+++++THE ANCHOR THE GREATER CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 CITIZENS IN SUPPORT OF THE SEA SERVICES WWW.CENTEXNAVYLEAGUE.ORG OFFICERS Jim Brotherton President Bruce Byron President elect Max Miller Past President Tim Hunsberger VP Administration Lee Hagan VP Operations Ned Ash VP Education Jeanie Coffey VP Legislative Affairs Jack Mayo Secretary George Haley Treasurer Michael Murray Judge Advocate National Directors Jack Ritter Glenn Looney Max Miller Board Of Directors Max Miller Chairman Jim Brotherton Jack Ritter Glenn Looney Tom Uhl Kathy Pillmore Randy Patterson Steve Smith Jack Mayo David Wells Peggy Jones Liaisons Joe Cruz Military Coalition Tom Uhl Navy Reserve Steve Smith Marine Corps Nita Wathen Fleet Reserve Jack Ritter UT NROTC CAPT Gabe Salazar CO UT NROTC CDR Dan Starling CO N&MCRTC Lee Hagan JN&JMROTC Jack Mayo USS Texas (SSN775) Joe Lamendola Sea Cadets NOTICE OF PROGRAM: THURSDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2007 The GREATER CENTERAL TEXAS COUNCIL of the NAVY LEAGUE of the UNITED STATES will hold its next program Thursday 27 September at the AUSTIN WOMAN S CLUB ( CHATEAU BELLEVUE ) located at the corner of San Antonio Street and 8th Street. Access to the entrance and parking area is off San Antonio Street or from the rear on Nueces Street between 7th and 8th Streets. Parking is Free!! Ignore the signs. SOCIAL HOUR: 1815 DINNER: 1915 PROGRAM: 2015 ADJOURN: 2115 All Navy League meetings are open to the public, military or civilians. No prior military service is required for membership. Extend this invitation to your associates. Your family and guests are welcome. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED BY 1600 Tuesday 25 September 2007 CALL GLENN LOONEY: (512) 327-7413 (rglennl@alumni.utexas.net) The Greater Central Texas Council presents : Dr. Thomas M. Hatfield Director and Senior Research Fellow The Institute for Studies in American Military History, University of Texas Center for American History Topic: Recording and Preserving History Dr. Hatfield heads the newly formed University of Texas Institute for Studies in American Military History. During his career in the higher education field, Dr. Hatfield has served as the founding president of a community college in Richmond, Virginia; as the associate commissioner of the Texas Coordinating Board for Higher Education; and as the founding president of Austin Community College. He is a former president of the English- Speaking Union and of the University Continuing Education Association of the USA. As an internationally known scholar in the field of military history, Dr. Hatfield is a Senior Research Fellow in the UT Center for American History. He was a founding faculty member of the UT Austin Normandy Scholar Program, an undergraduate honors program focused on World War II. He also leads study tours to historic battlefields of the war in Europe and to islands in the Central and South Pacific. He is a national media consultant and writer on World War II military affairs. His current scholarship includes writing a biography of James Earl Rudder, war hero and president of Texas A&M University (1958-1970). Inside: City of Austin receives mementos of USS Austin, page 2 Council hosts Senator Cornyn, page 4 UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS Program: Vice Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr., Chief of Naval Personnel, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education) Program: RADM Dan W. Davenport, Director, Assessment Division/Capability Analysis Group (OPNAV N81/N00X) 8 November (Thursday) 7 December (Friday)
PAGE 2 www.centexnavyleague.org The ANCHOR Greater Central Texas Council and City of Austin Honor the USS Austin (LPD-4) Twenty-three members and friends of the Greater Central Texas Council gathered in the atrium of Austin's impressive new City Hall on the afternoon of 20 August to join with Mayor Will Wynn and City Manger Toby Futrell in honoring USS Austin (LPD-4), our city's namesake ship. The centerpiece of the ceremony was a presentation on behalf of the Council of a beautiful and detailed painting of the USS Austin for inclusion in City Hall's USS Austin exhibit. The painting was rendered by Council member Bill Lacy, a nationally renown military artist. Glenn Looney, representing the Council, and Bill Lacy, noted military artist and Council member, presented the painting to the City as Mayor Wynn and City Manger Futrell removed the veil to the applause of the members and guests. (By the way, some seven people present had sailed on USS Austin in the 1990's and in 2000 joining the ship in Norfolk or Key West and riding her to Galveston for a Texas port visit.) As a bonus, the Council then awarded the City the last National Ensign to fly over USS Austin, that being on 27 September 2006, her last day in commission. Member Horace Johnson donated this flag for the presentation. Mayor Wynn expressed very genuine gratitude for the additions to the USS Austin exhibit. He stated that even though the City maintains other exhibits of art in the City Hall which are changed and updated regularly, it is the USS Austin exhibit that draws the most attention and favorable comment. In noting another flag from USS Austin mounted in City Hall that was well used and tattered, City Manager Futrell observed that it looked like it had flown over a City Council meeting. Finally, Glenn Looney presented Mayor Wynn with the Navy League of the United States "Challenge Medal", a striking multi-colored coin featuring the Navy League logo on the face and the logos of the four Sea Services