REQUEST FOR DONATIONS FOR

OUR DECEMBER TRIP TO THE VA HOSPITAL IN

LAKE CITY, FLORIDA

DECEMBER 2024, DATE AND DETAILS TBA:  OUR CHRISTMAS TRIP TO LAKE CITY VA HOSPITAL. SEE BELOW FOR OUR REQUEST FOR DONATIONS OF USEFUL ITEMS AND CONTRIBUTIONS.

WISH LIST FOR OUR VA HOSPITAL TRIP DECEMBER 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
• Body Lotion
• Razors

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
• Laundry Detergent (pods or liquid)
• 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 hand gloves w/ breathable mesh material; clothing, shoes, and jewelry

Above is our team at the last visit to the VA Hospital on 8 July of this year:  From Left: 

Cheryl Aston, Gail Glaz, Jeannie Straight, Glen Glaz with Robert Coon, a Voluntary Service Officer,

and a Pile of Donated Items for Distribution to Resident Veterans.

NAVY LEAGUE DINNER – SEPTEMBER 12

We had planned the Navy League September meeting for the Triplex, at the Base, with the canine demonstrations outside.   However, a mechanical failure at the Triplex caused us to move the event to the Submarine Museum, which never fails to support our Council.  As our host for Board of Directors meetings and several events during the season, the Submarine Museum might be said to be our home base.  

Above:  MA1 Michael Keefer and MA2 Hayden Stone with a Security Dog

We were privileged to have three Navy members of the Kings Bay Security Team with us for the evening:  MA 1 Michael Keefer, who introduced his team, MA 2 Egidi Edite and MA2 Hayden Stone.  They brought with them two of their dogs (Mustar and Anry), who they introduced.  Unfortunately, it was raining outside, so the demonstrations were confined to the interior, and were more necessarily limited.  It is well recognized that dogs have a remarkable sense of smell, often said to be 10,000 to possibly 100,000 more acute than human sensitivity.  This was ably demonstrated by the Security Team which hid a devise that emitted a faint explosive odor behind an exhibit cabinet, and was detected within seconds.  Studies have also shown that assaults on security personnel patrolling with guard dogs are much less likely to occur than when security officer is without a canine companion.  A full demonstration of the role of the German Shepard that accompanied the team could not be fully demonstrated inside the Submarine Museum, However, a convincing illustration of the deterrent capacity of the guard dog was shown using a rubber toy. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, our President, MG Bob Dickman, and Board member, VADM Al Kozetzni, presented a check for a donation to Submarine Museum Executive Director, Keith Post, in appreciation for all the support and generous sharing of premises, information and participation between the two groups.

Above from Left:  Bob Dickman and Al Konetzni Passing a Donation Check to Keith Post, Executive Director of the Submarine Museum

From our Council President, Bob Dickman:

C-Kings Bay members:

National Navy League has announced that the 2025 Annual Convention will be at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville! This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about how the Navy League functions, with an entire track focused on Council operations.

I attended the Conventions in Orlando (2022) and Dallas (2023) and they were excellent.  Orlando was my first introduction to Navy League at the national level and without that background I would never have been able to serve as C-KB President. Unlike next year, the event last year in San Diego in 2024 including the hotel and travel would have been quite expensive.

With the convention located so close, commuting is a good option.  The hotel room group rate of $179 is also a very good deal.  The registration fee for members is always quite low, with the special meals/speakers and social functions available “a la carte.”

Mark your calendar for next June 4-7 and watch for when Registration opens.  It is sure to be a fun and informative Navy League few days.

Bob Dickman

The National HQ of the Navy League is conducting a membership drive with which our Council will be cooperating.  This announcement came from Evan Clarke, the National Marketing Director:

Overview of the Navy League Membership Drive:

Throughout the month of October, the Navy League will be holding a “Membership Drive” month. This initiative is designed to support councils in marketing their events effectively and gaining new members. Councils will hold events throughout the month of October and the marketing team at headquarters will provide marketing support. HQ will support councils in effectively marketing events during October 2024 to focus on widespread gain of new members. Our objectives are as follows:

• Increase Membership
• Raise Awareness of the Navy League
• Support Councils Through Marketing Efforts & Resources
• Engage Current Members
• Create a Unified Campaign that Showcases the Value of Joining the Navy League
• Evan Clarke, Marketing Director, Navy League of the United States
• eclarke@navyleague.org  (703) 312-1593 (direct)
• 2300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201

www.navyleague.org