Headquarters News

Navy League honors patriotic Americans, makes donations to
five military support programs...

The Navy League of the United States honored several patriotic Americans who have given immeasurable time, talent and resources in support of the men and women of the Sea Services and their families at a National Tribute Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. The honorees were Arnold Fisher, senior partner with Fisher Brothers and the honorary chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund that provides support to the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans, particularly most recently as a result of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and Morgan Fitch, Navy League past national president and founder of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a national youth program that teaches young men and women naval traditions and leadership. James Bradley, author of Flags of our Fathers and Flyboys, was also an honoree, but his award will be presented at a later date.

The Navy League also presented donations to five critical support programs that help Sea Service members, wounded and deceased service members and their families, and provide youth leadership training. The programs are: the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund which received $100,000 and provides financial assistance to Marines and Sailors injured in combat and in training, other service members injured while in direct support of Marine units and their families; the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund which received $75,000; the Naval Sea Cadet Corps which received $75,000; and the Chief of Naval Operations’ and Commandant of the Coast Guard’s Reading Programs both of which received $25,000 and provide Sailors and Coast Guardsmen with books and professional development material to encourage life-long reading. 

“This tribute allows the Navy League to both honor outstanding leaders who have unselfishly supported our troops as well as provide financial support to some very special programs,” said Navy League National President John Panneton. “The Navy League greatly appreciates the sustained incredible support of our corporate and individual members that made these substantial contributions possible.”

Guests for the National Tribute included Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Conway, Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Patrick Walsh and Coast Guard Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Robert Papp. Former Marine Corps Commandant and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Jim Jones, USMC (retired) hosted the ceremony.

Photos by Steven E. Purcell and Bill Fitz-Patrick