Europe
Visit Highlights Foreign Councils’ Unique Challenges
By SHEILA M. McNEILL
National President
The first six months of my presidency were predominantly spent in Washington
meeting folks and “learning the ropes.” Most of 2004 has been
spent visiting our councils. I continue to be amazed at the dedication
and professionalism of our members. They continue to perform our mission
and take extraordinary care of the men and women who visit their ports.
They are the vital link between our citizens and our sea services.
This link was never more evident than when Arlie and I visited our European
councils in May. The unique challenges our councils face in serving the
Navy League mission include great distances from U.S. military installations,
infrastructure and sea service populations; shifting political and social
climates that can be less than friendly to the U.S. military presence;
and a small population base from which to draw membership.
This was an interesting time to be visiting France, Italy and Spain.
As we were traveling to the first council meeting in Cannes we had to
wonder about our reception, given the tension between France and the United
States over of the war in Iraq. Of course I knew that, for the most part,
those present supported the Navy League.
Avery Glize-Kane, president of the French Riviera-Monaco Council, said
the distinguishing character of the council was the dedication shown by
its members, including many French citizens, to the men and women of the
Sixth Fleet and their eagerness to express their gratitude for the role
the Sixth Fleet plays in preserving freedom in that part of the world.
As we arrived at a reception in Cannes with Avery and Deborah Cozzone,
Northern Europe Area president, one of the first guests was a gentleman
who wore a cowboy hat in our honor and wept as he described the liberation
of his country by Americans more than half a century ago. I was amazed
at the number of foreign nationals — about 80 percent of the group.
The next day, Avery had arranged for me to lay an American flag wreath
in a ceremony at the memorial commemorating the liberation of France during
World War II. The people in Cannes told us of the enormous gratitude they
felt toward the United States.
Italy
The next stop on the journey was Naples where new European Region President
Betty Reese had organized the first European Region Conference in recent
memory. Almost every council president in Europe attended, and the next
few days were full of training, the sharing of ideas and concerns.
Featured speakers were Adm. Gregory G. “Grog” Johnson, Commander,
U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Gen. James L. Jones Jr., Commander, U.S. European
Command, and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; and Rear Adm. Stanley D.
Bozin, Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean, Navy Region Europe.
Since those present at the region meeting were Navy League leadership,
they shared with me the unique challenges they meet each day, especially
with limited ships visits. This, of course, is a common lament even throughout
the United States as our sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are on deployment
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and
the global war on terrorism.
Spain
In Spain, we met with the Navy League’s Barcelona Council and business
leaders at an opera house in that beautiful city. Council President Tim
Cashman and Vice President Dr. J. Garcia-Reyes gave us an excellent briefing
on the port of Barcelona. They grappled with the issues of a small council
dedicated to meeting ships and welcoming sailors and Marines — and
continually looked for ways to interest Spaniards in supporting the U.S.
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
We had an opportunity to share our mission with Juan Alsace, U.S. counsel
general, and he assured us of his support.
And in Altea, where the members of the Levante Council greeted us by
the ringing of bells, I had the opportunity to sit with Hampton Terry,
president of the Valencia Council. He shared with me the fact that Valencia
is the newest council in Spain, that it was chartered to meet the needs
of the sea services in this important Mediterranean port. With few U.S.
citizen resources, the council is bolstered by committed affiliate members
from the local community and the newly established NATO Rapid Reaction
Force there.
The Levante Council comprises people from many nations, as is true of
most of the European councils. They work together as a team to promote
unity among national groups in the area. Americans are in the minority
there, but respected. By working together they put the message of unity
across to the local people.
Ron MacMaster, Levante Council president, and I did a radio talk show
at one of the only English-speaking radio stations in the Mediterranean
with about 50,000 listeners. The show expanded from the planned 30 minutes
to an hour. What a wonderful opportunity to share the word about our work.
