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2013 Outstanding Council Award
Recipient of the Outstanding Council Award
Founded May 15th, 1957
2nd Quarter, 2015 Vol. 41 Issue 2
Dinner Meetings
Our Dinner Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at
5:45 pm. All dinner meetings are at Carey Hilliard’s Banquet Center
unless otherwise announced. 11111 Abercorn Ext. (across from Home Depot)
Our April speaker, Captain Paul Young was commissioned in 1992 at the University of Nebraska.
He has served two tours in command at sea. Most recently, he commanded USS McInerney
(FFG 8) from 2009-2010. During his tour he led McInerney through a successful deployment to
the USSOUTHCOM Area of Focus during which McInerney disrupted more than ten metric tons
of narcotics and became the first Navy ship to deploy with the Fire
Scout Vertical Takeoff/Landing UAV. Prior to that, from 2005-2007, he
commanded MCM Crew Reaper embarked in USS Devastator (MCM 6)
and USS Gladiator (MCM 11), where he deployed to the Arabian Gulf in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Previous to these assignments,
Captain Young made multiple afloat deployments in support of
Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Active Endeavor, Operation
Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Captain Young is currently Commodore of Littoral Combat Ship
Squadron 2 (LCS 2) at Mayport Naval Base, Florida. He will discuss
this new LCS squadron, its capabilities and mission, soon to
arrive at Mayport.
Next meeting is April 21st.
Reservations are due no later
than close of business on
Friday, April 17th. The cost
is $22 per person. Please
contact Aunette Shipes
[email protected]
or call 912-330-0932 to
reserve your place.
President’s Message
On behalf of the Savannah Navy
League, I would like to THANK ALL
who participated in the St. Patrick’s
Day Parade and Festivities! We had
a great parade committee and the
most participants ever! From the
marching crews, to the nine volunteer
car drivers, to the Admirals, Captains,
and Commanders that rode in these cars, and to all the
volunteers who helped before, during, and after, we say,
“THANK YOU!”
Our Savannah Navy League is busy as ever with
dinners, events, and “fun things” for our members. But, we
do need YOUR help in bringing more guests to our dinners,
and increasing our membership. Any and all of your ideas
would be greatly appreciated, please!
Our Family Readiness Groups (FRG’s) are starting to
give out our Baby Gift Bags, which means new babies are
being born! For more info on these and details of all our
events, please read through this edition of the Steamer and
visit us on Facebook – Savannah Navy League, and don’t
forgot to “LIKE” us, too! Also, visit our website often for
updates: savannahnavyleague.us
Happy Spring!
[email protected]
WILL
TWO OF OUR
2015 WE
Board
ofMISS
Directors
STALWARTS
New Board Sworn In at January 20 Dinner Meeting
Front (L-R): Craig Maggioni; Joe Tillman, 1st Vice
President; Francesca Bedell; Pat Yovich, President;
Larry Sprague, Secretary; Chuck Towles; O.C. Fowler,
2nd Vice President; Tom Latham, Past President; Ed
Robb, Judge Advocate. Back (L-R): Mick McCay; Cliff
Angers, Treasurer; Gary Johnson; Jeff Zureick, Vice
President; Ed Lavish, Vice President of Legislative
Affairs; Mark Gibbs; Alan Yovich; Bob Tully.
NL Logo Items Big Sale on
Selected Inventory Supplies!
Treasurer’s Report 1st Quarter
Cliff Angers, Treasurer
Through the first three months of this year Council Income was $ 7283 and
total Expenses were $ 5629 netting a positive gain of $ 1654. As of the end of
March we had a bank balance of $ 21,459.
Our current Dues Campaign (December through end of March) has tailed
off and despite our dues increase from $15 to $25 per year, our total in take
from dues and special contributions is only 6% ahead of last year’s campaign.
Last Year’s Campaign thru March This Year’s Campaign thru March
+/- $s +/- %
Dues $2,815
$3,587
+$772 +27%
Contributions $3,030
$2,295
-$735 -25%
____________________________________________________________________________
Total Revenue $5,845
$5,882
+$37 +6%
If you are a member reading this newsletter and have not paid your local dues
for 2015 please send the $ 25 in to Jeff Zureick ASAP and please be generous
with your special contributions.
