| Brought to you by:
Jim Potter
Vice President for Communications |
From Our Council President
| From the President 1st Quarter Newsletter 2023
Your Camden-Kings Bay Council started the year with a bang, or should I say “SOLD!” The annual dessert auction that you can read about in this Newsletter was the largest in many years and raised over $1600 for our Youth and Sea Service Support programs. A couple of highlights from my perspective were, we welcomed some civilian guests that were not Navy League members. However, they now are! There was strong presence from the SUBASE Kings Bay Leadership Team including the Commanding Officer, Captain Christopher Bohner, Executive Officer, Commander Jeremy Lord and Command Master Chief, Joe Watts, who were all joined by their spouses. TRIDENT Training Facility Executive Officer, LCDR Aaron Kalfus, also attended. Perhaps the most enthusiastic and vocal group of the evening was our Council’s Community Affiliate, Navy Federal Credit Union. These ladies not only donated desserts for our auction, they also bid on numerous desserts which contributed greatly to the successful funds raised in supporting of our Youth and Sea Service Support programs.
Our Board meeting was on the second Monday of the month, 5:00 at the Submarine Museum – anyone is welcome to attend. One of our key goals for 2023 is to rebuild the close relationship between the Base and the community that existed in the past and dropped off significantly during COVID. RAdm T.R. Buchanan, Submarine Group 10 and his CMC Josh Williams participated giving us a very welcome and necessary perspective on how we can better support the sailors, Marines, Coast Guard and civilians that serve at Kings Bay.
At the meeting VAdm Al Konetzni reported that the Military Affairs Committee of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce is reactivating. They will be the host for this year’s annual event in May honoring new enlistees into the US military – more on that as details become available.
At the end of January I attended a Navy League Regional meeting in Savannah, hosted by Pat Yovich, our Region President. It was a great opportunity to meet the leadership from the Savannah Council – a very experienced group. I look forward to working more closely with them in the future. Although I accused them or “poaching” they have adopted one or two units on Kings Bay – our Council has adopted the Base and therefore all its 26 hosted commands so there are obvious places to work together.
2023 looks to be an exciting year as we, also, rebound from COVID. Please stay in touch with our website Kings Bay Navy League.org for the latest info and registration for our event. And as the Marines would say: every member is a recruiter – bring a guest to anything you attend.
You can reach me at President@kingsbaynavyleage.org
Bob Dickman
|
Toys For Tots
December 4, 2022
|  | | Incoming President Bob Dickman thanks outgoing President Greg Glaz for his leadership as President over the past several years at our 2022 annual meeting, election and Toys-for-Tots luncheon. |  | Past-President Keith Post with our guests-of-honor:
NAVY:STS3(SS) Braden Vincent, USN
USS WYOMING (SSBN 742)(BLUE)
From Conneaute Lake Pennsylvania
MARINE CORPS:LCpl Richie Lorusso, USMC
MCSFBN Kings Bay GA
From Williamstown, New Jersey | | |
 | | Incoming Board members Sam Colville, Barbara Johns, Bob Dickman, Joanie Stilson and Jeannie Straight being sworn-in by Keith Post photo taken by incoming Board member Cheryl Aston. |  | Happy attendees with some of the items donated by (Jeannie, do you have the name?) and sold at auction to raise funds to purchase additional toys for Toys-for-Tots including incoming Board member Cheryl Aston at right. | | |
|
Barb Dickman, Joanie Stilson, (Marine and sailor, names coming from Keith), Keith Post and Jeannie Straight with just a few of the many, many toys donated for Toys-for-Tots. | | |
Desert Auction
February 9, 2023
| The Camden-Kings Bay Council annual Dessert Auction, February 9th at the St. Marys Submarine Museum was another great success. 32 guests enjoyed Robert Brimley’s excellent buffet before the bidding began and two more came just for the auction. 26 donated desserts were on the auction table, many homemade and others from the very well-regarded local bakeries at “Spouses Bakery” and Publix. Treats included cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, multi-layer cakes, cupcakes and an amazing Kahlúa dish (actually, two of these annual specialties!).
Many of the guests were Navy League Council individual members and spouses, but there were also supporters from around St. Marys, sailors (including Base leadership) from Kings Bay Submarine Base and some very active bidders from our Community Affiliate member, Navy Federal Credit Union.
It’s said that “the auctioneer makes the auction” and while it was the desserts that earned the bids, our auctioneer, Keith Post, Director of the Submarine Museum and Navy League Council Past-President, did his usual humorous and effective job drawing out the bidding to extend the fun and increase the $$ total.
Between the auctioned desserts and additional donations over $1660 was raised for our Council’s Youth and Sea Services support programs. Thank You to everyone that participated!!
I have some typo correction & add the XO of TRIDENT Training Facility, LCDR Alan Kalfus as attending
We had 34 attendees with 32 paid us for dinner for a total of $656 as some paid $22. At $20 per
person, I wrote a check to Robert Brimley for $640.
We sold 26 desserts for a total of $1,385 (some still owe us for those purchases
We received $260 in additional donations.
Net/net we made $1,661.
|
March 9, 2023 Dinner Meeting
Featuring Bob Spinnenweber
Director, MWR at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
|  | Bob Spinnenweber, Director of the award-winning MWR program at Submarine Base Kings Bay thoroughly entertained the members and guests at the March 9 monthly dinner meeting at Osprey Cove Clubhouse. The facilities range from the fitness center, aquatics center, Finnegan’s bowling alley and Pub, RV park and many other sites that require base access to the excellent Trident Lakes Golf Course and even Naval Lakes Site Allatoona. The Child Development Centers are fully certified to support the Base and there are programs for families, teens, youth and young sailors tailored to meet their needs and desires. Movies are available on-base, and tickets for attraction near and far are available at discount.
