Atlanta Metropolitan Metropolitan Council Navy League of the United States (NLUS) President Harley Jones opened this special dinner event to celebrate the Council’s 50th Anniversary. Almost 80 council members, Naval Sea Cadet Corps officers and cadets, Navy officers and enlisted personnel gathered September 20th for an evening of much recognition.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and the posting of the colors by the 1124th Sea Cadet unit, LTJG William H. Golden, NSCC, Commanding Officer, Warrior Division introduced the unoccupied dinner table at the head of the room symbolizing the members of our armed forces missing from our ranks. He shared the contents of the table and their meaning in connection with the next day being POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Other recognitions included Hail and Farewells of the outgoing commanding officers of the Navy Recruiting District and the Navy Operational Support Command. Council Vice President Youth Programs Laura McIntosh, shared with the guests that this month also marked the 50th Anniversary of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

National Director Don Giles then introduced the guest speaker, NLUS National President Philip L. Dunmire, who reminded everyone of the

words on a tombstone, far across the Pacific, of someone who gave up his life... “Tell them; tell them when you get home that I gave all of my tomorrows so they could have today!” And on this day, Mr. Dunmire shared thoughts on the many accomplishments of the Council’s 50 year history. He presented a plaque to Frank Campbell in recognition of their 2011 Outstanding Council Award under his tenure last year. Mr. Dunmire then shared a proclamation certificate with Council President Jones recognizing the Council’s 50 years. Jones gave Dunmire a copy of the book “ATLANTA” and a framed, signed photo of USS Georgia, a ball cap and a shirt provided by theBlue Crew.

Wise words and prayers to open and close the evening’s celebration were shared by council Chaplain, LTC Jim Howell, Civil Air Patrol. The Dinner was held at Marietta Doubletree hotel.

Six council board members met with President Dunmire for a working lunch on Thursday. Joining President Harley Jones were Past President Frank Campbell, National Director and VP Legislative Affairs Don Giles, VP Operations Allen Legel, VP Leadership Fund William T. Schwendler, Jr, and Director Danny Camp.

“This has to be something I can do to give back,” said Navy Leaguer Ward Cook about his participation in the organization. “To help the guys out on the front lines.”

Ward is a lobbyist by day, and at the Navy League he is on both the Legislative Affairs and Public Affairs and Education Committees, something he called a “natural fit”.

Ward was never able to serve in the military, something that was a blow to his desire to serve. His father was a LTJG in the Navy, and he drafted Ward’s help when the Navy League convention came to their home town of Kansas City in 2008.

Ward attended a legislative affairs meeting - a committee that at the time was practically nonexistent in the midwest region - and found his natural fit.

Ward’s two committees fill what he thinks is the most important mission of the Navy League - to spread the word on the importance of the sea services.

“They were the two most important things to our founders,” he says of legislative affairs and public affairs.

“When I’m thinking to myself, why am I doing this, I think about the men and women on the front lines, and that keeps me focused,” said Ward. He added that soemtimes we get carried away in our daily routines and need to focus on the “big picture” - to keep focused on the mission.

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. on September 29.

The event featured the famed U.S. Navy Band and 20 NSCC units from the eastern United States. Keynote remarks were provided by Vice Adm. Richard W. Hunt, director of Navy Staff.

The NSCC was originally established in 1958 at the request of the Navy and then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Arleigh Burke to “create a favorable image of the Navy on the part of American youth.” Charted in 1962, the NSCC provides training and leadership development opportunities for youth ages 11 to 17 as part of its mission as a civilian youth training organization. Sea Cadets often go on to serve in one of the five branches of the armed services as both enlisted and officers. An average of 12% of Naval Academy Midshipmen were former Sea Cadets.

“No matter where they go after the Sea Cadets, the young adults leaving the program have been prepared with training and skills that make them second-to-none,” said Philip Dunmire, National President of the Navy League. “The Navy League of the United States is proud to support such an esteemed organization, and one that fits so well with our mission of supporting the men and women of the sea services.”

Most Americans agree that deficit reduction needs to be a national priority and that our nation needs to be more fiscally responsible. Moreover, there should be no debate that Congress has a constitutional obligation to provide the means to defend our nation’s homeland security.

Throughout its history, the United States has had a sound national security policy, one that changes over time to address current situations appropriately and remain congruent with the global environment.

