A Second Century of Service

My fellow Navy Leaguers: I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to serve as your national president, and I look forward to the next two years with confidence and enthusiasm.

The years ahead will be challenging ones for members of the Navy League. The war on terrorism will demand the sustained vigilance of our sea services. We witnessed in Iraq the admirable performance of our men and women in uniform. They served brilliantly in defense of the lives, liberty, and property of the American people. Their precision in battle and regard for humanity were impressive. Our forces deserve our continued support. Let us redouble our efforts on their behalf.

Our principal goal was established in 1902, when the Navy League was founded by a small group of visionary leaders with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt. They understood then, as we do now, that American sea power is the key to our economic prosperity and the security of our nation.

The means to ensure our national security have not changed. There is a critical and increasing need today for strong sea services that defend our interests and protect our borders, our friends, and our allies. In the aftermath of the conflict in Iraq, our sea services are being revitalized. Our Navy and Marine Corps must be faster and more flexible than ever. They require new ways to end-run the barriers to access that lie in our future. Our Coast Guard is expanding to take on new missions to defend our homeland. Our U.S.-flag Merchant Marine remains a key element of our lift capabilities, which require continuous support.

Our part in these and related efforts is to continue to educate the media, the public, and the Congress about the needs and accomplishments of our military forces. To achieve that end, I will work with our leaders in the sea services and the Navy League to develop a forward-looking agenda that will keep our organization moving at flank speed.

Our pursuit of these goals begins at our grass roots and continues through the state, regional, and national levels. Our councils are at the forefront of this effort. In my travels, I am inundated with great stories from our military members about the extraordinary hospitality of councils around the world. Our councils' support of our sea services is the bedrock of the Navy League. Let us continue to nurture the programs that are working, develop new programs to meet emerging requirements, and provide our sea services with the tools and resources requisite to their jobs.

We will prevail only if the Navy League continues to grow and thrive. Each member, each council, each officer of our organization faces an urgent task: build the membership. We must attract new members to the Navy League and profit from their ideas and innovations. Stability is not good enough. A growing membership secures our future and provides a more powerful voice for national defense in Congress. We will strive to increase our corporate, business associate, and community affiliate members as we work to increase the value of Navy League membership to them. Let each of us daily ask one friend or business contact to join the war on terrorism by joining the Navy League.

The need to expand does not end with the Navy League itself. Our support and encouragement of our young people is an important service to our nation. Our outstanding youth programs are national treasures and a primary resource of our organization. The leaders of tomorrow are in our youth programs today.

We will accomplish our goals because of our commendable strengths. Our financial base is sound. We have a fine headquarters staff. Most importantly, we have 74,000 members in our councils throughout the United States and overseas. Through hard work and stellar accomplishments, Navy League members demonstrate daily their dedication, patriotism, and loyalty to our country and our military. We are well poised for the challenges ahead.

Our accomplishments over the last century are due in no small part to the many previous national presidents who have done much to make the Navy League what it is today: the nation's principal champion of our sea services. More remains to be done. The United States and its friends and allies face new dangers of unknown magnitude. Now more than ever, the nation's armed forces require our help.

In our second century of service, we must preserve our traditions and the invaluable historical legacy bequeathed to us by the thousands of Navy Leaguers who preceded us. Because of their work, the Navy League is admired and respected in Washington, throughout the nation, and abroad.

My direct communications with our leadership remain central to our shared success. I look forward to working with you, and to meeting as many of you as possible during the next two years.

New orders to the helm are not needed. We remain steadfast on the course set by the Navy League's founding fathers 101 years ago. Navy Leaguers, we are ready for the challenges ahead. Let us move forward together.