Volume 68 Number 5 May 2015 CORPORATE SPONSORS Vigor Industrial COMMUNITY AFFILIATES AMI International Applied Technical Systems Evergreen Transfer & Storage First Command Financial Planning FMA Chapter 14 General Dynamics - NASSCO Kitsap Bank Kitsap Sun NFCU/Navy Federal Financial Group Patriots Landing Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Sound Publishing Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort Wave Broadband NEW MEMBERS Jun 9: Luncheon Speaker Commander Djamal Pullom- Commanding Officer Naval Recruiting District Seattle Our June 9 Luncheon Speaker will be Commander Djamal Pullom Commanding Officer Naval Recruiting District Seattle. The Seattle Recruiting District encompasses Alalska, Washington, Idaho and Montana. It s mission is to recruit the best men and women for America s Navy to accomplish today s missions and meet tomorrow s challenges. Commander Djamal Pullom Graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 with a degree in Mathematics. After winning a 1994 Harry S. Truman Scholarship, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, earning Master of Science in Management and Master of Science in Operations Research degrees in 1997. Commander Pullom s sea tours included USS San Juan (SSN 751); five patrols as navigator/ operations officer on USS Nevada (SSBN 733) (BLUE); the SSGN program s first two Western Pacific deployments as executive officer on USS Ohio (SSGN 726) (BLUE); and a Western Pacific and Middle East deployment as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations for Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3. Our social hour will begin at 11 am; opening will be at 11:45 followed by lunch. Location is the Bangor Conference Center, Trident Ballroom, NBK, Bangor. Registration! Please call Evergreen Transfer & Storage at 360 674-2762 for your lunch registration. Please call at your earliest convenience. Cut off for reservations is June 2 Checkout our New Website: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress. com Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ groups/79505435837 Members without base access; processing time takes weeks. Please give your name as it appears on your driver s license. Spell your name to make certain that it will be correct on the gate access sheet. Provide your date of birth and city of birth. NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com 1
President s Corner For the second year in a row the Bremerton Olympic Peninsula Council has been named an Outstanding Navy League Council. I want to thank Council Past President Larry Salter and last year s board of directors for all of their hard work in achieving this award. Our award will be presented at the Navy League National Convention in Tampa next month. May has been a busy month for all of us. The Armed Forces Festival was a fantastic success culminating with a wonderful Gala. We were honored to have Vice Admiral Ray USCG Pacific Area as our Grand Marshal and Gala Guest Speaker. Rear Admirals Richard Gromlich and Dave Kriete also participated. During the Gala we awarded the Navy League Olympic Bowl to the crews of the USS Pennsylvania as the Outstanding Pacific SSBN in 2014. Memorial Day Ceremony onboard USS Turner Joy The Bremerton Navy League has sponsored the Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony onboard the USS Turner Joy for the last 15 Years. For this years ceremony we were honored to have Representative Derek Kilmer and Commander Jason Geddes, Commanding Officer USS Nebraska SSBN 739 as Guest Speakers. Sea Cadets from the Scorpion Squadron provided escort services, Sailors from the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Bangor provided the Honor Guard, and the music was performed by the Nothwest Navy Band. June 4: Battle of Midway Ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton The Naval Base Kitsap Battle of Midway Ceremony on NBK Bremerton Pier Charlie, Thursday, 4 June 2015 from 0900-1000. This year marks the 73rd Anniversary of one of the Navy s and the nation s most historically significant Naval victories. The Battle of Midway occurred during the period of 4-7 June, 1942 and changed the tide of the war in the Pacific and the course of world history. In the summer of 1942 Admiral Yamamoto decided to try and capture the US base on MIDWAY Island. Unknown to him, Japanese communication codes had been broken by US Intelligence, so the US knew the Japanese fleet was coming. The Japanese Navy lost all four of her aircraft carriers and Yamamoto was forced to retreat. In order to remember and honor the sacrifices of the shipmates before us, a wreath laying ceremony will be conducted. NBK commander Captain Thomas Zwolfer will be Master of Ceremonies, Captain John Ring Commanding Officer USS Nimitz CVN-68 will be the Guest Speaker. NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com 2