We traveled on to the beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca, where Council
President John Graham and his wife, Giovanna, spent the next few days
introducing us to members of the Spanish Navy League, community leaders,
port and embassy officials and elected officials. The city council hosted
a reception in our honor at Castillo Bellver castle.
One gentleman, who said he was the oldest living Spanish Navy League
member, showed us a gift he had received 40 years earlier from a national
president of the Navy League of the U.S. (Yes, I made sure he had one
from the current president!) Southern Europe Area President Ciro Armellini
was present and thanked the city for its generosity.
By the way, John was once a member of the Moody Blues, most famous for
“Nights in White Satin,” and he and Arlie enjoyed “jamming”
one evening. What a diverse group we have leading our Navy League.
In Madrid, Arlie and I were joined by James Frances, council president,
president-elect Joan Eischen and James Dodson for a meeting with George
L. Argyros, the American ambassador to Spain. Each year, the embassy hosts
the Madrid Council for its sailor of the year event. And what an event
it was. After a receiving line that included the ambassador and his wife,
James Frances and myself, we joined about 180 guests for a cocktail reception.
It was interesting to note that, with the recent elections resulting
in a new president for Spain, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the attendees
included the current Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Sebastian Zaragoza
Soto, the Vice Chief and the Chairman of the Joint Staff, as well as those
who had just recently held those positions under the leadership of former
Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar.
What do you say in Spain when asked to make remarks to such a diverse
group? Well, you recognize that all of those present have a common interest
in maritime issues — you emphasize the importance of keeping sea
lanes open — not only for the freedom of nations but also for the
world’s economic survival. You emphasize that no country wants war;
that no country wants to send their sons and daughters to war.
Our mission is to build maritime strength so that we might avoid wars.
You point out the importance of our country’s friendship and you
encourage them to work with our Navy Leaguers to expand that friendship
and working relationship. You point out that the Navy League is respected
throughout the world. And you thank them for their support of our ships
and for their hospitality to our military men and women who travel to
their country.
The last day, Arlie and I, and several of the Madrid Council, were guests
of the Spanish Navy League at its headquarters and later for lunch. They
honored me with their highest medal, the Golden Anchor, the first ever
presented to a woman recipient. The members of the Spanish Navy League
cherish the relationship we enjoy and we talked of ways to enhance it.
Councils Salute Cadets, Coast Guardsmen at Awards
Nights
PETER E. ATKINSON
Deputy Editor
Kaua’i Council Honors Essay Contest Winners,
Coast Guardsmen of the Year
The Kaua’i, Hawaii, Council presented two local high school students
with scholarships for winning its essay contest, along with honoring its
Coast Guardsmen of the Year, during its awards night in May.
Ashley Jones and Julian Helder, both seniors at Island High School, were
given $2,000 and $1,500 scholarships, respectively, for their essays.
The theme of the essay contest was “The Evolution of the Revenue
Cutter Service.” The scholarships were presented to Jones and Helder
by council scholarship chairwoman Sandra Gage.
Jones, who was president of the Island High National Honor Society from
2001 to 2003, will be attending Dennison University in Granville, Ohio,
in the fall. She will major in international studies and minor in French.
Helder, who was a member of the Sea Cadets Corps’ John Berger Division
before it disbanded, will attend San Francisco State University. Helder,
an avid diver, plans to major in economics and business.
The council also honored Damage Controlman 2nd Class Todd Bontrager as
its Nawiliwili Station Coast Guardsman of the Year and Boatswain’s
Mate 2nd Class Seth Carter as its USCGC Kittiwake Sailor of the Year at
the awards night. Both were presented their awards by council President
Al Moe. Nawiliwili is one of the council’s adopted stations and
the Kittiwake is one of the council’s adopted ships.
The awards night was held at the Kaua’i Community College dining
room, where the dinner was prepared by students from the school’s
culinary arts program.
