President’s Message

May 2008: Teamwork Pays Off

By J. MICHAEL McGRATH, National President

Two recent successful, high-profile events that put the Navy League of the United States in the national spotlight underscore the importance of teamwork.

The Navy League, with the National Capital Council and national headquarters staff, in March concluded the most successful Sea-Air-Space (SAS) Exposition in our organization’s history.

The maritime industry trade show held March 18-20 in Washington attracted more than 10,300 attendees and more than 150 defense-related companies, service organizations and program representatives.

This was my first SAS as the National President, and I was both amazed and proud of the effort and dedication put forth by the SAS Committee, its team of volunteers and the headquarters staff. Everyone contributed to this team win.

SAS brought together the U.S. military’s top decision-makers and industry leaders for panel discussions. It also featured Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England, Adm. William J. Fallon and U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, as keynote speakers.

These events attracted coverage by all the major national news outlets, casting the spotlight on the Navy League and the issues about which we care the most, such as adequate funding for our sea services, shipbuilding, security and power projection.

We closed the 2008 SAS on a high note, and I’m eager to see us hit a whole new level at our new venue for 2009, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at the new National Harbor complex in Prince George’s County, Md.

Seapower’s coverage of SAS begins on page 48, or you can visit www.navyleague.org for complete online coverage.

Coming on the heels of SAS was the Return to Service festivities to welcome USS Georgia to its new homeport of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga.

The Herculean task undertaken by the Return to Service Committee, chaired by past National President Sheila M. McNeill, resulted in the flawless execution of tours, ceremonies, receptions and dinners March 25-28.

The broad scope and significance of this event was evidenced by thousands of guests at the Return to Service Ceremony March 28, as well as the involvement of Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, a host of former state and U.S. lawmakers and former President Jimmy Carter.

Every speech, every presentation included a special thank you to Sheila and the Navy League councils for making USS Georgia’s welcome home so special.

Sheila and her cast of many kept the focus on Georgia’s crew, their families and the important role they all play in defending what we, as a nation, hold dear. You can read more about the Return to Service activities on page 64.

These two events are great examples of how, as volunteers working together, we can increase awareness of the investment Americans are making in our military forces. They also served as platforms for outreach and education, teaching others about the Navy League and its agenda in support of the sea services.

Volunteers coming together to further a common cause is at the very heart of what it means to be a member of the Navy League.

I applaud those who take time out of their busy schedules to volunteer for community outreach events, interact with students, celebrate council milestones, participate in grass roots legislative endeavors, and a host of other activities that raise the public profile of the Navy League and awareness of its mission and goals.

One mission — one team.