Signature Services of the NLUS

By JOHN A. PANNETON, National President

The sponsorship of ship commissioning ceremonies for the Navy and Coast Guard is part of the proud tradition of the Navy League. For decades, the members, councils and regions of the Navy League have supported and financed ceremonies surrounding the commissionings of hundreds of ships.

Following the Navy League’s proven keys to success, our councils help bring each ship alive, marking their transfer to the operating forces of the Navy and Coast Guard and providing the crews, service officials and hundreds of guests with a memorable experience.

In 2001, the Hampton Roads, Va., and Santa Barbara, Calif., Councils joined forces to support the commissioning of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in July 2003. Other individuals involved included Vice President Dick Cheney, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, the Navy secretary, the chief of naval operations and the governor of Virginia.

Over 18 months, the two councils supported the pre-commissioning public affairs programs and hosted fund-raising events, receptions and dinners linked to the commissioning, created and distributed ship’s memorabilia, and provided ancillary equipment, such as athletic gear, to the crew.

In 2003, the Panama City/Bay County, Fla., Council began a challenging effort that led to the commissioning of the guided-missile destroyer Momsen in August 2004. It involved dredging the federal shipping channel to the Port of Panama City at a cost of $10.5 million and defraying the cost of bringing the families of crew members to the commissioning ceremonies. As always, the Navy League did a first-class job, and the deeper channel was a catalyst for the city, opening its port to more commercial traffic.

There already are at least six commissioning ceremonies scheduled in 2007, and each will pose special challenges. However, our organization has a record of success at supporting these complex events that stems from our years of experience and culture of public service. There are several keys to success. First, each council should start early. A modest commissioning will require at least one year of planning and organizational effort. Second, the sponsoring Navy League council should create a commissioning committee with the right members and a broad charter.

The committee is the liaison between the ship and its sponsoring community. It manages many event functions and lays the groundwork for a continuing relationship between the Navy, the ship and its crew, and the community. The committee should include civic and business leaders, local service officials, members of the ship’s crew and Navy Leaguers.

Fund raising is an important element. These are costly events. But councils should raise funds only to support the commissioning and provide a defined level of support for the ship’s crew. Some fund-raising efforts have been so successful that money was available to create scholarship funds for the crew and their families. But the primary focus is to defray the costs of the ceremonies and provide memorabilia for the crew.

Commissioning ceremonies provide the Navy League with unique opportunities to play high-profile roles in important public events. Unfortunately, the Navy League’s support sometimes is not recognized. Commissioning committees should insist on acknowledgement of our work during each event by appropriate signage and mentions by official speakers. We are proud of the services we provide the sea services and nation, and we want the public to know more about our mission and our organization.

Other keys to success are outlined in the Navy League’s “Guide” to commissioning ceremonies, available online at: www.navyleague.org/councils/ShipCommissioningGuide

In addition, Al Bernard, our new national vice president for council liaison, will provide guidance and coordination to councils on these kinds of events.

Ship commissioning ceremonies are signature services of the Navy League. Our relationships with the ships, their crews and families last long after the speeches and fanfare have ended, and therefore we must work together to burnish our record of achievement.

Semper Fidelis.