The Kings Bay MWR was the 2022 Gold Medal Winner for Excellence in Parks and Recreation, the second time the local program has been so honored. It is a national competition, programs are not eligible to compete for five years after winning, and a second award is a true rarity.
|  | | Camden-Kings Bay Navy League Board members and guests at the March 9 dinner meeting at Osprey Cove. Seated from, left to right: Pat Persico, Sam Colville, Joanie Stilson, Colby Stilson III, Stilson, Colby Stilson, Jeannie Straight. |  | | Navy League member and Naval Submarine League Atlantic Southeast President Mark Kevan listens as Bob Spinnenweber, Director, Kings Bay MWR describes the many activities and services MRW provides to the personnel at Kings Bay Submarine Base and retirees and others authorized to use the MWR. | | |
St. Marys Submarine Museum Reenlistment Ceremony For PO3 Branden Vincent
March 10, 2023
|  | PO3 Braden Vincent with USS Wyoming (Blue) shipmates from the Sonar Division at his reenlistment ceremony.
March 10, 2023 at the St. Marys Submarine Museum. |  | | Vice Admiral (Ret) Al Konetzni, presiding officer and Petty Officer Third Class Braden Vincent discusses the importance of the reenlistment ceremony. The Admiral recognized the work and dedication of the submariners and support personnel at Kings Bay Submarine Base, PO3 Vincent and his crewmates on the USS Wyoming as well as the contributions Braden makes throughout the Kings Bay and St. Marys communities. Commander Steve Dykstra, commander USS Wyoming (Blue), and St. Marys Mayor John Morrisey were at the ceremony at the Submarine Museum on March 10, 2023. | | |
In Other News from Around The League
|
|
For Those Who Serve
Well, at least three unidentified aerial objects have been shot down by U.S. forces over the last week. While the unknown nature of these targets has led to widespread speculation, foreign policy analyst Ian Bremmer posits that we are likely not seeing new aerial incursions but rather a more responsive U.S. posture on existing aerial incursions. In other words, since the Chinese spy balloon grabbed headlines around the world the Biden administration has made the targeting of any and all aerial surveillance platforms a much higher priority. Thus, more aerial objects are being shot down.
Russia has begun its Spring offensive in Ukraine, according to numerous military analysts. The push for territory along the Eastern Front has resulted in catastrophic casualties for both sides, but for Russia this heavy toll to take small towns and villages likely reveals that the full might of their offensive will be far weaker and less effective than initially anticipated. The Russians aim to take the symbolically important (though far less strategically important) town of Bakhmut by April. By that time the Ukrainians will have the Western tanks promised several weeks ago as well as a new tranche of Western weapons to include longer range precision munitions. This could provide the Ukrainians with the capabilities to launch a strong counteroffensive against a Russian force that will be substantially depleted in manpower, material and morale by April.
If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please use the link at the bottom of this page or contact us directly.
|
| |
|
In acknowledgement of a recent event involving the suicide of a Marine Corps servicemember, this author would like to take a moment to remember all of our military members and families that are grappling with mental health issues and the loss of loved ones. Such pain cannot be easily expressed in words, but I believe many of the readers of this newsletter have experienced it. Always know that help is out there if you should need it. We are a family of servicemembers and sea service supporters. Keep each other strong, support those who need your help, and check in with those you haven't heard from in a while. You never know when a simple phone call can make the difference between life and death.
|
|
|
The State of the Sea Services
Shipbuilding industry looks to 3D printing to accelerate pace - Defense News / Feb 2
Instead of choosing between a schedule delay or the added expense, the shipbuilder and the Navy worked together to design, qualify and 3D print the part in just four months, meeting the March superlift deadline.
Retiring Coast Guard Academy Superintendent to Take Presidency at Virginia University - Military.com / Feb 2
Christopher Newport Universityhas named Rear Adm.William G. Kelly, Superintendent of theU.S. Coast Guard Academy, as its sixth president. Kelly will retire from his 36-year career with theCoast Guardand take the helm at the university inNewport NewsonJuly 1.
*Ukraine*
Ukraine warns Russia massing 500,000 troops on border for offensive - The Hill / Feb 2
Ukraine is warning that Moscow is regrouping hundred of thousands of troops on the border for a massive new offensive, just weeks before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
US to send Ukraine longer-range bombs in latest turnaround - Military Times / Feb 2
After months of agonizing, the U.S has agreed to send longer-range bombs toUkraineas it prepares to launch a spring offensive to retake territory Russia captured last year, U.S. officials said Thursday, confirming that the new weapons will have roughly double the range of any other offensive weapon provided by America.
Great Power Competition
Chinese surveillance balloon detected over Montana - Military Times / Feb 2
TheNorth American Aerospace Defense Commandis tracking a high-altitude Chinesesurveillance balloonfloating over the U.S., the Pentagon confirmed Thursday, but there are no plans to shoot it down.
‘A big deal’: US, Philippines tighten military ties - Military Times / Feb 2
ThePhilippinessaid Thursday it was allowing U.S. forces to broaden their footprint in the Southeast Asian nation, the latest Biden administration move strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan.
|
| For more information to support or for membership
by clicking the red text. | |