Every May the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce hosts the Armed Forces Festival. First celebrated in 1948, It is the nation s largest and longest running Armed Forces Day Parade and Festival. The Chamber wants to thank the men and women that wear the uniform of the United States of America Armed Forces. Please help our community in saying thank you to our Armed Forces by attending and supporting the festival events. Kitsap Credit Union Armed Forces Festival Military Culinary Arts Competition The Armed Forces Military Arts Culinary Competition got its beginning as a simple Chili Cook Off on Armed Forces Day about 40 years ago. It has grown into a stand alone event on the Saturday before Armed Forces Day Parade, and has become the premiere culinary event in the County. Eleven teams competed in the categories: Garnish, Appetizer, Wings, Chili, Ribs, Deserts, and Battling Chefs. The Teams represented: Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Base Everett, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Naval Hospital Bremerton, USS Nimitz, USS Stennis, USS Maine, USS Nevada, USS Henry M Jackson, and USS Nebraska. There were 9 teams involved in the Battling Chefs Contest, consisting of 2 man teams. They were given one hour to create and present an entre showcasing the following ingredients Duck Breast, Mussels, Carrots, Red Peppers, Sweet Potatoes, Oranges. and Pecans. The Judges for the contest were Captain John Ring Commanding Officer USS Nimitz, Captain Thomas Zwolfer Commanding Officer Naval Base Kitsap, Patty Lent Bremerton Mayor, Christopher Plemmons Olympic College. JBLM finished first, Nimitz finished second and Naval Base Kitsap finished third. Armed Forces Festival Senior Enlisted Dinner Area Chief Petty Officers enjoyed an evening as guests of the Suquamish Tribe and the Bremerton Olympic Peninsula Council at Kiana Lodge during Armed Forces Festival Week. The Suquamish dancers and singers offer a traditional welcome followed by a traditional salmon roast. This year approximately 120 were able to participate in this wonderful event. NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com 3
General Dynamics - NASSCO Armed Forces Festival Parade Strong! Proud! United! The Armed Forces Day Parade held in Bremerton is the largest and longest running Armed Forces Day Parade in the Nation. This year is the 67th year of the event held each year on the third Saturday of May in downtown Bremerton. 40 Service organizations, 18 Schools 18 Marching bands, 15 Military units, 5 Car clubs, 3 Motorcycle clubs, and 5 Mounted units participated in the parade this year. The Grand Marshal for the Parade was VADM Charles W. Ray US Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander. Puget Sound Energy Armed Forces Festival Hero s Barbecue The Hero s Barbecue is honoring our military families provides a free Hotdog, chips and a soda meal to all Active Duty, Reserve, Retired Veterans and their families. The barbecue gives active and retired military personnel a chance to kick back and relax after the parade. Military attendees and their families are given a meal, free of charge, as a thank you for their service. This is a community affair, Costco donates the food, Puget Sound Energy brings out their emergency grills and cooks, and Washington Youth Academy serves the food. NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com 4
Armed Forces Festival Navy League Gala Extravaganza Join us for the Annual Navy League Gala to honor our Military and recognize our community and political leaders. Each year, as the finale to Armed Forces celebrations in Bremerton, our Navy League Council honors the local military commands by hosting the only black tie event, aside from formal military balls, in the area. The Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces Day Parade is traditionally the guest of honor and this year, VADM Charles W. Ray, Commander Pacific Area U S Coast Guard, was our guest speaker. Additionally, as part of the evening, our council presents a special, annual award to the Trident submarine crew who has achieved the top marks in battle efficiency. Competition is very competitive and this award is coveted among the boats homeported at Naval Base Kitsap. Our council started this trophy bowl many years ago and now a similar award is provided in Kings Bay, Georgia to a submarine that is homeported on the East Coast. Scorpion Sea Cadet of