Vol.41 Issue 69 October 2015 President s Message We had a full house for our joint September dinner meeting with Broward Council. Our guests were treated to the exceptional presentations of the Sea Cadets about their experiences in the diverse summer training programs all around the country. Our congratulations go to all the Cadets for their commitment and dedication and to the Sea Cadet Program and to LCDR Staff and his Staff for preparing these young men and women to face any challenges, now and in the future. Again this year we celebrated the traditional Oktoberfest at the Lauderdale Yacht Club and we had the opportunity to present a plaque to the Sailor of the Quarter (second quarter), from the USCGC Richard Etheridge, Machinery Technician Third Class Ryan McDaniel. During the last month, two of our Sea Services changed leadership. On September 18 th, Admiral John M. Richardson, USN, began his service as the 31 st Chief of Naval Operations. The following week, September 24 th, General Robert B. Neller, USMC, assumed the duties as the 37 th Commandant of the Marine Corps. We wish them both successful terms as the leaders of their respective services. We keep in our thoughts and prayers the 33 mariners that died in the sinking of the ship El Faro. We also remember the 15 th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the USS COLE, where 17 sailors were killed. The Gala Committee started their preparations for the great event that we ll celebrate on January 30, 2016. We hope to see all our members and guests at our next dinner meeting on November 18, 2015. Our speaker will be Brigadier General Eric M. Smith, USMC, Commander, Marine Forces South. Please see his bio in this issue. Thank you to all the members for your continued support of our men and women in uniform. We close with a HAPPY 240 th BIRTHDAY to our US NAVY!! Oscar Romano President Fort Lauderdale Council NLUS TABLE OF CONTENTS: USCG Cutter Richard Etheridge Sailor of the Quarter. Page 2 Birthdays................................ Page 2 5 K Walk/Run................................... Page 3 Guest Speaker November Dinner Meeting........... Page 4 Oktoberfest..................................... Page 5 View From the Bridge..................... Page 6 Leadership Change in USN and USMC............. Page 7 Sea Cadet Night, Sept. 16th................... Page 8-9 Seven Seas Gala Save the Date................. Page 10 Anchors Aweigh Fly-In 2015............... Page 11 Social Calendar.......................... Page 12 Community Affiliates....................... Page 13
USCG CUTTEr richard ETHErIDGE SAILOr OF THE quarter MACHINEry TECHNICIAN THIrD CLASS ryan MCDANIEL A native of Cooper City, FL. Machinery Technician Third Class McDaniel graduated from Cooper City High School in 2009. After graduation he completed Coast Guard Boat Camp in 2011 as part of class Oscar-185. Following graduation, he was assigned to CGC RESOLUTE in St. Petersburg, FL as a part of the Main Division as part of the Engineering Department. Machinery Technician Third Class McDaniel then reported to CGC RICHARD ETHERIDGE in Miami Beach, FL in the summer of 2014 as part of the Engineering Department. His personal awards include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Commandant s Letter of Commendation ribbon Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, and various service and unit awards. He currently resides in Dania Beach, FL with his wife Stephanie. Navy League of the United States Fort Lauderdale Council October Birthdays James Tobin 10/6 Margaret Turner 10/7 Susan Griffin 10/9 Karola Woodworth 10/11 Luis Vela 10/12 James Porter 10/14 Mary Anne Gray 10/20 Jim Black 10/21 James McCall 10/21 Beth Dezember 10/25 Antoinette Vlietstra 10/28 NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 2
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SPEAKEr AT OUr NOVEMBEr 18TH DINNEr MEETING BrIGADIEr GENErAL ErIC M. SMITH, USMC COMMANDEr, MArINE COrPS FOrCES, SOUTH Brigadier General Smith is from Plano, Texas and entered the Marine Corps in 1987 through the NROTC program at Texas A&M University. After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer s Course, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines; participating in Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Following a tour as an Officer Selection Officer, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School and then reported to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines for duty as Commanding Officer of Weapons and E Companies. During this tour he participated in Operation Assured Response in Monrovia, Liberia. After a tour as a Marine Officer Instructor at Texas A&M University, he attended the United States Army Command and General Staff Course. The following assignment was as the Naval Section Chief at the U.S. Military Group