Congress must put partisan issues aside and show its resolve and commitment to deficit reduction while understanding our homeland security is its primary constitutional responsibility.

This year’s membership contest features several opportunities to win – a monthly winner of an Apple® iPad™ 2 (for yourself or just in time to wrap up for the holidays) PLUS one Grand Prize winner of $1,000 (as a final thank you, one of their lucky new members will also win an iPad™ 2 !)

The rules are simple:
You must be a Navy League member to enter the contest and win prizes.

You will be entered into the drawing once for each new member that you recruit and use the contest code PAD2012 on their application. You can use any membership application as long as you write the contest code on it, or use the link below to download a contest application.

After we have processed each month’s applications, we will randomly draw a name from all contest entries from that month to win an iPad™ 2. There will be a winner for October, November and December 2012. Winners will be contacted personally and announced on the Navy League website.

At the end of the 4th quarter on December 31, 2012, and all recruits are processed, the Navy Leaguer who recruited the most new members during the 4th quarter will win $1,000. One of their new members will be randomly selected to receive an iPad™ 2.

The Fine Print:
For applications to be eligible for the monthly drawing, mailed and faxed applications must be received by (not post marked by) the last business day of the month, electronic applications must be submitted by the last calendar day of the month, and all must contain the Contest Code PAD2012. If you feel you may be cutting it close by mail, especially with U.S. Postal Service holiday backlogs, you should submit the application(s) electronically.

For applications to be eligible for the grand prize drawing, mailed or faxed applications must be received by (not post marked by) 12/31/2012, or submitted electronically by 12/31/2012 and all must contain the Contest Code PAD2012. Again, if you feel you may be cutting it close by mail, especially with U.S. Postal Service holiday backlogs, you should to submit the application(s) electronically.

STEM has continued to be a strong Navy League initiative. In addition to the grant from ONR to help execute the program, there are many resources the Navy League has begun to take advantage of to make a wider impact to more Navy League Councils. One of those is run by ASM International.

ASM International, The Materials Information Society is the leading global source for the advancement of materials knowledge in education, industry and society. The ASM Materials Education Foundation (ASM MEF) was founded to excite young people about materials, science and engineering careers. The foundation reaches K-12 students and instructors through scholarships, student membership and innovative programs like Materials Camp for high school students and teachers, respectively.

ASM Student Materials Camps were initiated in 2000 with a camp for thirty students at ASM Materials Headquarters. These camps, which inspire an interest in STEM through materials and hands-on discovery based learning, have grown in number. In 2012, the Foundation offered 25 student camps, and since 2000 have reached 8,575 students. ASM Teachers Materials Camps, which impart this educational approach to teachers, were initiated in 2002 and have grown in 2012 to 36 in number. To date, 4,601 teachers have attended the camps. Since teachers reach approximately 100 students per year this means about 460,100 students are being impacted by the camps.

The ASM MEF partnered with Navy League volunteers to facilitate camps in Meridian and Oxford Mississippi. The ASM MEF would like to continue this collaboration and expand it to other locations. Navy League volunteers proved to be efficient and experienced communicators that cut through the clutter to identify and solve problems. Navy Leaguers interested in volunteering should contact Ginny Shirk at ginny.shirk@asminternational.org or 800-336-5152.

In collaboration with ASM MEF staff, Navy League Southern Region President, Curt Goldacker reached out to the Meridian and Oxford, MS local school board, high school, college, principals and Navy League members to provide facilities and recruit teachers to participate in the summer program to obtain free continuing education. Once the Navy League Council identified a laboratory at the Meridian High School able to accommodate the ASM Teachers Camp, they were able to receive free materials for the teacher’s training camp. Each teacher received a large box filled with instructor manuals and materials to be used in class with their students.

The materials were provided by ASM Foundation and can be replenished at local hardware stores. ASM Foundation then sent master teachers to Meridian and Oxford, MS, to provide hands-on science based learning lesson plans for local teachers to use with their students during the academic school year. The local teachers learned classroom and laboratory based techniques to excite their students about science, technology and engineering topics. The teachers had a wonderful time with the program and want to participate again next summer. It was the first hands-on learning, STEM development program that most of them had experienced. They each learned new techniques to take back to their classrooms to teach STEM curriculum in an exciting, comprehensive and understandable manner.

