By Navy League National President Bill Stevenson
This is blog post appears in the May issue of Seapower magazine, the official magazine of the Navy League of the United States.
If you have ever studied the history of the Navy League, you know that our primary mission never lessens in the face of adversity, and in fact, we have shown repeatedly that we are innovative and rise to the occasion whenever our nation faces great challenges.
During World War II, when millions of service members were called to war, the Navy League jumped in to support the well-being of families and wounded veterans in ways that were considered far outside the regular mission of the League.
Today, as we continue to experience the impact from the pandemic, we still are at a place of innovation. Our councils have developed ways to help virtually, how to have safe and responsible events, and how our mission can thrive in several different formats. From supplying scholarship opportunities to our youth programs, to giving care packages to sea service members in need, to handing out awards to our adopted units and more, we still are steadfast in our support.
Regardless, even when the Navy League has adjusted to meet the challenges of our time, we have never lost the focus of our primary mission of education and advocacy for the U.S. sea services.
At a time when other nonprofits have had to suspend their mission or have had to scale down to survive, we have thrived.
It is a testament to all of you and your volunteerism that our organization continues to be as significant and resolute today as we have ever been throughout our approaching 120-year history.