SEA SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR
OUR PREMIER EVENT OF THE YEAR
Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Triplex on the Kings Bay Navy Base
Time: 5:30 pm; Call to be Seated at 6:30 pm
Dinner: To be Provided by Brimley’s Catering Service
Cost: $30 Register and pay Online or
with jeanstraight1229@gmail.com
Those who register, but fail to attend will be billed | SUNSET CRUISE
On the Cumberland Queen, Leaving from the Park Service Dock in
St. Marys at 6:00 pm, Friday, June 14, 2024
Limited to Camden-Kings Bay Council Members and Guests
Dinner Provided by Brimley’s Catering Service
Cash Bar for Wine & Beer (Soft Drinks Provided)
Cost: $40 Per Person
Cost: $30 Register Online or
With jeanstraight1229@gmail.com | ANNUAL VISIT TO THE LAKE CITY, FLORIDA VETERANS
HOSPITAL – DATE AND DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED
Our Council is seeking donations for the purchase of items the veterans request
Contact: jeanstraight1229@gmail.com to donate and/or to volunteer for the visit
| THE NEW NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE
UNITED STATES NAVY |
In 2020, the incumbent Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth Braithwaite, announced that a new National Museum of the United States Navy would be built near the Washington Navy Yard in our national capitol, but outside its security perimeter so that all visitors could freely enter without the requirement of a pass or other credentials. When it is built, the Navy will be the only service with a museum in Washington, D.C. The process of planning and creating this new flagship museum is under the direction of the Navy History and Heritage Command, under which the Navy Museum Development Foundation has been established. Our own Navy League Board member, VADM Albert H. Konetzni, USN (Ret.), is the president of that Foundation and at our Council dinner meeting of April 11, he described the reasons for this initiative, and its status with his characteristic enthusiasm, persuasiveness, and humor.
|  |
Above: VADM Al Konetzni Describing the Plans for the New National Museum of the US Navy
By way of background, Admiral Konetzni emphasized that the Navy has not done an effective job in presenting itself, its history and importance to the American public. This new museum is proposed to be a major step in correcting that deficiency. Its position in the capitol, and the easy availability of access to the museum buildings, will enable the Navy to present its unique service story to the many millions of those visiting the capitol each year. (According to official statistics, 21.9 million visited DC in 2022 and that number is trending upward.) He explained that there is an accumulation of historical artifacts that should be preserved and displayed, which have been stored in non-climate controlled warehouses that are in poor condition, and ultimately will not be salvageable unless rescued. He also stressed the potential significance of the museum in connection with recruiting efforts, and we know that Washington, D.C. is a customary touring site for millions of young students every year.
Admiral Konetzni described the location of the museum, the leadership of the Foundation and its efforts in two directions: finding the sources of funding from the Federal government and from private donors has occupied much of the Foundation’s time, but an equal effort is focused on locating important Navy history collections currently held in private hands that might be donated to form a part of the new museum’s exhibits. Admiral Konetzni emphasized that the exhibits and the real estate would both belong to the museum, which would prevent certain problems that have been troublesome for other service museums. It is projected that the actual work may begin in 2025, with an anticipated opening date in 2030. One thing is clear: there could not be a more energetic leader for this effort than Admiral Konetzni, nor a better salesman or a more persuasive advocate. In closing, Admiral Konetzni thanked the Chamber of Commerce and Military Affairs Committee for their unfailing support of the Navy Base and its personnel.
|  | |
Above: At the Osprey Cove Dining Room
In other business, our Council President, Bob Dickman, reminded the members of the “Sea Service Person of the Year” event on May 9, our Council’s premier event of the season, the “Sunset Cruise” on June 14 and our annual trip to the Lake City Florida Veterans Hospital to provide residents with needed personal supplies and small items for their comfort. The meeting concluded with a 50/50 raffle won by Richard Miller who generously donated his winnings of $360 back to the Council. | AN EVENING WITH THE SKIPPER OF THE USS SOUTH DAKOTA (SSN 790) | |
Above: VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret.) and CDR Burnes “Cuddy” Brown, USN
More than 50 members and guests gathered at the Triplex on Kings Bay for a Council meeting featuring Burnes “Cuddy” Brown, USN, as our guest speaker. Perhaps the blossoming flowers and spring-like weather added to the relaxed atmosphere of the event, for everyone seemed in a happy mood.