The purpose of Materials Camps is to guide students towards STEM academic pathways. ASM wants to help teachers guide their students towards STEM curriculum resources, because it is difficult for local teachers to do it on their own. Many teachers are teaching subjects that they never majored in while attending college. Most of the teachers that have been recently introduced to the ASM STEM curriculum resources did not fully understand the pathways that lead to STEM careers.

The costs for the Meridian and Oxford MS camp were paid for by ASM Education Foundation with funds provided by an Office of Naval Research grant. ASM Education Foundation also provided all of the materials given to the instructors for use in their classrooms. The only requirement for these camps is that they run a minimum of three years in a location. This is a program created to assist teachers in better implementing STEM curriculum resources.

Fellow Navy Leaguers,

Happy birthday U.S. Navy! On October 13, the Navy celebrated 237 years of ensuring freedom of the seas. Without the efforts of our dedicated service members who make up the sea services, Americans would not be able to enjoy all that makes our nation so great. In collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Flagged-Merchant Marine, the Navy diligently protects our way of life both at home and abroad each and every day. I encourage you to continue your dedicated efforts in supporting these brave men and women and helping inform the American public about their sacrifices and the nation’s need for strong sea services.

We recently celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Naval Sea Cadet Corps. On September 10, 1962 Congress officially chartered the Naval Sea Cadets. This milestone was recognized in a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. on September 29. Vice Admiral Richard M. Hunt, Director of the Navy Staff, along with former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Vince Patton, provided remarks. Morgan L. Fitch, Jr. was recognized for his pivotal role in helping establish the Sea Cadets. In the first fifty years, more than 150,000 cadets between the ages of 11 and 17 have participated in its drug, alcohol and gang-free training programs – going on to successful positions of leadership in both military and civilian pursuits. Of Navy League’s missions, none is more important than supporting our youth. No matter where they may go after the Sea Cadets, these young adults are prepared with training and skills that make them second-to-none.

One of the great responsibilities of Navy League councils is to help bring our Navy and Coast Guard ships to life. In September, the Navy commissioned its third Littoral Combat Ship, USS Fort Worth, in Galveston, Texas. Earlier this month, the Navy commissioned the destroyer, USS Michael Murphy in New York City, named in honor of Navy SEAL, LT Michael Murphy. LT Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Operation Red Wing. The ceremonies and events associated with these commissionings were very impressive. I know a lot of hard work went into making them successful and I want to congratulate the councils and individual Navy League members involved for a job well done.

This week, the Navy League’s Board of Directors meeting will meet in Arlington, Va. During these meetings your Navy League leadership and board will be making many important decisions and charting the way ahead. Included on the agenda is passing the 2013 budget and selecting a president-elect.

As you know, the election for local, state, and federal offices, including President of the United States, will be held on November 6. Every vote counts, so remember to get out and cast yours! Not only is it your right, but your civic responsibility.

Finally, remember why we are members of Navy League. We are citizens in support of the sea services. I encourage you to always look for new opportunities get your council and your fellow members involved – and please, share your success stories.

Every member get a member … involved.

Philip L. Dunmire
National President
Navy League of the United States

The Metropolitan Detroit Council of the Navy League of the United States hosted a luncheon for 120 military guests and Navy League members at the Detroit Athletic Club on September 7 to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and Navy Week in Detroit.

Honored guests included sailors from USS De Wert, USS Hurricane, USCGC Katmai Bay, HMCS Ville de Quebec and members of the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army, Air Force and Naval Sea Cadets.   The program included remarks by Robert Martinage, Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy, Roy B. North, Consul General of Canada and William Keller, National Vice President, NLUS.  The invocation was given by Rev. Paul Innes, Council member and Rector of Mariners Church.  The keynote address was delivered by RDML Gregory M. Nosal, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two.  Special guests included:  Patricia Posey, Michigan president, NLUS; RDML Rick Williamson, Commander, Navy Midwest Region; and RADM Jerry Achenbach, Superintendent, Great Lakes Naval Academy.  The luncheon was organized by Council leaders Jerry Moskwa, Executive Vice President and Kevin MacFarland , President.

“Detroit was key in the War of 1812 and it is fiting that we commemorate it here,” MacFarland said.  “We wanted to stage an event that would recognize the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Canadian Navy commands who worked so hard on all the events that communicated the vital roles our sea services perform on a daily basis.”

