ANNUAL VISIT TO THE LAKE CITY, FLORIDA
VETERANS HOSPITAL | |
In a subsequent announcement, we will specify the exact date of the visit and travel arrangements for volunteers. The trip is expected to occur in late June or early July.
The purpose of this notice is to ask for your help in collecting donations.
Please review the attached page to see what help you may be able to provide.
WISH LIST FOR OUR VA HOSPITAL TRIP 2024 | We welcome financial support: If you wish to donate, send checks payable to “Camden-Kings Bay Council” to Jeannie Straight, 1002 Brown Thrasher Point, St. Marys, GA 31558
Drop Off Locations:
Submarine Museum, 102 St. Marys St., St. Marys
Cheryl Aston, 222 Fiddlers Cove Dr., Kingland teacher1@tds.net (email for pickup)
Jeanne Straight, address above jeanniestraight1229@gmail.com (email for pickup) | We cannot accept used clothing, used puzzles, pillows, food, any items that contain alcohol, reproduced audio tapes, or any VHS tapes.
Personal Care Items:
• Men’s body wash and shampoo
• Deodorant (stick and spray)
• Toothpaste
• Shave Cream
• Alcohol-Free Mouthwash
Clothing:
• Slip-On Shoes (Men’s sizes 9-13)
• Drawstring pants/shorts (Men’s sizes Medium to 4x)
• Tee Shirts (Men’s sizes Medium to 4x
*PLEASE NO PLAIN WHITE TEE SHIRTS/UNDERSHIRTS
Women’s Clinic:
• Ditty (toiletry) bags with travel size items (no hotel samples please)
CLCs /Hospice:
• Headphones (over ear, wired) for use with in-room TVs
Recreational and Household Supplies:
• Books and Puzzle Books
• Golden Age of Radio reminiscent tape set (40s and 50s) Can be comedy or radio programs on CDs, albums, or cassettes.
• Plastic models for inpatient veterans to assemble (assists with cognitive and motor function)
• Coffee (for recreation therapy/CDCE coffee program)
Special Requests:
• iPhone (Lightning adapter) charger cords
• USB charger blocks
• Wheelchair gloves, fingerless or full-fingered (similar to these: Amazon.com; Milwaukee leather SH217 Men’s black leather gel padded palm fingerless motorcycle handgloves w/ breathable mesh material; clothing, shoes, and jewelry
| SEA SERVICES AWARDS CEREMONY
And Recognition Banquet | On Thursday, May 9, 2024 the Camden-Kings Bay Council conducted its annual Sea Services Awards Ceremony at the Triplex at the Submarine Base. Thanks to Cheryl Aston and Christa Lord, who were the co-chairs, the event, which was attended by 136 people, was flawlessly organized. As a compliment to our co-chairs, it may be said that arrangements could not have been improved upon, and the rather complex ceremony involving twenty-seven honorees could not have gone smoother. Brimley Catering Service did its customary excellent job in providing the buffet dinner. | Above: Our President, MajGen Bob Dickman, USAF (Ret.), was Master of Ceremonies
Our President, MajGen Bob Dickman acted as master of ceremonies, and the guest speaker was our own RADM Thomas R. Buchanan, Commander of Submarine Group 10. Also attending was VADM Robert Gaucher, Commander of US Submarine Forces.
| Above: Our President, Bob Dickman, Center, with RADM Thomas Buchanan to his Left, VADM Robert Gaucher, USN, Commander of US Submarine Forces, on his Right, with the Honorees
Each year outstanding service personnel are chosen from each unit by the unit’s leadership to be recognized for their diligence, excellence, and achievements in service. Awards were expertly presented by the respective unit commanders.