Following a social hour, Brimley’s Catering Service was in evidence serving a full dinner featuring a choice of brisket or chicken entrees, vegetables, mashed potatoes, and an excellent cheesecake dessert.
| SUMMARY OF BOB DICKMAN’S REMARKS TO THE MEMBERSHIP | Bob prepared this summary of his speech for distribution to the Council members:
We’ve come a long way in the two years since we restarted activities after COVID. Our monthly meetings have had some great programs; we returned to the Triplex onboard Kings Bay for our March dinner meeting; membership is up, and we are wrapping up the Spring event season with the Sea Service Persons of the Year Banquet on May 9 and the Sunset Cruise on June 14.
As I look toward the end of my term as President in December, I will ask the Board to step back from our monthly cycle and spend time over the summer assessing the alignment of what we do with the Missions of the Navy League, and use that as a path to growth.
Simplified, the Missions of the Navy League are:
- To enhance the morale of sea service personnel and their families
- To educate the public and the Congress on the importance of the Sea Services to our national defense, well-being, and prosperity
- To support youth through programs that expose them to the values of the sea services
I’m proud of what we have done, and very grateful for the countless hours your Council leadership puts in to deliver the programs that we have every month. But I believe we are thinking of ourselves as a small Council, in a small town, with very limited resources.
Many businesses here (though not nearly enough) have a sign in their window: EDICCIMAD. It originated with The Camden Partnership, and stands for Every Day in Camden County is Military Appreciation Day. Barb and I have never lived in a community that was as “military-friendly” as Camden County. There are 9,000 military retirees in the area. Our school system is amazing. We have a great Base as the County’s largest employer, with a workforce that includes government employees, all the major submarine contractors and perhaps the most highly trained military personnel doing the nation’s highest priority mission.
We are selling ourselves short. Yes, we could put a check-mark next to each of those mission areas; how much more could we be doing if we only….?
I don’t know what finishes that sentence. That’s what your Board is going to be working on this summer.
If you’d like to help, let me know.
Bob Dickman: dickmanrsd@aol.com | Update on Our Council’s Support of Youth Activities
A Report by Board Member Christa Lord |  | Above: At the State Championship with Dr. Green, Superintendent of Camden County Schools and COL Banta
The Navy League helped sponsor the Camden High School Marksmanship Rifle team during their pursuit of the Georgia High School Association State Rifle Championship, and to assist them in defending their State Championship in competition in Ware County in the middle of March. They came home again with the state title.
In addition, with the council's sponsorship, we helped the NJROTC Rifle team travel to the 2024 JROTC Inter-Service National Rifle Championship located at Camp Perry, Ohio at the end of March. The team placed 4th place out of 19 teams. The team had one cadet, Jordan DeJesus, finish in 1st place for individuals two years in a row. The team took four cadets to each of the matches: Jordan DeJesus, Virginia Byrd, Cheyenne Malone, Skylar Sandford, and Brianna Dougherty accompanied by their coach, COL Stephen Banta. |  | Above: COL Stephen Banta and the Team (Skylar Sanford, Cheyenne Malone, Jordan de Jesus, and Virginia Byrd) at the National JROTC Championships
The Camden Council will also support the NJROTC during their yearly awards banquet May 2nd, by awarding a Cadet the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Medal with citation certificate. Three other cadets will be awarded the NSI Outstanding Leadership Award, NSII Outstanding Leadership, NSIV Outstanding Leadership certificates, and each award will include a council coin.
| For more information to support or for membership
by clicking the red text. |
The 2024 Camden-Kings Bay Navy League Council Board
| |