in Caracas, Venezuela from 2001-2003 From 2003 until 2006, he served in the First Marine Division as the Division Operations Officer; Executive Officer of Regimental Combat Team 1; Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; and Assistant Chief of Staff G3. During this time he completed two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Subsequent assignments were as a student at the Marine Corps War College, Senior Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Director of the Fires and Maneuver Integration Division at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command. From 2009 until 2012 service included tours in the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff G3 and Commanding Officer of 8th Marine Regiment; completing a one year deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In June of 2012 he reported for duty as the Director of Capability Development, and in May of 2013 he was assigned as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Brigadier General Smith assumed duties as Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South on June 29, 2015 where he serves as the Marine service component commander responsible to the Commander U.S. Southern Command for all Marine activities across Central and South America and the Caribbean. NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 4
JOiNt OktOBerFeSt CeLeBratiON at the LaUderdaLe YaCht CLUB On Thursday, October 8th, members of the Broward Council and the Fort Lauderdale Council joined Lauderdale Yacht Club members and friends for an Oktoberfest hosted by Alan and Joey Stotsky. The buffet of traditional German fare was delicious. Everyone enjoyed the traditional Oktoberfest beer and excellent live music. Alan and Joey looked fabulous in their lederhosen. We were honored to have the Commanding Officer of our adopted ship, the USCG Cutter Richard Etheridge (WPC 1102), LT Jorell Webb, USCG as our guest, along with their Sailor of the Quarter, Ryan McDaniel, USCG. Ryan is a former Sea Cadet from our Spruance Division. Ryan was accompanied by his wife, Stephanie McDaniel, and his mother, Kayanne Perez. LT Webb spoke about what a great asset Ryan has been to the crew of the Etheridge. President Oscar Romano presented the Sailor of the Quarter Plaque to Ryan. It was a night of fun and lively conversation. Thank you to Alan & Joey for making it happen! Oscar Romano, LT Jorell Webb, USCG Ryan McDaniel, Stephanie McDaniel, Kayanne Perez Ryan McDaniel, Stephanie McDaniel, Kayanne Perez Lynn Drucker, Glenn Wiltshire, Oscar Romano, George Reeves NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 5 Abiud Montes
View from the Bridge September 2015 The Cadets of the Spruance Division and Radford Training ship proudly celebrated the 53 rd Anniversary of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and honored National Sea Cadet Month by speaking at the joint Navy League Dinner with our sponsoring Fort Lauderdale NL Council, and Broward County Council. Our Cadets presented Colors and 5 of our Cadets prepared and spoke from Power Point Presentations on the unique Summer Trainings they attended. We are very grateful to the Fort Lauderdale Council, and the individuals who sponsored our Cadets through the Oren Lewis Memorial Sea Cadet Scholarship Fund that enabled our Cadets to Experience the Adventure of a Lifetime! The Fort Lauderdale Council presented the Navy League Teddy Roosevelt Medal to Petty Officer Aaron Diener for outstanding leadership as our Leading Petty Officer. The Medal was presented by Captain Long, the Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami. Petty Officer Nico Skinner was presented with the Sons of the American Revolution Medal for his continued service as our Color Guard Commander, completing more than 25 Color Guard Ceremonies. The Medal was presented by LT Mark Ketchum, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale. CDR Nathan King, Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting District Miami, and Sailors from US Southern Command and Marines from Marine Forces South enjoyed hearing of our Cadets adventures. All commented on how impressed they were with the Training completed, and the Military Bearing of all of our Cadets. We had 90 Cadets attend Summer Training this year! SCPO Starr participated with the Miami Area Chiefs Mess in the Training of 15 Sailors selected for advancement to Chief Petty Officer. CPO 365 Training was held weekly at Spruance Division Headquarters after hours for Chief Selects from US Southern Command, Navy Recruiting, and the NOSC in Miami, and West Palm Beach. SCPO Starr participated in the Pinning Ceremony for the new Chiefs at US Southern Command HQ. Please come out and support our Cadets at our annual Fundraiser, the Pursuit of Honor Courage, and Commitment 5K Run/Walk, on Hollywood Beach on the 17 h of October. This Run benefits the Wounded Warrior Project, and our Cadets of Spruance Division, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Respectfully Submitted, LCDR Alan M. Starr, NSCC Commanding Officer NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 6