on the obverse. Mayor Wynn graciously accepted the coin. He and Ms. Futrell then engaged those present in conversation hearing a few USS Austin cruise stories along the way and posing for pictures with Council members, Bill Lacy, and CDR Karl Hilberg, Executive Officer, University of Texas NROTC Unit and CDR Gilbert Lara, Commanding Officer, Navy Operations Support Center, Austin, representing the active duty U. S. Navy at the ceremony. Our special thanks to Bill Lacy who conceived the idea of painting a "portrait" of USS Austin and presenting it to the City. His painting so expertly captured the ship's detail and illustrated the mission of the ship by depicting amphibious operations using landing craft and helicopters. Members of the Council and representatives of local US Navy units with Mayor Wynn and City Manager Futrell (holding flag) Mayor Wynn and Bill Lacy
The ANCHOR www.centexnavyleague.org PAGE 3 President s Message : Jim Brotherton This Fall promises to be a full and active time for the Greater Central Texas Council of the Navy League. On 27 September our program will be the kickoff event for the University of Texas Navy ROTC annual reunion. Our speaker will be Dr. Hatfield from the University of Texas who will be conducting interviews with the WWII NROTC veterans as part of the development of an oral history of UT WWII graduates. The UT NROTC midshipmen will provide the color guard. Additionally about 13 midshipmen will be presented scholarships from the UT NROTC Midshipmen s Foundation. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. In the next week or so you will receive in the mail our annual request for council support. This council levies no dues but still needs funding to support our youth programs and our Distinguished Speaker Programs. We also need your volunteer support as an officer, director or committee member. Every member is a recruiter. We need your support in getting new members and if you haven t renewed yet, please do so. On November 8 th we will have as our speaker VADM Harvey, the Chief of Naval Personnel who will be in town for the UT NROTC Navy/ Marine Ball on 9 November. Our Distinguished Speaker Programs will close out the year with RADM Davenport on 7 December (Pearl Harbor Day)-note that this is on Friday. Stay tuned for details on time changes from our normal dinner times. As I indicated in the last Anchor, the University of Texas NROTC will be conducting its 25 th annual Run-to-Dallas event this October in anticipation of the 102 nd Red River Football rivalry (UT and OU). Coach Mack Brown will pass the unit a game ball that will be run from Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin to the Cotton Bowl stadium in Dallas. The NROTC Unit is looking for sponsors to donate funds or items that the unit will need during the event (payable to UT NROTC) or for charity support payable to The Lance Armstrong Foundation. Send either check to the following address: LT Rob Yovich, RAS 110, 1 University Station C3604, Austin, TX 78712. Please support the midshipmen in any way you can. They even have a website: www.runtodallas.com I look forward to seeing you at the next distinguished speaker dinner on September 27th. Sea Service Web Sites navy.togetherweserved.com is a great Navy community web site. Lot's of great Navy info, history, sea stories, multimedia, etc. on a well-maintained and trustworthy site. They also issue a fantastic newsletter which is linked below. Check it out. You will enjoy. For Marines, there is a sister web site marines.togetherweserved.com. National Director: Jack Ritter ( Note: This is the third of a three part report on our Navy League Legislative Affairs initiatives) I think all of us can profit by taking another look at why the Navy League exists. The mission statement is pretty clear and is worth reviewing. Navy League of the United States: Mission Statement A civilian Organization dedicated to informing the American people and their government that the United States of America is a maritime nation and that its national defense and economic well being are dependent upon strong sea services United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and United States Merchant Marine. On the 20 November 2006 the Greater Central Texas Briefing Team spent almost one hour meeting personally with Senator John Cornyn. We discussed the Naval ROTC program, the NJROTC Program, the Sea Cadet Program and out other activities supporting the Maritime Services. We covered the need for a 313 ship Navy as proposed by the CNO, Admiral Mike Mullen. This was a good day for the Navy League; John Cornyn is our friend. The Lone Star Goal for 2007 is to personally brief as many of the our remaining 13 Members of Congress (MOC) as possible. Some of these MOC are not located near our local active councils and that makes it difficult to meet with them personally. The National Steering Committee has a new program to provide alternatives approaches in these cases. In addition to our Standard Legislative Brief, the Legislative Affairs Vice President will ask us to send messages to our MOC on supporting programs important to our Sea Services. Some issues that we have supported in the past are the Osprey MV22 aircraft program, the transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, the proposed DD(X) program, and the military payday loan law. We all want to continue to support the maritime services in such issues when requested. For me personally, it is an honor to be part of a program that supports our national security by exercising our rights as citizens to petition our government.