theyear Brendan Standaert, with his parents, Steven and Jodi The Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Navy League Gala is a significant social Standaert event of the year in Bremerton and each year we recognize very special people for their outstanding contributions to our council and the military. Alejandro performed Flamenco guitar after the official ceremony. USS Pennsylvania Wins Trident Submarine Outstanding Performance Award The Blue and Gold crews of USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) were named as the recipients of the 2014 Trident Submarine Outstanding Performance Award. The award, which is also known as the Olympic Bowl Trophy, is presented annually by the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy League to the top ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in the U.S. Pacific Fleet. This ship demonstrated a superior level of performance over the course of a year and I commend them on a job well done, said Rear Adm. Dave Kriete, commander, Submarine Group 9. What is even more remarkable is the fact that two crews Pennsylvania Blue and Gold upheld the highest standards while working on completely separate patrol cycles. This combined effort exemplifies the sense of teamwork and partnership that must be prevalent in order to succeed in our deterrence mission. The Pennsylvania crews demonstrated quiet consistency throughout 2014, spending two-thirds of the year supporting the nation s strategic deterrence mission. They also achieved superior marks in every external validation of readiness during the year, a process that helps determine the award recipient. These areas include weapons system performance and readiness, navigation performance and practices, communication system performance, material condition and engineering readiness, personnel readiness, initiative in promoting new operational concepts, and tactical readiness. In 2014, Pennsylvania set the record for the longest strategic deterrent patrol recorded since the beginning of the Poseidon C3 ballistic missile program in the early 1970s. That feat, coupled with a total of more than 27,000 nautical miles traveled over the course of the year, highlights the significant endurance and versatility of the Ohio-class SSBN fleet. The two crews received the Olympic Bowl Trophy during the Navy League Armed Forces Gala. NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com 5
16 Apr: Tour USS Pennsylvania ( SSBN-735) It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon when we headed over to Navy Base Kitsap to tour the USS Pennsylvania (SSBN-735). After gathering at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, which is highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of US Naval Underwater Programs, we boarded a bus to the base and down to Delta Pier. After multiple security checkpoints, we arrived and were met by Chief Montford, who introduced us to the ship s Commanding Officer, CDR Cage. After a gracious welcome to his boat, we were then split into 3 groups of 6 and left to the very capable hands of his petty officer tour guides. Before we boarded the ship, we were allowed the opportunity to walk over the dry dock and view the USS Nevada going through refit in the dock (meaning it is out of the water). When you see a Trident in the water, you only see about 15% of the submarine, seeing it this way everyone saw what a truly impressive warship completely looks like. Our tour guides then led us back to the boat where we began our journey into understanding the world of a submariner. For security reasons, the engineering spaces are off limits for all visitors so our tour included the Operations and Missile Compartments. Creature comforts and personal spaces are certainly a rare commodity for these sailors during their patrols. 9 man bunkrooms, which can only be described as small phone booths turned on their sides and stacked in 3 s to form most of a room, represent their single private area. About 100 men share 2 heads (bathrooms that include 2 showers, 3 sinks and 3 toilets per room). The long missile compartment reminds them daily of their deterrent job and chosen duty. Twenty-four tubes painted various shades of orange to keep depth perception. A Crews Mess (dining area which seats a total of 40 at a time) that serves 4 meals a day. The submarine world operates on an 18 hour day, 6 hours on watch and 12 hours off watch. During these times the equipment maintenance must be completed, drills and simulations are run for proficiency and qualifications, cleanliness completed along with work outs and entertainment (movies shown after the evening and midnight meals). The ship s mission is always in their heads by the presence of the torpedo room and their immediate ability to defend themselves. The navigation center, sonar and radio rooms are designed to feed the CO, XO, and their Officers with all the necessary information to operate the ship safely and securely. Technology updates and training keep these crews ready to take on all challenges and we were honored and touched by the dedication and professionalism of not just our guides but each sailor that stood by his workstation to take the time and explain to the average civilian how they contribute to the incredible machine that is the Pennsylvania.