| Brought to you by:
Jim Potter
Vice President for Communications |
The Late But Jam Packed 2nd Quarter Newsletter
|
From Our Council President
| I expect the biggest challenge our Newsletter editor, Jim Potter, has is getting pictures and descriptions of all the things going on with your Camden-Kings Bay Council – and I’m the biggest culprit! Our goal is to have the Newsletter published quarterly and with so many things happening in June, it is time.
One of the military ceremonies I most enjoy attending is a Change-of-Command. Everyone is different because of the people involved and what’s said, but everyone is the same in that it is a time-honored ritual representing a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual commander to another. Whether it is a Coast Guard unit such as our MSST Kings Bay, a Submarine Blue/Gold crew or a major Combatant Command the tradition is the same. Orders are read, salutes and words are exchanged, the mission goes on without interruption. Spring is the season for military transfers, and it has been one for CoCs here. Everyone is different, and everyone is special. Welcome to all the new Commanders.
A significant passing of leadership of a different kind happened at the Navy League National Convention in Dallas, June 6-11. Our own Council member and Past-President, Dave Reilly, finished his two-year term as the National President of the Navy League. His Farewell/Thank You dinner reflected the great job he did and the esteem in which he is held by both the Navy League and the uniformed Navy leadership.
At that farewell dinner I sat with members of the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council. They meet at the Bangor Conference Center, Trident Ballroom … Yes, they are our counterparts for the west coast SSBN/SSGN Ohio Class submarines. It didn’t take long for us to agree that we should become “Sister-Councils.” Turns out that there’s a Submariner-famous Pub and Grill, the Horse and Cow. There’s one in Guam, and in Bremerton, and this summer there will be one in St. Marys. Maybe our first event with our Sister-Council will be a Zoom event celebrating the opening here, with them, there?
We’ve had some wonderful events this Spring, with great participation and new membership: The Dessert Auction, the Kings Bay MWR program, Captain Bohner talking about the loss of Thresher and SUBSAFE, the Coast Guard MSST Kings Bay, the Sea Service Persons of the Year banquet and the “sold-out” Sunset Cruise. We want our programs to support our Sea Services AND be interesting and fun for our members.
The Board is already working on the full schedule of events that resumes in September. Let us know what you’d like to have on the program list. You can reach me at: President@KingsBayNavyLeague.org.
|
Looking for information about Submarine Base Kings Bay?
| Looking for information about Submarine Base Kings Bay? A map, phone number, MWR info? That and a lot more is available on the Base App. Here’s how to get it:
In your phone or tablet’s “App store” or “Play Store” search for Naval Region Southeast. When it opens and invites you to personalize, click and then scroll down to Submarine Base Kings Bay. You can select additional bases, and continue to personalize whether to get alerts, etc.
There are links in the App to the Base’s Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts. With the Periscope newspaper no longer bring published, the App and these digital links are the new sources for Submarine Base Kings Bay and related Navy information. They are excellent.
Navy League Member Access to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
The days when a Navy league membership card was all that was needed to get onto Kings Bay are gone forever. BUT the days when Navy League members can get onto the Base without an active duty or retired escort are returning. This only applies to active Camden-Kings Bay Council members and only offered to those who cannot otherwise get base entry without escort.
Members will complete a SECNAV Form 5512 with Identity-Proofing information including Name, age, birthdate and place, US Citizenship, address, physical characteristics and Social Security Number. The Council will submit the form on your behalf to the SubBase.
Once approved, you will be issued a letter from the Commanding Officer granting base access for one year. Basically, this access applies to the areas available to retirees, including where we may hold future Navy League events such as the Triplex. It DOES NOT grant escort authority nor use of facilities that require an ID card to use such as the Commissary, Navy Exchange, etc.
Here’s the process:
1. Request a current Form 5512 from Navy League Board Member Keith Post by email at: keithfpost@tds.net or pick one up at the Submarine Museum.
2. Fill out the Form 5512 and return the completed and signed hard copy along with a copy of current driver’s license to the Submarine Museum. DO NOT submit it to the Base.
3. The Council will confirm that you are an active member of the Camden-Kings Bay Council of the Navy League.
4. The Council will submit your Form 5512 to the Base.
5. If approved, the Council will let you know when you can pick up your letter at the Submarine Museum.
6. This letter must be presented to the Gate Guard with current ID each time entry to the base is requested.
|
Looking ahead for Camden-Kings Bay Navy League
| On July 21, the Kings Bay personnel are hosting a golf fund-raiser to support the 2023 Navy Ball. The Ball includes all three major area bases, Kings Bay, Mayport and NAS Jacksonville. NSB Kings Bay is the organizing Base for 2023. A flyer on the event is included in this Newsletter. The course on-base is in great shape and this event will be a lot of fun. Contact JEFFREY.P.HYLAND.MIL@US.NAVY.MIL for more information or to sign-up, foursomes or individuals.