Bonus Bucks Campaign-Savannah Morning News: Pat Yovich and I met
with the newspaper to begin to plan with the Board for how to best make
use of the $ 2900 in free advertising generated by the great activity of our
members. This is a great asset for the Council and thank you to everyone who
participated.
2 / Savannah Steamer - 2nd Quarter 2015
This Big Sale centers on a 50% discount on Ladies
Sweaters (Med. to 2XL sizes) and a Scoop Neck
Shirt
(Small), Men’s Polo Shirts (M-LG and 2XL-3XL), Navy
League Books, and Navy League Pins.
If one of these sizes fit you (and/or family members or friends)
please take advantage of these great deals from $15 to $1
(depending on the cost of the selective product in inventory).
Savannah Navy League Logo merchandise products look
great and are free advertisement for the League in town. Our
stock on logo caps ($15) and T-Shirts ($18) remain the same.
All other merchandise which might not be in inventory such as
various sizes and/or jackets, vests, shrugs and other past logo
products will be ordered at the same price of original listed.
Don’t worry - for your convenience we will have plenty of order
forms that are easy to fill out at the dinner meetings. Your order
will be processed immediately and will be available by the next
dinner meeting. Payment will not be required until the orders
are received and approved by the member.
Sales for all items can be obtained through Bruce and Ann
Ellis at upcoming dinner meetings and/or just call or email us.
Contact info: email address [email protected]
or call (912) 660-5125.
News from Our Adopted Submarine
USS
30th Reunion
What an exciting event to learn about and be part of! One of
the original “Plank Owners”, Waino Salo, of the USS Alaska,
launched 12 Jan 1985, decided 3 years ago to gather any of
the crew members from around the country to visit Kings
Bay, the current home of the USS Alaska (SSBN732). That
dream of Waino’s brought 60-70 of the original crew, Plank
Owners, and 1st Time Submariners together 11 Feb 2015 at
Kings Bay. In attendance were Pre-Commissioning CO
Capt. P L. Callihan, Blue; Pre Commissioning XO Capt. Tom
Fursman, Gold; and the wife and daughter of deceased Capt.
Charles Chotvacs, Gold, Mrs. Beverly Chotvacs and Heather
Chotvacs - who received special awards. Many stories were
told, and many a tear shed, especially when they toured the USS
Alaska and saw their original Plank Owners plaque still hanging
on the wall with their names still imprinted as they remembered!
Little did they know that the Savannah Navy League adopted
the Alaska and her Crew in late 2009. We learned of this event and
they learned about us, 10 days before the reunion. Tom Latham,
Alan and Pat Yovich were privileged to be “honor guests” and share
how our Savannah Navy League supports the Gold and Blue Crew
AND their families. The comments heard from the crowd while
Pat was speaking - “Where were you 30 years ago?” Friendships
were established; invites were made to go to Anchorage, Alaska
where Waino and his wife have made their home, and history was
made with the USS Alaska crews - 30 years ago and today.
And as a huge surprise, that 30th Reunion Crew – through the
Live Auction of their special banner – gave their proceeds to our
Savannah Navy League - a donation of over $1000 to continue our
support of the USS Alaska crews and their families!
L-R: LCDR James Mahoney, Ececutive Officer (Blue Crew); MMCM Brian
Doebler (COB Gold Crew); CDR Craig Gummer (Blue Crew CO); Deanna
Gummer; Pat Yovich; CDR Jeff Nesheim, Executive Officer (Gold Crew);
Tom Latham.
A Heartfelt THANK YOU to
Waino, the Plank Owners, and the
entire crew of the USS Alaska for
their service to our Country and
the support of our Savannah Navy
League. I am sure Waino Salo would
love to hear from all of you. More
stories to tell and friendships to be
made.
His address: Mr. Waino Salo
8761 Beachwood Dr.
Anchorage, Alaska 99502
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Rear Adm. Chas Richard, commander of Submarine Group 10, right, and Capt.
