sanders, USN (ret) Cadet Phillip Gonzalez Round Rock H.S. MCJROTC MAJ Tedd Shimp USMC (ret) Cadet CPL Samantha Fleming New Braunfels H.S. MCJROTC LtCol Mark House, USMC (ret) Cadet SGT Adrian Martinez Hendrickson H.S. MCJROTC LtCol Ronald Weston, USMC (ret) Cadet Sterling Vega Jack C. Hays H.S. MCJROTC LtCol Donald Wimp, USMC (ret) Cadet Victoria Cespedes Brenham H.S. MCJROTC GySgt George Duplessis Cadet 1 st LT Stephen Mosley Vista Ridge H.S. NJROTC CWO Rocky Hulse, USN (ret) Cadet CPO John Devenport Bastrop H.S. National Defense Corps Unit HTC David Canales Cadet Jacob Erwin Navy League Sea Cadets LCDR Cynthia Banks Cadet PO2 Justin K. Deuel UT NROTC Capt. John Eden, CO Midn 1/C Joe Barone Snapshots From the Awards Ceremonies Top Row: (l-r) UR NTROTC Midn 1/C Joe Barone receives an officer's sword from Max Miller. Kathy Pillmore presents the Roosevelt Certificate and Medal to Cadet Victoria Cespedes at the Hays High School NJROTC Assembly. Jim Brotherton presents certificate and medal to Cadet SN Jose Mata at Travis High School's NJROTC awards assembly. Bottom row: U.T.'s "Eyes of Texas" salute. Hendrickson High School's MC JROTC assembly where Randy Patterson presented a certificate and medal to Cadet Sterling Vega. www.navyleagueaustin.org The Anchor, May June 2014 5
Austin VA Clinic: working for our veterans by Glenn Looney Austin has one of the newest and largest Veterans Affairs Medical Clinics in the nation. The recently opened facility is located at 7901 Metropolis Drive/Veterans Blvd. just across US-183 opposite Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Despite the fancy new building and state-of-the-art equipment, Austin VAMC needs volunteer support for activities, which for some reason, are not fully budgeted nor have sufficient manpower to perform. On a daily basis Austin VAMC needs: VOLUNTEERS who may be teenagers (e.g., JROTC Cadets wishing to do community service) or adults. Members of our Council who have the required skill sets and the time can assist the Austin VAMC personnel while providing direct support for our brother and sister veterans. Volunteers can set their own schedule and help as many or as few hours as they are able. More information about the type of volunteer help that is needed and how to apply is available in the Volunteer Services Handbook at http:// navy-league-councils-support.com/austincouncil/flyers/austin_ VA_Vol_Opp_Booklet.pdf. Volunteers may also contact the coordinator of Austin VAMC Volunteer Services by email Michael.Wittrock@va.gov or by telephone at 512-823-4525. Mr. Wittrock, himself a retired Yeoman Chief Petty Officer, is dedicated to the support of our veterans. DONATIONS Austin VAMC will accept cash in any amount as well as in-kind donations. Especially needed are small travel-sized toiletry items such those found in hotel rooms or purchased for your travel kit. Other items include non-perishable packages of snack foods, and writing materials. Additionally, quantities of knitted lap robes, afghans, mittens, stocking caps, scarfs are needed and knitting can be designated as a creditable volunteer assignment. EVENTS Austin VAMC hosts several annual events including: WE NEED YOUR HELP The Greater Austin Council is seeking an individual to coordinate the Council's efforts to support the Veterans Affairs Medical Clinic. Please contact Glenn Looney by phone at 512.593.1422 or email navyleagueaustin@ gmail.com or Kathy Pillmore 512.292.1194 or email kpillmore@ austin.rr.com. National salute to Veterans (each February) Veterans Day (each November 11th) Veterans Christmas Appreciation (the Friday prior to Christmas each year) Volunteer Services also has have Appreciation Tables and cookouts (setup at different times throughout the year) Volunteer support and participation is always needed. Your Greater Austin Council is expanding our local mission to include support for Greater Austin s veterans. Your comments and suggestions about any aspect of this effort are solicited because we will need your help to make this succeed. Please direct your input to the Council email address: navyleagueaustin@gmail.com or Council telephone number (512) 593-1422. Chaplain's Corner Notes from the Field: Navy Chaplains share their stories In Navy Chaplaincy, opportunities to impact the lives of servicemembers abound. Sometimes these are small moments in the course of a routine day. Sometimes these arise out of truly exceptional circumstances. But inevitably, the experiences are powerful and moving. Moments worth writing down and passing along. Where did I give the most important sermon of my life? On a roadside on the outskirts of Al Kut, in Iraq. My chapel was a muddy field. The congregation was of a handful of Marines. This particular sermon was so critical because it was delivered during the opening weeks of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We were all tired, hungry and anxious about what was going to happen in the next hour, day, week. As a Navy Chaplain, you re acutely aware of how important your words are to your Marines. Each word you utter as a Chaplain is a link to hope. Each phrase is an anchor to home. Each sentence is a connection to their faith and God. It wasn t a large congregation; we didn t have a fancy building, a choir or even enough prayer books but I wouldn t have traded places with any other clergyman in the world. Shalom Chaplain Irv Elson, U.S. Navy 6 The Anchor, May June 2014 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 tax deductible contributions to Greater Austin Council NLUS George T. Jones Scholarship Fund c/o Lu Ann Reyes 12901 Tantara Dr. Austin, TX 78729 GAC Program Calendar June 5 July 31 Nov 5 ~2014~ Arthur Nicholson, Attorney and Naval History Author Vice ADM Peter H. Daly, CEO Naval Institute and former Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff U. S. Fleet Forces Command RADM John Butler, USN Ret. VP of Programs & Sr. Naval Advisor, Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors and former Program Exec. Officer-Submarines for the Asst. Secretary of the Navy. BRING A FRIEND TO A GAC DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES DINNER Dec 4 Feb 19 Ray Davis, Former NASA Engineer follows up on Dr. Mark's talk of travelling to the moon. ~2015~ 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 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! May 14 Jerry Yellin, P-51 pilot who flew the last combat mission of WWII Dates are subject to change to accommodate the speaker's schedule. For calendar updates go to www. navyleagueaustin.org Advertise Your Business in The Anchor For information go to www. navyleagueaustin.org/ newsletter/asp or email kpillmore@austin. rr.com www.navyleagueaustin.org The Anchor, May June 2014 7
The ANCHOR Email: GACNavyLeague@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 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, 12902 Tantara Dr., Austin, TX 78729. 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) Your Company s Name Here Ask us how 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 Email 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)