“Expected in July” the East Coast location of the Submariner’s renowned and highly decorated gathering place, the Horse and Cow Pub and Grill will open in St. Marys – in the shopping center near the movie theater. We are trying to arrange a joint-Zoom meeting with our sister Council from Bremerton for the Grand Opening.
Maybe in August: Our first Cribbage event. See the Article in this newsletter
The Annual Toys-For-Tots Brunch will be on December 3.
We do not have a dinner meeting in December. However, RDML Buchanan has been invited to speak at the December MOAA meeting on December 14, and MOAA has invited our Council to join them.
Sometime in December we will have the second 2023 supply delivery and visit to the VA Medical Center in Lake City, FL.
In between we will have dinner meetings in September, October and November. We are working with the Base to have meeting on NSB Kings Bay. If you don’t have Base access, see the article in this Newsletter about how Navy League members can again get to the Triplex and other similar facilities.
On the list of potential speakers/Subjects are the other major Navy facilities to learn more about their very different missions than KB: Mayport and NAS Jacksonville. Since the Navy League supports all the Sea Services including the Merchant Marine, the Port of Brunswick and the Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island are on the list. And maybe Marine Mammals at Kings Bay, or Canines with the Camden County Sheriff?
Let us know what you’d like to hear, at President@kingsbaynavyleage.org |  | | Do You Play Cribbage?
Want to learn? Playing is easy: Wikipedia says it “has very few rules yet yields endless subtleties.”
Think you can take on a Sailor? Think you can take on an Admiral?
Your Council is looking for ideas to put together an informal, fun Cribbage event, maybe leading to some competitions.
If you are interested, contact Jim Kroening at kroening.jim@gmail.com. | | |
A Salute To The New Enlisted Leadership
From NSB Kings Bay
| | Camden-Kings Bay Council along with the Local Chief's Messes, Atlantic Southeast Chapter of the Naval Submarine League, Trident Base of Submarine Veterans, St. Marys Submarine Museum, and the Military Affairs Committee of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce hosted a celebration for the new Kings Bay Senior Chief and Master Chief Petty Officers. Congratulations to all these outstanding Sailors. |
The 2023 Sunset Cruise
It was a great Event
| The Annual Navy League Sunset Cruise set sail from the Saint Mary’s waterfront on Friday, June 16. It had been three years since the last one because of COVID, and it was great to be back.
We had beautiful weather, and 24 hours before the area had been hit with really violent wind and rain. The Queen took us out towards Cumberland Island, and then north toward the Base. At that point RDML T.R. Buchanan, Commander, Submarine Group Ten and the senior office at Kings Bay, took the 1MC (the boat-wide public address system) and provided the expert’s description of the major facilities, as seen from the water. The boat obviously couldn’t get near the secure areas, but most of us saw and heard about what’s “behind the fence” in a very special way.
The Cruise is a great way to close out the C-KB monthly programs before the summer break. We will start again in September. With the Triplex again available on-base and with Navy League members able to obtain base access (see the article on access in the Newsletter) we will probably have some activities there.
Events like the Cruise don’t happen without a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Our Event Planner-in-Chief, JoanMarie Stilson handled the food and the boat. The first was easy: Brimley’s Catering has worked with the Council many times in the past, and they did another great job. Food without beverages on a June evening wouldn’t have been fun, but two Sailors from the USS Rhode Island and their wives took the “drinks” out of our hands by a running cash bar to support their unit fund. At $3.00 for beer or wine, and “tips” for soft drinks or water, it was definitely a win-win to have them aboard. The second was easy at the start – Joanie has worked with David Lang and the Cumberland Queen staff in the past and the planning was easy. Then she learned the Queen was in maintenance with a part that was “on-order.” We all know what that could mean, even post-COVID. Fortunately, the part arrived early in the week and David’s staff made the repair. The trip would have been very crowded if we had to use the Cumberland Princess. “Crowded” because our registration magician, Jeannie Straight still had requests coming in after the deadline, and we were already over David Lang’s comfortable target of 80. Our new C-KB Secretary, Linda Engstrom, was as enthusiastic about inviting people on the cruise as she is about attracting new members. But as Jeannie would say, having lots of people coming to our events is a good problem to have.