SEPTEMBEr 2015 CHANGE OF LEADErSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES NAVy ADMIrAL JOHN M. richardson, 31ST CHIEF OF NAVAL OPErATIONS Admiral John Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He holds master s degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and National Security Strategy from the National War College. At sea, Richardson served on USS Parche (SSN 683), USS George C. Marshall (SSBN 654) and USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716). He commanded USS Honolulu (SSN 718) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Richardson also served as commodore of Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 12; commander, Submarine Group 8; commander, Submarine Allied Naval Forces South; deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; chief of staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa; commander, Naval Submarine Forces, and director of Naval Reactors. His staff assignments include duty in the attack submarine division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff; naval aide to the President; prospective commanding officer instructor for Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; assistant deputy director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff; and director of Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command. Richardson served on teams that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Navy E Ribbon. He was awarded the Vice Admiral Stockdale Award for his time in command of USS Honolulu. Richardson began serving as the 31st Chief of Naval Operations September 18, 2015. SEPTEMBEr 2015 CHANGE OF LEADErSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES MArINE COrPS GENErAL robert B. NELLEr, 37TH COMMANDANT OF THE MArINE COrPS General Robert B. Neller assumed the duties of Commandant of the Marine Corps on September 24th, 2015. A native of East Lansing, Michigan, he graduated from the University of Virginia and was commissioned in May 1975. He previously served as the Commander, Marine Forces Command from June 2014 to September 2015. General Neller has served as an infantry officer at all levels. He commanded the Marine Security Force Company Panama during Operations JUST CAUSE and PROMOTE LIBERTY, 3d Light Armored Infantry Battalion during Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia, 6th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division and Marine Forces Central Command. His Joint assignments include service in the Policy Division of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium, and as the Director of Operations (J3) of the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. He has also served as Executive Officer, 7th Marine Regiment, G-3, 2d Marine Division, G-3, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Assistant Division Commander for the 1st and 2d Marine Divisions, and Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07. General Neller is a graduate of the Advanced Armor Officer Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the NATO Defense College and the Armed Forces Staff College. He holds a M.A. in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University. NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 7
SEA CADET NIGHT SEPTEMBEr 16, 2015 Our September 16th Dinner meeting at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club was held jointly with Broward Council and featured our Spruance Division Sea Cadets. The Cadets described their summer training experiences, accompanied by a Power Point presentation. Cadet Alexander Shyne described his training at Submarine Seminar in Kings Bay Georgia. Alex was awarded Honor Cadet at this training. Cadet Matthew Tibbets attended Cadet Medical Intern training at Walter Reed National Medical Center, where he we was allowed to watch surgeries and learned how to suture. Cadet Aaron Diener, our Spruance Division Lead Petty Officer, was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal for outstanding achievement, presented by Captain Mike Long, Deputy Commander, USCG Sector Miami. Aaron attended the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program and the Submarine Seminar in Kings Bay, Georgia. Cadet Joshua Gonzalez also spoke about his experiences at Submarine Seminar. Cadet Zachary Beller spoke about his experiences at Master at Arms Training and Submarine Seminar, as well as Seamanship Training aboard the USS New Jersey. Sea Cadets with CDR Nathan King, USN, CO of NRD Miami Captain Mike Long pins Theodore Roosevelt Medal on Cadet Aaron Diener NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 8 Cadet Joshua Gonzzalez & LCDR Starr continued on page 9