Bill Houston, commodore of Submarine Squadron 20, left, present commanding
officer’s and chief’s of the boat of both crews of the Ohio-class ballistic-missile
submarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732) with a Battle Efficiency “E” plaque during a
Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) ceremony on 23 FEB. (L-R) CAPT William
Houston, Commodore Sub Squadron 20, COB Alaska Blue Dave Wright, CDR
Todd Figanbaum, CO - Alaska Blue, CDR Craig Gummer, CO - Alaska Gold, COB
Alaska Gold, Brian Doebler, RDML Chas Richard, Commander, Sub Group 10. USS
(Blue) Change of Command
A Change of Command is an extremely symbolic and important
event for a ship. In the case of Savannah Navy League’s adopted
submarine the USS Alaska (SSBN 732) a Change of Command for
the Blue crew was held on 27 March at the Naval Submarine Base
in Kings Bay.
Commander Todd A. Figanbaum who has been the CO for the
last 2 years was relieved of that assignment. Shortly, he will be on
the way to his new assignment in the Pentagon. A graduate of the
University of Idaho, he served onboard the USS Boise (SSN 764),
the USS Maryland (SSBN 738), and the USS Providence (SSN 719).
Assuming command is Commander David S. Forman. A
graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served onboard the
USS L. Mendel Rivers (SSN 686), the USS Chicago (SSN 721), the
USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) and the USS Columbus (SSN 762).
The guest speaker was Captain William J. Houston,
Commander, Submarine Squadron 20.
L-R: Alan Yovich; Pat Yovich; Tom Latham; CDR David Forman and
his wife, April Forman; Katherine Tillman; Joe Tillman. Not Pictured:
Joanna and Ed Lavish.
Savannah Steamer - 2nd Quarter 2015 / 3
The 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade was
the largest ever for the Savannah Navy
League. It was a beautiful day and a
grand time was had by all.
We had nine cars and four marching
units. The participants were:
•
•
Navy Leaguers of the Year - 2014
Bob Gephart and Tom Latham,
driven by Gil Clarke in his 1931
Ford Roadster.
•
Rear Admiral Charles Richard,
Commander Sub Group 10, and
his wife Lisa, driven by Kathy
Roberts in her 2013 Mustang.
•
Rear Admiral Annie Andrews,
Commander Navy Recruiting,
and her aid Lt. Kearley driven
by Carolyn Overton in her 2002
Corvette.
•
Crew of LCS Squadron 2 with
their banner.
•
Capt. Paul Young, Commander
LCS Squadron 2, and his wife
Kate, driven by Carol Brown in
her 2013 Bentley.
•
4 / Savannah Steamer - 2nd Quarter 2015
Savannah Navy League banner
carried by two midshipmen from
SSU NROTC
Capt. Steve Homes, Southeastern
Surface Fleet, and his wife
Jeannine, driven by Daniel
Fields in his 2008 Mustang.
vy League enough
the Savannah Na
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was a day that
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St. Patrick’s Da
weather was
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Happy Easter -
•
Capt. Todd Lacy, Commander SSU
NROTC, driven by Ken Schuster
in 1991 Miata.
•
Crew of the USS Alaska Blue, with
their banner.
•
CDR. Todd Figanbaum,
Commander USS Alaska Blue
(SSBN 732) and his wife Lisa,
driven by Everett Boaen in his
2004 Porsche.
•
Crew of the USS Samuel B. Roberts
with their banner.
•
CDR. Erica Hoffmann, CO USS
Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58),
driven by Lynn Pasquale in her
2001 Porsche.
•
Crew of the USS McFaul with
their banner.
•
CDR. Michael Gunther, CO USS
McFaul (DDG 74), driven by Bill
Pilon in his 1960 Corvette.