“On behalf of our Navy, as well as all the military participating in of our week-long commemoration, I want to thank the Metropolitan Detroit Council for organizing such an outstanding and eloquent program and luncheon,” said RDML Nosal.  “Your hospitality is greatly appreciated and it is very apparent that the Navy League in Detroit and Michigan is in good hands.”

Two other key events were created by Council members.

Council board member Mark Petroff organized “Leadership from the Deckplates: Command at Sea,” a combined breakfast meeting hosted by the Motor City Chapters of Young Presidents Organization and World Presidents Organization.  Held on September 7 at the riverfront Marriott Hotel, guests were RDML Nosal and 20 visiting officers and chief petty officers.  RDML Nosal facilitated an open and engaging conversation amongst 139 YPO and WPO members and invited guests.  Participants compared and contrasted the differences and similarities between leadership at sea and in a business environment.   These business leaders were treated to a variety of sea stories, anecdotes and candid comments from Nosal and the other attending naval personnel.  Following the breakfast, this group of key opinion leaders toured the Navy and Coast Guard ships.
More than 140 members of the Detroit Athletic Club hosted an outdoor picnic for visiting sailors, Marines and Coastgaurdsmen on Saturday, September 8.  This event was planned by John McCandless, a council board member. 

“Our active involvement in the overall planning of events began in January,” MacFarland said.  “We established outstanding relationships with our active duty leadership.  Our luncheon, day sail from Cleveland and picnic enhanced our goal of adding 50 new Navy League members this year.”

“Look out - what you do today might come back to bless you - or haunt you - fifty years from today,” Navy League Santa Rosa County Council National Director CAPT Walt Reese (USN, Ret.) said of his recent induction in to the Navy Strategic Communications Wing ONE/TACAMO Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held June 2, 2012 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.

Reese’s induction came half a century after he worked on TACAMO in 1962. Reese was the Project Flight Support Coordinator at the Naval Air Development Center in what is now Warminster, Pa., when the Chief of Naval Operations assigned the Navy’s top-priority project to NavAirDevCen. That priority was to develop a system to communicate with deep submerged submarines. The CNO’s guidance was to “take charge and move out” – a saying later reduced to “TACAMO”.

TACAMO was developed out of necessity to communicate with the then-newly developed nuclear submarines. USS Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine, could stay submerged for up to sixty days – versus the 24-hour-cycles that were necessary with deisel submarines used during World War II and prior.

Though the aircraft have changed, TACAMO is still in use today. There are currently three TACAMO squadrons, using the E-6 Mercury aircraft.

“I kind of smile,” said Reese, who is an active member of his council. “I’m very pleased, very proud, to be inducted in the TACAMO hall of fame.”

Greenvale Vineyards, Portsmouth, RI, was the site of the Birthday Celebration of the U.S. Coast Guard.  Hosted by the Newport County Navy League, about 100 guests enjoyed great food and splendid wines.

The grill was expertly worked by David Brooks, from Hyundai Newport and his wife, Elizabeth.

Navy League member, Ray Perry said,“The event brought Coastguardsmen and their families together from over 13 Coast Guard units, cutters and patrol boats that operate in Rhode Island, as well as several Coastguardsmen attending the Naval War College here in Newport.”     CAPT Verne Gifford, Commanding Officer Sector Southeastern New England, and LCDR Brian Donahue, Commanding Office of USCGC WILLOW assisted Anne Huot, council president, in cutting a birthday cake that depicted the Coast Guard’s origins with the seals of the Revenue Cutter Service, the U.S. Life Saving Service, the Lighthouse Service, and the U.S. Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, that would over the years evolve to form today’s Coast Guard.

CAPT Gifford spoke of the effort and commitment rescue personnel put into saving mariners in distress, citing recent cases, including the rescue of a boater that was in the water for more than 9 hours.

National President - Philip Dunmire
Executive Director - Dale Lumme
National Vice President for Public Affairs and Education - Karen Crawford
Senior Director, Communications - John Daniels
Communications Specialist and Editor, Navy Leaguer - Rebecca Grapsy
Manager, Web Content - Donald Cheatham
Senior Manager, Public Relations - Jenn Womble

Information for Councils / Council Alert

October Message

Sea power is critical to a strong U.S. defense, global peace, and economic stability. The Navy League recognizes the importance of our sea services – Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Councils should educate the local community about the importance of our sea service through the Community Service Organization Program. Councils should also plan celebrations for the Navy Birthday with local naval units.