continued from page 8 SEA CADET NIGHT SEPTEMBEr 16, 2015 Continued Cadet Nico Skinner, Spruance Division Color Guard Commander, received the Sons of the American Revolution Medal. This was awarded by USCG Station Fort Lauderdale Commanding Officer, LT Mark Ketchem. All of the Cadets expressed their appreciation to our Council for sponsoring the Sea Cadet Program, and to Mrs. Joanne Lewis for the Oren R. Lewis Sea Cadet Scholarship, which supported their summer trainings. We had great attendance from our local Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Commands. I think all in attendance came away feeling very proud of our Sea Cadet program. Captain Mark Ketchum, USCG, Cadet Nico Skinner, LCDR Starr Oscar Romano and LT Meredith Anderson, USCG, Operations Officer, USCG Cutter Richard Etheridge Cadet Zachary Beller & LCDR Starr NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 9 Captain Mark Ketchum, USCG, Simone Ramos, Cadet Nico Skinner, LCDR Starr
Save the Date Mediterranean Nights at the Seven Seas Gala Celebrating the Sea Services Saturday, January 30th 7 pm hyatt regency Pier 66 NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 10
Anchors Aweigh Fly-In 2015 Join us in December! The Navy League is proud to announce its second Anchors Aweigh Fly-In! All Navy Leaguers are invited to participate as we meet our members of Congress in Washington, D.C., to present the Navy League s legislative priorities. Make a difference by signing up TODAY! The details: We will STORM THE HILL on Thursday, Dec. 3, the day before the National Board of Directors Meeting (which has many open meetings in which all Navy Leaguers can participate). Plan to arrive no later than 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, to be included in training. Navy Leaguers will stay at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, Md., and shuttles will provide transportation to Capitol Hill. We will book all the meetings and provide training, messaging and leave-behind documents. What we need from you: If you are interested in participating, we need to know as soon as possible so we can start lining up meetings! Please contact Sara Fuentes, Staff Vice President, Governmental Operations & Administration, at (703) 528-1775 or LegislativeAffairs@navyleague.org with your name and address (for assigning constituent meetings), and we ll take care of the rest! The Sea Services need YOU to speak for them to Congress! Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved. NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 11
Navy League of the United States Fort Lauderdale Council Social Calendar 2015-2016 Saturday, October 17th, 7:30 am Pursuit of Honor, Courage & Commitment 5K Run/Walk on Hollywood Beach benefiting Sea Cadets & Wounded Warrior Project Wednesday, November 18th, 6pm, Dinner Meeting, CRYC, Speaker: Brigadier General Eric M. Smith, USMC, Commander, MARFORSOUTH Wednesday, December 16th, 6pm-Holiday Dinner Meeting, CRYC, Tentative Speaker: LT Earl H. Potter, CO, USCGC Robert Yered (WPC 1104) Sunday, January 10, 11:30 am, Day at the Races, Gulfstream Park Thursday, January 21st, Gala Underwriting Cocktail Party at Blue Martini Saturday, January 30th, 7pm, Seven Seas Gala, Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Wednesday, February 17th, 6pm, Dinner Meeting, CRYC Wednesday, March 16th, Dinner Meeting, CRYC Wednesday, April 20th, 6pm, Dinner Meeting, CRYC May 2 9, Fleet Week Port Everglades Thursday, May 5th, 6pm, Sea Services Enlisted Person of the Year Awards Banquet, Tentative location: Margaritaville Resort Wednesday, May 18, 6pm, Dinner Meeting, CRYC Saturday, June 4th, 4pm, Sea Cadet Awards Banquet, Tropical Acres Restaurant Revised 14 October 2015 NAVY LEAGUE NEWS 12
Fort Lauderdale Council 2015 OFFICErS President: Oscar Romano 2nd Vice President: Abiud Montes 3rd Vice President: Simone Ramos Secretary: Elaine M. Hogg Treasurer: Harvey Kovac Asst. Treasurer: Rosemarie Dezolt Judge Advocate: Richard Chosid EDITOrIAL STAFF Lynn Drucker: Editor Chuck Black Jim Black Elaine Hogg Elaine Nasta Rudy Oetting Oscar Romano H H H H H H H H H H H H H BOArD OF DIrECTOrS MEETING Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 3:30 PM SEA CADET HEADqUArTErS Located at: 300 S.W. 25th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 H H H H H H H H H H H H H NEXT GENErAL MEMBErSHIP MEETING Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Coral ridge yacht Club 6-7PM Cocktails 7-9 PM Dinner BrIGADIEr GENErAL ErIC M. SMITH, USMC Commander, Marine Corps Forces, South rsvp required! Call 954-565-6778 no later than noon, Monday prior to the meeting. visit us on the web at www.flnavyleague.org FOrT LAUDErDALE COUNCIL COMMUNITy AFFILIATES