PAGE 4 www.centexnavyleague.org The ANCHOR Greater Central Texas Council Hosts Senator Cornyn On 24 August, 2007 GCTC hosted a reception for Senator Cornyn. He visited with a large number of attendees and the turnout was very good (in case you missed it). He was briefed with the newest Legislative Affairs update that states the Navy League supports Admiral Mullen s shipbuilding agenda. Senator Cornyn stated at our meeting that he strongly believes in the shipbuilding plan. This exemplifies how the Legislative Affairs program works. We briefed the Senator and found that he was receptive to what we stated. He publicly supported the goals of the CNO in his talk to us. On 2 June, 2007 US Senator John Cornyn was presented with a certificate making him an honorary member of the US Navy League. The September issue of SEAPOWER magazine contains an article relating to the importance of the Navy League s Legislative Affairs program, and it contains a picture taken at that event. Our Greater Central Texas Council is only a part of the article, but we have the only picture involved. At the reception, Senator Cornyn announced that he was proud to be an honorary member of the Navy League and pleased to speak to us. At the reception Bull Walker, President of the Lone Star Region of the Navy League, presented Senator Cornyn with a Navy League lapel pin and their picture is shown. Bull Walker also presented Senator Cornyn with a Navy League coin provided by John Panneton, National President of the Navy League. Also, Walt Wilson, President of the Alamo Council, presented Senator Cornyn with a baseball cap with USS San Antonio and the word Senator on it. The Greater Central Texas Council has already received good publicity from our dealings with Senator Cornyn and we hope to continue our strong efforts with other Members of Congress. Bull Walker, President of the Lone Star Region of the Navy League, presents Senator Cornyn with a Navy League lapel pin. Walt Wilson, President of the Alamo Council of the Navy League, presents Senator Cornyn with a USS San Antonio ball cap.
The ANCHOR www.centexnavyleague.org PAGE 5 MEMORIES OF THE OUR PROGRAM ON 16 AUGUST AND OUR GUEST, REAR ADMIRAL MARY LANDRY, US COAST GUEARD, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, US COAST GUARD Jim Brotherton presents Captain Wayne Gusman, USCG (Retired) with the Navy League Certificate of Appreciation for the support the Council receives from the Georgetown HS JNROTC.
PAGE 6 www.centexnavyleague.org The ANCHOR Vice President Education: Ned Ash Bet you didn t know. Summer is usually a great time to relax and reflect on where we have been and where we are headed. With our troops in harms way, I find myself reflecting instead on daily news reports from the front and their affect on our military readiness. I often wonder what I can do to contribute to our nation s success considering the incredible threats that our naval forces face. The Greater Central Texas Navy League speakers we have hosted over the past few months have helped me to understand my role in this time of turmoil. VADM John Cotton influenced me the most with his startling statistics on recruiting efforts for all of the services. He remarked that for the first time, the Army awards recruiting bonuses to civilians who convince young men and women to serve their country. While the Marines are winning the fight, he mentioned that the Navy and Air Force are drawing from a decreasing pool of qualified high school and college graduates. RADM Mary Landry said that the Coast Guard is not having recruiting difficulties, because their relatively small end strength of law enforcement personnel are attracted to life-saving missions and preserving homeland defense in coastal waters. What then is my role as a recent veteran to enhance the prospects of our future naval readiness? I have decided to stay abreast of current events by reading relevant literature and discussing my analysis with those who are interested. In particular, I direct my comments toward those who can support our naval service. Last week I found myself advising old shipmates on sea service accomplishments and changes in the force, while vacationing on the beach in Bermuda. I regularly speak with young adults at work, church and in the community who want to know more about life in the military. While my grown children have heard most of my sea stories (several times), I find that their friends and school-mates are the most responsive. Several of them have requested letters of recommendation or advice on which service or rating to enter. I am grateful for the information I absorbed at the University of Texas Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. Sharing this information with others is gratifying to say the least. I was particularly grateful when I received an unexpected email from a young college student who told me he had one year remaining to complete his physics degree. What would it take to get accepted into the nuclear power program? I told him that his chosen major would give him a leg up on the strenuous competition that lay ahead of him. I explained the whole person concept of the successful naval officer and that academics, while very important, would not ensure success. Health and physical fitness are also part of the criteria. Finally and maybe most importantly are ethics and the ability to make crucial decisions under stressful conditions. Are you sure you are still interested? Even though the rewards last a life-time, the quality of life and sacrifice is not for everyone. The candidate assured me that he was prepared for the lengthy series of tests and interviews made infamous by Admiral Hyman Rickover. I ll bet you didn t know that Admiral Kirkland Donald, Director Nuclear Propulsion Program was so impressed with my nephew, that he accepted him into the Nuclear Power Candidate program. Vice President Legislative Affairs: Jeanie Coffey The reception for United States Senator John Cornyn on Friday evening 24 August was an unqualified success. In addition to compliments from our own Council members, we received praise from our guests representing the Association of the U. S. Army as well as strong positive feedback from the Senator s staff. A two-page article (pp 72,73) in the September 2007 edition of Seapower magazine about grass roots legislative initiatives included this event and featured a large (2-column) photo taken during the reception. Congratulations to Max Miller for this well organized and well run event. Vice President Administration: Tim Hunsberger The Council membership is at 262. We encourage all of you to recruit new members. There are no dues other than the annual membership to the National Organization for which members receive the latest news, magazines and other information relative to the state of the Sea Services. Between now and 1 October we have 28 members who will need to renew their membership. If you need help in renewing you can go to our website: www.centexnavyleague.org Or forward the form on the back of this newsletter as indicated.