Atlanta Metropolitan Council Names Its 2004
JROTC, Sea Cadet Award Winners
The Atlanta Metropolitan Council held its “11th Annual Youth Awards
Banquet” May 13 and named Cadet Lt. Cmdr. James D. Lovett, Kennesaw
Mountain High School, Kennesaw, Ga., the 2004 winner of the JROTC Award.
He was selected from 34 nominees. The council also named Cadet Mary N.
Lewallen, Bowdon, Ga., of the USS Warrior Sea Cadet unit, as the top Sea
Cadet. She was selected from six nominees. Each winner received a $300
U.S. Savings Bond.
The JROTC award was presented by council President Harley Jones. The
Sea Cadet William T. Schwendler Award for Excellence was presented by
Jones and William T. Schwendler Jr. Retired Rear Adm. Casey W. Coane,
the council’s director for the Sea Cadet program, was the award
dinner’s keynote speaker.
Cadet Major Sarah Bergstrom, of Cumming, Ga., a student at North Forsyth
County High School, received a $200 U.S. Savings Bond for second place
in the JROTC competition. Four Cadets received $75 bonds for Honorable
Mention.
Cadet Charles E. Genner, Atlanta, from the 2745th Seabee Battalion, received
a $150 Savings Bond for second place in the Sea Cadet competition.
The Metro Youth Awards program is one of many projects the Atlanta Council
conducts for area young people and active duty and reserve personnel.
The area boasts 34 high schools with Navy and Marine Corps JROTC units,
and six Sea Cadet units, all of which were eligible for the awards.
This year’s Navy League Sea Cadet of the Year, Petty Officer 1st
Class Ryan Holmes, is from one of the units, the NARS B-1 Squadron in
Marietta. He was honored at the Navy League National Convention in June,
but was on hand for the Atlanta Youth Awards, where he received a Blue
Angels lithograph from council member Roz Lawson.
Kingsville Navy Leaguer Wins Military National
Weight Lifting Championship
Kingsville, Texas, Navy League member Gary Pamplin, a former Navy chief
petty officer, has won his fourth consecutive Military National Weight
Lifting Championship.
Pamplin took the title again with a combined lift in the squat, bench
press and dead lift of 1,751 pounds, according to Kingsville Council President
Dick Nelson. The Military National was held in Killeen, Texas, in March.
In April, Pamplin traveled to Trencin, Slovakia, for the IPF World Bench
Press Masters Championship. There, he placed fourth in the world in his
age group 40-49.
Pamplin only competes in drug-free meets where the athletes are drug
tested. Ten years ago he was told to be a good power lifter, you had to
take drugs, Nelson said. He set out to prove them wrong and with dedication
and hard work, he has done just that, Nelson said. He wants to work with
kids to get them to excel in sports without relying on drugs.
Pamplin has accomplished these feats while working full time as an aircraft
mechanic at Boeing, pursuing a master’s degree in education and
being involved in his community as a member of the Ricardo, Texas, School
District Board of Directors, Nelson said. Pamplin retired from the Navy
in October 1996.
Short Bursts
§ Coast Guard Vice Adm. Vivien S. Crea was given the Navy League
Scroll of Honor by the Navy League’s New England Region at a ceremony
in June. Massachusetts Bay Council member Ivan Samuels, immediate New
England Region past president, presented her with the scroll.
Crea was promoted to vice admiral in April by the soon-to-retire Vice
Adm. James Hull, whom she replaces as Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic
Area, and U.S. Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic. She is one of only three
vice admirals in the Coast Guard.
§ The Humboldt Bay, Calif., Council is helping provide service members
in Iraq and Afghanistan with a small taste of home. Council member Tom
Patterson is coordinating an effort to send packages to troops deployed
in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom containing such
staples as toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen and moist towelettes. Notes
of encouragement for the troops are welcome.
Send items for “Council Digest” to:
Peter E. Atkinson, Deputy Editor
Sea Power/Navy League News
2300 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201-3308
E-mail: patkinson@navyleague.org
Council news items and photos (prints or high-resolution jpegs) are not
returnable and will be published at the editors’ discretion. |