|  | | Brimley’s Catering staff and the delicious buffet that was enjoyed by all. |  | Brimley’s Catering staff and the delicious buffet that was enjoyed by all. | | |
 | | Cumberland Queen crewmember, ready for us to board |  | | The view of NSB Kings Bay as Admiral Buchanan began his description of the NSB Kings Bay waterfront | | |
 | USS Rhode Island helped with beverages, and sea stories. Pictured: Sara ?, Master Chief Woods.
|  | | USCG MSST Kings Bay leadership: LCDR Shafer, Lt Herbert and SC Hutto. | | |
USS Georgia Gold Change of Command 2 June 2023
| | On June 2, 2023 Captain Christopher Osborn relieved Captain Jesse Zimbauer as Commanding Officer, USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) (GOLD). Captain Osborn assumed command in July 2021. During his tour, GEORGIA completed two deployments to CEDNTCOM and EUCOM and won the Battle Efficiency Award. Prior to arriving at Kings Bay, Captain Osborn commanded the USS BOISE (SSN764) and served on the Joint Staff (J36) and as the National Military Command System Operations Division Chief. He and his wife, Leanne, have proudly raised three boys, one of whom served aboard USS COLUMBIA (SSN771). |
Navy League of the United States National Convention
| The 2023 Convention of the Navy league of the United States was held on June 7-11, 2023, in Dallas, TX. Each year the convention has several days of 1-2 hour sessions covering the scope of activities, aimed at providing Council members with ideas on how to improve. Topics include making better use of Social Media, Strategic Planning, Legislative interactions, Sea Cadets, Membership growth – and much more. The first luncheon featured awards to Councils, where Camden-Kings Bay received Bronze Medal Mackie Award recognition for both our Social Media and our Newsletter. (Congratulations to our Editor and Webmaster, VP (Communications) Jim Potter!) The second luncheon recognized exception Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from across the country.
Each general event began with the Presentation of the Colors and the National Anthem. What made these even more special was that the Color Guards and band were local Sea Cadets, immaculately attired in their dress whites. During the Awards ceremony two Sea Cadets received special recognition. The young man in the picture was the “Hit” of the show. At the farewell dinner that evening, former Chief of Naval Operation Admiral John Richardson reminded us that no sailor at boot camp had ever squared his corners and marched any taller than that young Sea Cadet did as he came forward from the back of the main hall to receive his award.
The closing Dinner, headlined by Admiral Richardson, was a farewell to the outgoing national President, our own Council member and Past-President, Dave Reilly. The accolades made clear the high regard the Navy League and the Navy leadership have for Dave and the progress the organization has made during his Watch. However, the most fun was when the president of the host Dallas Council presented Dave with a gen-u-wine TEXAS cowboy hat… and then taught him how to “sashay” across the stage.
The convention was a chance to see old friends, meet new ones, learn a lot and have fun. They are open to all members so think about putting it in your travel plans for next June. |  | | Dave Riley and Bob Dickman with other attendees |  | | The Admiral Ben Moreell Award is presented to Major Erin R. Demchko Capt. Eddie Crossman and NL National President Dave Reilly | | |
 | | Convention 2023 Color Guard |  | | Dave Reilly becomes honorary Texan | | |
| Sea Cadet Steals the show!! | | | | On June 1, 2023Cl. Cmdr. Jessica Shafer relieved Lt. Cmdr Mark Ketchum as Commanding Officer, Maritime Safety and Security Team Kings Bay (91108). The Presiding Officer was USCG Captain Kristen Serumgard, Chief Atlantic Area Operational Forces. Lt. Cmdr. Ketchum assumed command of the MSST in July 2020. From 2021-2017 he commanded USCG Station Fort Lauderdale, where Lt. Cmdr Shafer served as Executive Officer. Lt. Cmdr Shafer arrives from duty as Watch Officer in the White House’s Presidential Emergency Actions Operations Center. |
Coast Guard Cutter SEA DRAGON Change of Command
| Chief Warrant Officer Brook Blount was relieved by Chief Warrant Officer Sean Barrett as Commanding Officer of the US Coast Guard Cutter SEA DRAGON at a ceremony at the St. Marys Waterfront on June 22, 2023. The SEA DRAGON is one of the Cutters of the Maritime Force Protection Unit at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, responsible for the Transit Protection Program in direct support of Submarine Group Ten and the Strategic Systems Program for Nuclear Weapons Security.