- Patrick Miller NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com 6
Planing Ahead 2 June Board of Directors Meeting 5PM @ Jackson Park Community Center 4 June Battle of Midway Ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton @10:00 9 June Navy League Luncheon 11:30 AM @ Trident Ballroom NBK Bangor 15 June Tour Naval Underwater Warfare Center Keyport @ 1215 30 June Boeing VIP tour@ 10:00 AM Tour Planning June 15 Keyport Meet at Pass & ID lot near the front gate about 12:30-12:45 June 30 Boeing VIP tour at 10 AM. We will meet up at the Kingston Rite Aid parking lot about 8:15 AM to set up car pooling and get to the Ferry landing in time to get on the 8:40 Ferry We will try to drive together as much as possible but I will send out directions anyway. The tour goes until 11:30. If people wish, we can have lunch and then go tour the Flying Heritage museum or people can come directly home afterwards if they prefer. July 21 Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, start time about 9:30 AM. Some will go up the night before, but if you are coming on the morning ferry from Port Townsend, there is one at 8:00 AM. Reservations are advised in the summertime. Also need a reservation from Coupeville to PT at about 4:15 or 5 PM August 20 Naval Magazine Indian Island from 1-3PM Sept USS John C Stennis Sept Seattle CG facilities, with tour of the Vessel Tracking Service as well as the- Joint Harbor Operations Command (homeland security) and a cutter or ice breaker Oct Safe Boats trying for both port of Bremerton & the Tacoma facility if possible Nov Bremerton Navy Hospital President Vice President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Judge Advocate 2014 COUNCIL OFFICERS Immediate Past President COUNCIL BOARD MEMBERS Alan Beam Tom Danaher Kelly Emerson Byron Faber Patricia Faber Joe Hulsey Jack James Neva Lamb Cynthia Martin Helen Miller Mike Spence Kevin Staub Larry Tellinghuisen Steve Westover Tim Katona 360.674.2628 Kevin Torcolini Robert Lamb Ruth Bond David Ellingson George Rose Larry Salter Navy League Honors USS Stennis Sailors of the Year Now Hear This is the official newsletter of the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy League of the United States. It is published monthly and provided to all members. Editorial Board Graphic Layout Published by Alan Beam Alan Beam Raytheon We welcome your comments and story ideas. Items for publication, changes of address, and inquires should be sent to: Editor Now Hear This PO Box 5719 Bremerton, WA 98312 Three 2014 Sailors of the Year (SOYs) from the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN 74) were recognized by the Navy League of the United States Bremerton/Olympic Peninsula Council during a recent luncheon. Shown left to right: Command Master Chief, CMDCM (AW/SW) Trenton Schmidt; Bremerton Mayor, Patty Lent, Junior SOY, ABH3 (AW) Chelsea Dell; SOY, HM2 (SW/AW) Isiah Burns; Blue Jacket of the Year, YN3 (SW/AW) Alaina Damico; and Council President, Tim Katona Website: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/79505435837 NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.
Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council Navy League of the United States Post Office Box 5719 Bremerton, WA 98312 Address change requested Navy League of the United States Mission Statement and Goals A civilian organization dedicated to informing the American people and their government that the United States of America is a maritime nation and that it s national defense and economic well being are dependent upon strong sea services United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard and the United States Merchant Marine. Navy League Goals 1. Educate national leaders and the nation. 2. Support the men and women of the sea services. 3. Provide assistance to the sea service families. 4. Support the youth program. 8 NOW HEAR THIS online: http://bremolympicnlus.wordpress.com/ Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Silverdale, WA Permit No.111