Those superb sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen receiving the awards for 2023 were:
| | Brian Bowick
COMSUBGRU TEN STAFF
Stephen Fuqua
NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY
Zachary Kelley
TRIDENT REFIT FACILITY
Barkley Kiel
TRIDENT TRAINING FACILITY
Justin Martin
STRATEGIC WEAPONS FACILITY ATLANTIC
Aundrea Maddox
NAVAL BRANCH HEALTH CLINIC
Greg Schnuckel
SUBMARINE READINESS SQUADRON-36
Louis Braithwaite
USMC Security Force Battalion Kings Bay
Exavier Brumfield
USMC Security Force Battalion Kings Bay |
| Nicholas Belini
USCG Maritime Force Protection Unit
Stephen Fuqua
USCG Maritime Safety and Security Team 91108
Johnathan Warren
USS ALASKA (SSBN 732) (GOLD)
Anthony Grego
USS ALASKA (SSBN 732) (BLUE)
Sean Kane
USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728) (GOLD)
Brandon McGuire
USS FLORIDA (SSGN 728) (BLUE)
Ralph Joseph Jonathan
USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) (GOLD)
Yamilka Rosario-Rivera
USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) (BLUE)
Eric Hull
USS MARYLAND (SSBN 738) (GOLD) |
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| Richardo Garcia
USS MARYLAND (SSBN 738) (BLUE)
Joseph Holmes
USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740) (GOLD)
Jack Snow
USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740) (BLUE)
James Griffith
USS TENNESSEE (SSBN 734) (GOLD)
Tyler Russell
USS TENNESSEE (SSBN 734) (GOLD)
Anthony Patten
USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN 736) (GOLD)
Jonathan Enriquez-Lovely
USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN 736) (GOLD)
Steven Johnson
USS WYOMING (SSBN 742) (GOLD)
Reyna Kinzer
USS WYOMING (SSBN 742) (BLUE) |
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2024 CAMDEN-KINGS BAY NAVY LEAGUE COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIP WINNING ESSAY
By Morgan Lord
|  | Above: Morgan Lord – Our 2024 Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey Essay Contest $2,000 Scholarship Winner
Whether in times of peace or war, servicemen and women make sacrifices. Each year, many of them make the ultimate sacrifice during combat or training missions. Those people more often than not leave behind wives, husbands, children, parents and friends. With very few exceptions, the men and women who serve their country, whether in peacetime or war, make sacrifices – family separations, often isolated tours of duty, long and difficult hours with no extra pay, etc. They serve you and me through their efforts, often in dangerous circumstances.
The impact of war is not limited to the battlefield. The families of service members also make great sacrifices when one of their members is engaged in combat. Sleepless nights, loved ones missing on holidays, a parent left alone to raise children, and the torment of wondering whether there will be a knock on the door of a military officer in full dress bearing the bad news of the death of a loved one are among the anxieties that military families face.
Tragically, as the number of fallen service members increases, mor and more families are faced with the trauma of death. With my dad being in the military my entire life, this topic has meant more to me than most people. My dad would go in and out on submarines for months at a time. He was in the military my entire life, but reality was starting to hit me at the age of 10. It was a constant countdown of when my dad would leave or when he would come home. It was a constant worry that there could be a moment when he simply didn’t come home. Mom could run to the grocery store and be unable to return home. My brother could go to school and be unable to come home. This filled me with a lot anxiety that a ten-year-old couldn’t process. However, as I got older, I started to realize how amazing and brave the things my dad was doing every day were. I came to the conclusion he was making those sacrifices for us, his family. It takes an incredible amount of courage to miss out on even a little piece of your children’s lives, accomplishments, games, or practices to provide them with a better life. I feel an immense amount of pride and honor in my dad being in the military.
Being a military child meant moving schools, significantly more than the average person. This has taught me to be resilient in everything I do. Being raised by a parent who was strong enough to raise two kids under ten while my dad was consistently deployed and another parent with strong values and a commitment to serving the greater good has left me with more life lessons and pride than anyone could ever imagine.
I think it is so important to consistently appreciate our military personnel and their families. While the men or women in the military are the ones carrying the biggest weight, every member of their family is affected as well and it is so important to look out for everyone involved.
My life would be completely different if I were to join the military. My biggest goal in joining the military would be to be in a position that I could assist other service members and their families. I want everything to be as easy as possible for families and the men and women going on deployment. I think I would have an extremely hard time being away from my family, which goes to show how strongly men and women push through the constant desire to be near their families and the immense loneliness they get from it. Always tell a service member year are grateful for their service and their families that you’re so thankful to them. These individuals are simply the strongest people on the planet.
Our Council awards this scholarship of $2,000 in remembrance of Fleet Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey, a legendary figure in the history of the US Navy. Morgan will receive her award at the Camden County High School graduation on May 21. Congratulations Morgan!
| THE NAVY LEAGUE’S LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
| One of the key functions of the Navy League, at the National level, is advocacy on behalf of the Sea Services.
Our current focus is on:
• The Navy Shipbuilding and Conversion Budget for the Navy,
• Support for the Marine Force 2030 program,
• The Coast Guard Operations and Support Budget,
• Opposition to the repeal of the Jones Act, which would have serious negative consequences for the U.S. Merchant Marine.
To learn more, use the QR code in this paragraph, and it in turn will lead members to another link to the Legislative Affairs Center for deeper reports on current Navy League activity. Our Council’s representative for this important work is Dave Reilly, a Board member and immediate past president of the national organization of the Navy League. Feel free to direct any specific inquiries to Dave Reilly.
| FIREFLY RESTAURANT OUR NEWEST
COMMUNITY AFFILIATE | Above: The Firefly Restaurant, in common ownership with the McGarvey’s Wee Pub, both in St. Marys, became our latest Community Affiliate on May 8. From Left Presenting the Community Affiliate Plaque are: Bob Dickman, Council President, Dan Black and Charles Schaller Receiving the Plaque on behalf of the Restaurant, and Dave Reilly, immediate past national President. The emblem of the Firefly stands above the participants. | For more information to support or for membership
by clicking the red text. |
The 2024 Camden-Kings Bay Navy League Council Board
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