Sailors who march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade usually have to wait in Forsyth Park for 2 or 3 hours
before stepping off. This is a great opportunity for Navy Leaguers to meet them and make them feel
welcome to Savannah. Mike Campbell, Bob Tully, Larry Sprague, Ed Robb, and other Navy Leaguers
spent time in the park doing just that this year. The quality of these young sailors is truly impressive. Try
to put this on your 2016 St. Patrick’s Day calendar – you’ll have a great time!
Admiral Chas Richard and wife Lisa
Savannah Steamer - 2nd Quarter 2015 / 5
Family Readiness and Support Groups
Savannah Navy League’s newest outreach to our associated
sea services is our direct support of sailors’ families. The
Navy / Coast Guard sponsored groups are to referred as FRG’s
(Family Readiness Groups) or FSG’s (Family Support Groups).
Our initial offerings include Baby Bags (includes supplies for
newborns) and date night packages (hotel room, dinners, etc.)
for their fund raising raffles. We hope to learn from these efforts
how we can best offer meaningful assistance to these families,
especially when their sailors are deployed. Contributions by
our members will assist us in these efforts.
Left: Vicci Ford, President of USS Alaska
Gold FRG, loading baby bags donated by
Savannah Navy League, into her car to
deliver to Kings Bay.
Below (L-R): Deanna Gummer; Taylor
Horton with her son Joe; Vicci Ford;
and Francesca Bedell at USS Alaska
Gold FRG meeting at Kings Bay.
Patti Zureick presenting gift bags for newborns to
USCG Air Station FSG Allison Garfield and son Cole.
Mary Jo Crowe, Karen Angers, Patti Zureick, Ed Lavish and other Navy
Leaguers joined with the Coast Guard Air Station Family Support Group
to help with the Easter Party for their children, including a magician, face
painting, and lots of candy!
St. Patrick’s Day Ship Visit
USS
Makes a Short Visit to Savannah
The Navy League’s St. Patrick’s Day activities started off with the
arrival of USS McFaul (DDG 74) on the morning of March 16.
We participated in the wardroom briefing just after arrival. Two
of our members at the briefing, Joost Gompels and Tom Wright,
had attended the McFaul’s 1998 commissioning in Savannah.
Later that afternoon, officers and crew joined local community
leaders, other military personnel, and Navy League members at
the traditional Jasper Green Ceremony held in Madison Square.
The Navy was represented in the St Patrick’s Day Parade as
described in the article on pages 4 & 5. Parade participation by
officers and sailors was a tremendous success.
6 / Savannah Steamer - 2nd Quarter 2015
Ed Robb
Unfortunately, because of GPA berth
congestion beyond our control or the
control of the ship, the McFaul had to
make a premature departure early on
March 18. Thus we had to cancel the
traditional on board ship reception,
two community relations projects
(crew house painting project / crew
visit to the West Broad Street YMCA)
and the ARMY / NAVY softball game
at HAAF.
1st Quarter Meetings Recap
Over these past few months, we’ve had quite the list of guest
speakers. We started the New Year off with Mr. Tim Tyler, a former
civilian intelligence officer with the Department of Defense. He
could “neither confirm nor deny” a good number of interesting
stories that he amassed during his six tours in Afghanistan as an
advisor with the Afghan National Security Forces. Mr. Tyler also
discussed his work as the Georgia State Director for Concerned
Veterans for America.
At February’s meeting, we were able to congratulate CDR
Todd Figanbaum, CO of the USS Alaska (Blue Crew), for earning
the Battle “E” award. Thankfully, CDR Figanbaum brought along
his Wikipedia notes to answer all of our questions regarding the
USS Alaska so he didn’t divulge any secret information.
For our March meeting, Senior Chief Ron McCready
(Surfman #344), Officer in Charge of USCG Station Tybee,
discussed the history & tradition and also his personal experience
as an elite U.S. Coast Guard “Surfman.” This small community,
comprised of highly trained coxswains, is trained to navigate their
vessels into breaking waves to conduct dangerous search and
rescue operations.