CWO Blount, a St. Marys native, took command in May 2021. His next assignment is at U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District’s Auxiliary Division where he will serve as Operations Training Officer across the Southeastern states.
CWO Barrett arrives from Charleston, SC where he served as First Lieutenant on the fourth “Legend-Class” National Security Cutter, the Coast Guard Cutter HAMILTON (WMSL 753). He is a native of Hampton, VA and married to Kate Barrett of Gray, Maine. |
Navy League Sea Service Persons of the Year Banquet
| Kings Bay 2023 Sea Service Persons of the Year (2022) Honorees with Principal Sponsor Representative, Mike Anderson, Lockheed Martin Space | The 2023 Navy League Sea Service Persons of the Year annual banquet was held at the Triplex facility on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay on June 8, 2023. The event honoring the outstanding enlisted persons for 2022 was the first banquet held since May of 2019, due to the COVID pandemic, a gap of three years. The Council supports nearly thirty commands including those located on the Kings Bay base, assigned to Submarine Group 10 and the Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team St. Marys (MSST Kings Bay 91108). Generally, about half of the awardees have either transferred out of the area or are on deployment the night of the event. This year fifteen were honored at the dinner.
The evening began with hors d’oeuvres and a social hour. The formal program opened with the Presentation of the Colors by a Joint Services Kings Bay Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation. The Guest Speaker was the Mayor of St. Marys, John Morrissey. Mayor Morrissey thanked the local military community for the excellent relationship between the Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen on the Base, as well as the Coast Guardsman of MSST Kings Bay located in St. Marys and the Camden County communities.
Each of the Honorees was recognized individually, first with comments by the individual’s Commanding Officer or Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat, then by presentation by a Navy League “sponsoring member” of a plaque, Navy league coin and VISA gift card. At the end of the evening each honoree, selected at random, was given a “door prize” donated by a sponsor. Council members sponsored each of the awardees and a guest and sat with them at the banquet. Our principal corporate sponsor was Lockheed Martin Space.
The formal program concluded with remarks by the Commander, Submarine Group TEN, RDML T.R. Buchanan.
|
Lake Cty VA Medical Center 28 June Donations Delivery
| On June 28, the Camden-Kings Bay Council made its semi-annual trip to the VA Medical Center at Lake City Florida. Twice a year the Council solicits donations for things the Veterans at the Center or the Center staff have identified to us – everything from puzzles, to arts-and-crafts, to recordings of old radio shows, to slippers, to sample-size lotions, and much more. Donations are for both the items and for cash that is used by our Treasurer to fill-the-gaps in what is donated. This trip was led by Past-President Greg Galz, a regular on the VA trips, with President Bob Dickman. We were welcomed by Paula Cummings of the Medical Center staff who helped us load the donations we had brought. After a quick tour of the areas of the Center that are not still in some stage of COVID restrictions we had the opportunity to visit veterans on one of the short-term wards.
Thank you to those council members who donated funds & items for our July 28th VA trip. With your generous donations we were able to purchase over $680.00 from the “wish list”. Thank you Jeannie Straight, Linda Engstrom & Cheryl Aston for doing the shopping and Greg Glaz & Bob Dickman for delivering the supplies to the Veterans.
|  | | Former C-KBNL Council President Greg Glaz and Current PResident Bob Dickman with the donations. |  | | Greg and Paula Cummings of the Lake Cty Medical Staff assist loading donations. | | |
| Greg and Paula Cummings and another Lake City VA Medical Center Staffer. | | |
The May 4th Dinner Meeting at the Waterfront and Sub Museum
With Our Local US Coast Guard Maritime Security and Safety Team (MSST) Unit
| The May meeting of the Council recognized our adopted unit, the USCG MSST Kings Bay and was held at the Saint Marys Waterfront and the Submarine Museum. Members and Guests had the opportunity to board and inspect one of the deployable Rapid Response Boats, talk with the crew, and see and talk with Jenny and her handler, one of the MSST’s K-9 teams. Following the buffet dinner we recognized the MSST Sailor of the Quarter, Petty Officer 2nd Class Katherine Arway. Lt. Cmdr, Mark Kechum, MSST Commanding Officer, gave a very interesting presentation of the Coast Guard, where the MSST units fit into the big picture, and then on the roles of MSST Kings Bay. We appreciate the Submarine Museum hosting the meeting which gave the MSST the opportunity to display their RRB. This was Lt. Cmdr Ketchum’s last event with Camden-Kings Bay since his Change of Command was less than a month away. | For more information to support or for membership
by clicking the red text. | |