Board of Directors Information for Councils

The Navy League will hold the Fall Board of Directors Meeting in Arlington, VA on October 17-21, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency. Please visit our website at http://www.navyleague.org/bod for information on this event. Program activities of interest to council leaders include:

• Area President’s Meeting (Regency AB) on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m., featuring a presentation on Support for the Naval Operations Support Center and a Council Compliance summary;
• Welcome Aboard Reception, hosted by the National Capital Council at 6 p.m.
• Online Community Demonstration, Arlington Room, at 3:30 p.m.;
• Law of the Sea panel at the Sea Services luncheon, VADM Houck, retired Judge Advocate for the Navy on the pro side, Steve Groves, Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation on the against side, the panel will be moderated by Phil Balisle
• Update on Community Service Presentations at Public Affairs & Education, Jefferson Room, at 4:00 p.m.;
• Membership Best Practices, Lincoln Room, at 8:30 a.m.

Hiring Efforts for Returning Veterans

Unemployment among returning war veterans is much higher than the population at large. Council leaders can do something to help! Here are some ideas:

1. Get involved with Hire America’s Heroes, which sponsors career days, mentoring programs, shadow job programs and many initiatives to assist returning veterans to seek employment.
2. Get involved with your local Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors Hiring Our Heroes, a program that sponsors job fairs for veterans and military spouses.

3. Mentoring - Assist veterans in translating their military skill into civilian skills, then encourage them to use their veterans education benefits to enhance their skills for use in civilian jobs.

4. Encourage local businesses to offer employment to returning veterans. Contact the local office of sponsors of the two programs listed above to find out what jobs they have open that may apply to veterans. Use the information gained to assist veterans through a mentoring program (item 3).

5. Learn from successful
veterans hiring programs, such as the program at Amazon.com, TIVO and Cisco. Ask your Community Affiliate members if they can support similar veterans hiring programs.

6. Share your experience with veterans hiring with Bill Waylett, wwaylett@navyleague.org. We will continue to share your success stories.

Fundraising with a Grocer’s Loyalty Card

At least two councils raise money for their projects using a grocer’s loyalty card that rebates funds to the charitable cause. Richmond Council is linked with Cash for Causes, a program at Martin’s Food Market. Council members purchase prepaid gift cards; the card is redeemed at full value, but the council pays less than full value to Martin’s (up front rebate). The funds support council projects.

Councils in the Sacramento, CA area have had a program for over 10 years with Raley’s Food Stores. Members sign-up for a linked loyalty card that donates a rebate to Sea Cadet units locally. Every dollar spent for groceries also is a contribution.

In both programs, all you have to do is shop!

Mackie Award Proposed Changes

The Information Technology Committee (ITC) has recommended changes to the Mackie Awards, as follows:

• Eliminate council size criteria for website awards;
• ITC volunteers will screen website entries and recommend websites meeting minimum initial screening criteria to the National Awards Committee for final decision; and
• Awards will be decided based upon adherence to the evaluation criteria, rather than council size, and will include a non-council subcategory for region and area websites; initial screening criteria will be posted on the Navy League website after approval of these changes.

These recommendations will be reviewed for approval at the National Board of Directors Meeting in October.
Council Award Application Deadlines

Council leaders seeking recognition for their council’s accomplishments need to be aware of the council award deadlines for:

Mackie Award for Websites December 31, 2012
Public Relations Awards December 31, 2012
Council Performance Awards March 1, 2013 (with Council Annual Report)
Mackie Award for Newsletters March 31, 2013

IRS Information

The IRS has completed their 2012 schedule for Small and Mid-sized 501(c)(3) Organizations Workshop; look for the 2013 schedule.  This one-day workshop, presented by experienced Exempt Organizations specialists, explains what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status and comply with tax obligations. This popular one-day introductory workshop is designed especially for administrators or volunteers who are responsible for an organization’s tax compliance as well as those interested in careers in the nonprofit sector.  Council treasurers are encouraged to attend a workshop.

The IRS also has a special section for questions and information about 501.c.3 organizations and management.

Upcoming Dates, Deadlines and Events

Oct. 17-21 NLUS National Board of Directors Meeting
Nov. 4 Daylight Savings Time ends
Nov. 6 Election – Fly the Flag and VOTE
Nov. 10 US Marine Corps Birthday – PARTY!
Nov. 11 Veterans Day – Fly the Flag
Nov. 22 Thanksgiving