National Capital Council Presents First Sea Services Award

Sea Power, Nov 2004 by Atkinson, Peter E

U.S. Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young Saluted for Work With Appropriations Committee

The National Capital Council presented its first Congressional Sea Services Award to U.S. Rep C.W. "Bill" Young, R-Fla., in a ceremony on Capitol Hill Sept. 22.

The award, which will be given annually by the council, honors a U.S. representative or senator for outstanding contributions to the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. A senator will receive the award next year.

In remarks during the ceremony, Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England praised Young's service and dedication on behalf of the sea services as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Leaders from each of the sea services were on hand to salute Young, with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark; Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee; Vice Adm. Terry M. Cross, vice commandant of the Coast Guard; Robert B. Ostrom, chief counsel of the Maritime Administration, and retired Coast Guard Adm. James M. Loy, deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, all offering remarks.

National Capital Council President Mack C. Gaston and Navy League National President Sheila M. McNeill presented the award to Young. The award features a compass binnacle from the SS Sioux Falls Victory, a Victory ship that saw duty during World War II, Korea and the Vietnam War. Its crew earned a battle star for action during the assault on Okinawa in 1945. The binnacle is on loan from the Maritime Administration.

Young has represented Florida's 10th District, which includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater, for 34 years. During his tenure, Young has served on the House Armed Services Committee, chaired the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National security and served 14 years on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Clark was on hand two weeks earlier in Japan to present Frederick Harris, president of the Commodore Perry Council of Tokyo, with his Secretary of the Navy Superior Public Service Award. The Navy Public Service Awards were presented at the Navy League National Convention in June, which Harris was unable to attend.

Clark was in Japan for a four-day tour that took him to Naval Air Facility Misawa, Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Fleet Activities Yokosuka, and presented Harris with the award during the council's Navy League Luncheon Sept. 10.

Fleet Week, Coast Guard Mission Day Make for Busy Summer for Seattle Council

The Seattle Council ended the summer in a flurry of activity, hosting or participating in a series of events that included SeaFair 2004 Fleet Week festivities and Coast Guard Mission Day on Puget Sound.

On Aug. 5, Region President Ron Testa, Council President Thomas E. Jaffa, a national director, and several council business members and officers were among the guests that rode aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard from Everett into Elliott Bay with the parade of ships that kicked off Fleet Week in Seattle. Among the ships visiting for Fleet Week were the amphibious transport USS Duluth, the dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor, guidedmissile cruisers USS Princeton and USS Shiloh, and the Canadian Navy's coastal-defense vessel HMCS Nanaimo.

Following the Parade of Ships, the council hosted its annual Officers' Reception, with guests including Adm. William J. Fallon, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; Rear Adm. Bob Passmore, deputy commander, Navy Region Northwest; Rear Adm. Len Hering, commander, Navy Region Northwest; Vice Adm. Michael J. McCabe; commander, Third Fleet; and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

McCabe was guest speaker the following morning for the annual Sea Services Breakfast that honored 14 "Sailors of the Year" and "Enlisted Persons of the Year" from visiting Navy and Coast Guard ships and local commands.

Aug. 11 saw a change of command aboard USCGC Polar Sea, one of the Seattle Council's adopted ships. Capt. Mark Miller was relieved by Capt. Bruce Toney at a ceremony featuring keynote speaker Vice Adm. Harvey E. Johnson, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area & U.S. Maritime Defense Zone Pacific. A week later, Navy Leaguers from Seattle and around the region took part in the 2004 Coast Guard Mission Day where they were able to see 13th Coast Guard District ships, helicopters and equipment being put through their paces on Puget Sound.

On Sept. 1, Community Affiliate member Argosy Cruises hosted the third annual Royal Argosy Salute to the Navy League Dinner Cruise. Guests of honor at the event, which included a cruise around Elliot Bay, were Navy League National Directors Carol Ann and Cole Hackley. Capt. Rob Parker, the new chief of staff for the 13th Coast Guard District, was among the many sea services guests.

On Sept. 11, Jaffa, Tony Armstrong, council vice president of legislative and youth programs, and past council President Cec Allison attended the Blue Angel Sea Cadet Squadron drill activities at Coast Guard Integrated Systems Command, Seattle. The council members presented a check for $1,000 to unit commanding officer Lt. Donna Homan.