Our April, our guest speaker will be Captain Paul Young,
January
February
Commodore of LCS Squadron Two, based in Mayport, Florida. On tap for May, CDR John Rivers has granted us special access for
a tour of the USCG Air Station Savannah on HAAF. We’re going
to start things early (4:30) for our May meeting so that everyone
will have a chance to walk around, see the aircraft, and ask any
questions. The details will be emailed and also posted on the
website when time gets closer. And, as always, please RSVP to help
with planning our events.
New CO for Savannah State NROTC
Captain Todd Lacey joined the
Savannah State University NROTC
unit in March, 2015 as Commanding
Officer. He is a 1993 graduate of the
University of South Carolina NROTC
Program. After receiving his Naval Flight
Officer designation, he completed
many assignments including VPU1 Commanding Officer conducting surveillance patrols in
Afghanistan and East Africa.
CAPT Lacey, upon graduation from the Naval War
College, was accepted there as Military Professor of Strategy
and Policy. His personal awards include the Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals,
three Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, the
Joint Service Achievement Medal and four
Navy Achievement Medals. He looks forward
to preparing young men and women for the
Naval and Marine Corps Service.
USCG Awards
AET1 Kevin Washko
– USCG Air Station
Savannah Sailor of
the Quarter
MST2 Amanda Dixon, MSU Savannah’s
Sailor of the Year for 2014.
AMT3 Jeffrey Maher – USCG Air
Station Savannah Sailor of the
Year 2014
NOT PICTURED
YN1 Medrick Dorson –
USCGR Marine Safety
Unit Savannah Sailor
of the Year 2014
YN1 Justin Goodrum –
USCG Marine Safety Unit
Savannah Sailor of the
Quarter
Sailor of the Quarter, FN Caitlin Tompkins
– USCG Station Tybee
Savannah Steamer - 2nd Quarter 2015 / 7
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Savannah Navy League
PO Box 16918
Savannah, GA 31416
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
Paid
Savannah, GA
Permit #213
Official Document: Savannah Council of the Navy League of the United States
2015 Officers & Directors
President...........................................Pat Yovich
1st Vice President............................ Joe Tillman
2nd Vice President........................ O. C. Fowler
Vice President.................................Jeff Zureick
VP Legislative Affairs..........................Ed Lavish
Judge Advocate................................... Ed Robb
Treasurer......................................... Cliff Angers
Secretary.....................................Larry Sprague
Past President................................Tom Latham
Directors: Bruce Ellis, Craig Maggioni,
Chuck Towles, Bob Tully, Mick McCay
Mark Gibbs, Alan Yovich, Hugh Robinson,
Francesca Bedell, Gary Johnson
Upcoming Events
April 21
April 23
April 28
May 5
May 6
May 11
May 19
May 22
June 2
June 16
5:30 PM Monthly Dinner Meeting Carey Hilliard 11111 Abercorn St
11:00 AM SSU NROTC Spring Review SSU Stadium
7:00 PM Jenkins High School NJROTC Awards Carey Hilliard
5:30 PM Board of Directors Meeting
USCG Air Station
TBD
South Effingham HS NJROTC Awards S Effingham HS
10:00 AM Johnson HS NJROTC Awards Johnson HS Auditorium
4:30 PM Monthly Dinner Meeting & Tour USCG Air Station HAAF
9:00 AM USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) Decomissioning Mayport Naval Station
5:30 PM Board of Directors Meeting
USCG Air Station
5:30 PM Monthly Dinner Meeting Carey Hilliard 11111 Abercorn St
Look on Page 2 for Details on Our
!
E
L
A
S
BIG
Savannah Steamer Newsletter
Editor Bob Gephart
Layout
Mick McCay
Photographer
Lynn Wright
The Navy League of the United States Is a civilian
organization dedicated to informing the American people
that the United States of America is a maritime nation
and that its national defense and economic well-being
are dependent upon strong sea services-United States
Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast
Guard, and United States Merchant Marine.
The full-color printed edition of the Savannah Steamer is published
quarterly .Additional news to the members is posted via emails and
updates to the Savannah Council’s website and FaceBook page.
The Savannah Council of the Navy League is a
501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Contributions
are tax deductible.
On Select Navy League Logo Items
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Affiliates . . .
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