Ward and
Learson Reelected; NSCC Marks 40th Anniversary
James R. Ward and Harold W. Learson have been reelected, respectively,
as Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) national chairman and NSCC national president;
in addition, James H. Erlinger has been elected as a new national vice
president of the organization. In that post, he joins three other Navy
League national directors--Stanley E. Ellexson Jr., W. Lamon Crouch, and
Lawrence P. Lynott, all of whom were reelected as NSCC national vice presidents
during the NSCC Board of Directors Meeting in late June and early July.
(The NSSC annual meeting ran concurrently with the Navy League's 2002
national convention at the Marquis Marriott Hotel in New York City.)
Ward, who also was reelected as the Navy League's national vice president
for youth, said the NSCC board's meetings were "extremely productive,"
and included the approval of plans for "what we hope will be an even
more varied and accessible training program--both during the school year
and next summer--for the young men and women who are the heart and soul
of the NSCC program."
Ward also thanked the NSCC headquarters staff and the NSCC adult supervisors
throughout the country "who give so selflessly of their time and
talents to ensure that our Sea Cadets and League Cadets receive the training
they need not only to advance in the NSCC program, but also--and of greater
importance--to become better citizens in their home communities."
Ward announced at the meeting that NSCC membership grew by "approximately
10 percent" during the past year, "and is now the highest it
has ever been. Nonetheless, there is much more that we can and should
do. There are many other young people in every state and major city in
America who would benefit immensely from NSCC training, and it is our
responsibility--and privilege--to provide that training."
Four Decades of Progress
The NSCC's "Number One Problem," Ward said, continues to be
"not having enough adult supervisors to share the workload."
Additional financial support from the Navy League, and from NLUS councils
as well as individual members, also is needed, Ward said, "if we
are to adequately serve the youth of America and the nation's sea services."
Navy League National President Timothy O. Fanning, who attended several
of the NSCC sessions, concurred with Ward's call for additional assistance,
and said he would do "everything within my power" to encourage
NLUS members to work in and with the NSCC program--"the finest and
most effective youth program in our country." He said that one of
his "most important goals" as NLUS president has been, and is,
"to promote the establishment of more NSCC and NLCC units."
Fanning followed up his meeting with the NSCC's leadership by announcing,
in a 31 July letter sent to all Navy League council presidents, that he
has proclaimed September 2002 as "Naval Sea Cadet Corps Month"
in recognition of its 40th anniversary and of its "outstanding service
to our nation, and our nation's youth, during the past four decades."
All councils should support the NSCC program as fully as possible "throughout
the year," Fanning commented, but the designation of September as
NSCC Month provides the opportunity "to place special emphasis on
the Navy League's exclusively sponsored youth education program."
The training and education provided to NSCC cadets "prepare them
exceptionally well for whatever career field they choose," Fanning
said. "The indoctrination cadets receive in discipline, core values,
and teamwork will form the basis of their lives as future citizens and
leaders in their communities, and in the workplace. ... I strongly encourage
each council to plan a special program ... [to] highlight the importance
of our Sea Cadets."
Councils not already sponsoring a Sea Cadet unit, Fanning said, "should
use this opportunity to stimulate interest in getting one started."
(Note: NLUS councils, individual Navy Leaguers, or others seeking additional
information about establishing a Sea Cadet unit should write to: Executive
Director, Naval Sea Cadet Corps, 2300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. 22201-3308;
or call (703) 243-6910.) *
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