Pittsburgh Council Marks 20 Years Of Support for Namesake Submarine

BY PETER ATKINSON, Deputy Editor

The Pittsburgh Council recently wrapped up a year’s worth of events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the commissioning of the attack submarine USS Pittsburgh and 20 years of support for the boat by the council’s USS Pittsburgh Relief Crew.

What kicked off at the council’s annual meeting Jan. 29 concluded during three days in late October when 34 crew members, including Commanding Officer Cmdr. David Hahn and Chief of the Boat Master Chief Ray Mitchell, visited Pittsburgh for a celebration dinner, several receptions, and college and professional football games, according to council President Paula Bozdech-Veater.

On Oct. 14, crew and family visited Linton Middle School’s “Where in the World is Pittsburgh?” program, the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Program at Penn Hills High School, the Navy ROTC Program at Carnegie Mellon University, and the Navy’s Starbase Program at Bettis Laboratory and Electro-Mechanical Division of Curtis Wright that provides training opportunities in math, science and technology, said Bozdech-Veater, commanding officer of the USS Pittsburgh Relief Crew.

The day was capped off by a Navy birthday and Relief Crew 20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Dance at Heinz Field. Keynote speaker was Richard Thornburgh, former governor of Pennsylvania and U.S. attorney general, who was also the main speaker at the boat’s commissioning in 1985. Other guests included Pittsburgh’s sponsor Dr. Carol Sawyer, former commanding officers, Navy League National President John A. Panneton and his wife Alice, and senior members of Pittsburgh sea service commands. Approximately 335 people attended this event.

Oct. 15 included a brunch in honor of the Pannetons and a reception for Relief Crew members and visiting Pittsburgh officers and chiefs. A number of council members, Pittsburgh crew and their families also attended the University of Pittsburgh vs. South Florida University football game at Heinz Field.

On Oct. 16, Pittsburgh crew and Navy Leaguers participated in a tailgate party before the Steelers-Jacksonville Jaguars football game at Heinz Field. Six Pittsburgh crew members and Navy League personnel also were introduced and took part in pregame activities on the field.

During its 20 years of support, according to Bozdech-Veater, the USS Pittsburgh Relief Crew has provided for, among other things:

• 73 scholarships totaling $63,000;
• Christmas parties for crew families;
• 14 golf outings raising funds to support the Christmas party;
• 18 dollhouses and barns built by council member Lou Rourke;
• 60 visits by approximately 250 crew members to Pittsburgh. Crew members were generally hosted in Navy League members’ homes.

Additionally, the USS Pittsburgh has supported the Relief Crew by sponsoring 24 day cruises, eight tiger cruises and eight other visits by Navy Leaguers and Relief Crew members to the boat.

Lake Washington Adopts USS Jimmy Carter and Its Support Detachment

The Lake Washington, Wash., Council saw its total of adopted units reach the double digits with the Nov. 16 adoption of the Seawolf-class attack submarine USS Jimmy Carter and the Undersea Research & Development detachment that will provide direct support to developing the sub’s research, development, test and evaluation capability. The council, which is less than 5 years old, has adopted 10 sea service units, according to council Vice President Roger Ponto.

Formal adoption took place during the council’s monthly dinner event. Jimmy Carter Commanding Officer Capt. Don Kelso and Chief of Boat Master Chief Dave Kerr attended, as did Undersea Research & Development Commanding Officer Lt. Cmdr. Dave Reische and Master Chief Doug Butler. Rear Adm. William D. French, commander, Navy Region Northwest, and Rear Adm. Frank Drennan, commander Sub Group 9, also attended.

Prior to the adoption, the Lake Washington Council helped welcome Jimmy Carter and the Undersea Research & Development detachment to their new homeport at Kitsap Naval Base, Wash. The council arranged for the Bear Creek School Band to provide music and clowns from Caring Clowns International to entertain the more than 300 family members and Navy personnel in attendance. The council also created and provided a special commemorative poster recognizing the event.

“A very big congratulations to the Lake Washington Council for their foresight and planning in the arrival events for the families and crew of the USS Jimmy Carter and its detachment to its new homeport in Washington,” said Northwest Region President Ron Testa. “Lake Washington Council President Ron Matthew, working alongside his council officers and directors, truly ‘knocked this one out of the park.’”

Jimmy Carter is replacing USS Parche, which was decommissioned in October 2004.

Short Bursts

The Richmond, Va., Council honored a group of more than 30 World War II veterans during its annual Navy birthday celebration in October. About 150 Navy Leaguers and guests attended the event at the University of Richmond’s Jepson Alumni Center, with Navy Rear Adm. David Architzel, commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force, serving as guest speaker. To commemorate Veterans Day and the 60th anniversary of V-E Day and V-J Day, the council invited the World War II veterans, who represented the Navy, Marine Corps and Army. Also at the event, council President Joe Moschetti was presented with an “Honorary Chief of the U.S. Navy” award.

The Milwaukee Council got an overview of the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and DD(X) destroyer recently from guest speaker retired Navy Capt. Ned Lundquist. With the first LCS, Freedom, being built at Marinette Marine in nearby Marinette, Wis., the update was of special interest to the council, said President Richard T. Vallin. Construction on Freedom began Feb. 1, 2005. It is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in late 2006. Rear Adm. Dirk Debbink, Navy Reserve deputy and chief of staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Great Lakes Region President Bill Fantry and Northwest Great Lakes Area President Bobby Ferguson also attended the meeting.