The ANCHOR www.centexnavyleague.org PAGE 7 Council Operating Fund Treasurer George Haley summarized the council s financial affairs, noting that we have $6712.56 in our checking account, and $11,929.10 in our Scholarship Fund. Based on the current interest rates we require at least $20,000 to support an annual award and have the principal maintain itself from interest. A stipend check will be going to UT NROTC next week to be used for the benefit of the battalion Don t forget to include a contribution to the Council s operations fund. Send your donations to George Haley, 5616 Gorham Glen Lane, Austin Texas 78739-1741 or better yet, bring it to the next program. See you there. National Convention Every member of the Navy League is eligible to attend the national convention of the Navy League of the United States. The 2007 convention runs 30 October through 4 November at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert California. Contact Glenn for additional information. Also see http://www.navyleaguenationalconvention.org/ Council Notes The council s Board of Directors will meet soon with the agenda that will include appointment of both a Nominating Committee and an Awards Committee. Officers and Directors for 2008 will be elected during the Council s annual membership meeting, the final dinner meeting of this year, December 7. Sea Cadet Liaison Joe Lamendola, who recently transferred to GCTC from the National Council, is now our Sea Cadet Liaison Color Guards (Sep/Nov/Dec) NROTC University of Texas will provide color guard for 27 September; Travis High School will provide the color guard on November 8, and New Braunfels High School s color guard will handle our December 7 meeting. UT NROTC 24 scholarship midshipmen, 5 midshipmen in the college program, and 3 active duty enlisted students are joining the Unit this fall. UT s NROTC Alumni Foundation will award $23,000 in scholarships to deserving members of the Battalion this year. UT NROTC Reunion weekend: Dinner with WWII Alumni kicks off the reunion weekend Friday night, September 28. Annual meeting will take place 10 am on September 29, followed by UT s home football game (UT v Kansas State) and a BBQ dinner. Traditionally many UT NROTC Alumni return to Austin in time for our GCTC dinner Thursday evening, September 27. Dr. Tom Hatfield s University of Texas Center for American History will videotape interviews with our World War II veterans. UT will archive them. This project will cover all UT ROTC members who served our country in time of war. Coach Mack Brown has signed the football that midshipmen will run from D. K. Royal Memorial Stadium to the Cotton Bowl. The run starts October 4. The game is Oct 6. Go to www.utexas.edu/rotc/navymarine/ for details on the Cotton Bowl game ball event. Special Event Austin Harmony Chorus Presents: You re in the Army Now Join the women of the Austin Harmony Chorus as they share War Stories and Music! Saturday September 29 7:30 PM, Manchaca United Methodist Church, Family Life Center, FM 1626 at Manchaca Road. Tickets: $15 General Admission, $13 Military in uniform, $10 children under 12 Order Tickets by e-mail at austinharmony@austinharmony.org or call 512-327-1827 Austin Harmony Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, is a 501 (3) non-profit organization. Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. This independent, nonprofit music education association is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women.
PAGE 8 www.centexnavyleague.org The ANCHOR THE ANCHOR DAVID WELLS, EDITOR 1801 WARNER RANCH RD #1113 ROUND ROCK TEXAS 78664 EMAIL: DWELLS04@EARTHLINK.NET FIRST CLASS MAIL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED THE ANCHOR is the official newsletter of the Greater Central Texas Council of the Navy League of the United States. It is published semi-monthly and distributed free of charge to all its members and to other interested parties. The Greater Central Texas Council is exempt from the Limited Sales, Excise, and Use Taxes as an organization exempt under Section 501 (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Texas Research International, Inc. CORPORATE SPONSOR Conoco COMMUNITY AFFILIATE 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 David Wells, 1801 Warner Ranch Rd #1113, Round Rock, Texas 78664 or Glenn Looney, 14 Chapin Lane, Austin, TX 78746-2542. This will immediately get your new member on our mailing list.