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Navy League Pittsburgh Council
See the pictures of the 2024 Navy Ball below and the article in the latest newsletter
Message from our Council President
Winter 2024
Friends of the Sea Services,
I cannot believe that it has been a little over five years since I was asked to consider serving as your President. While somewhat reluctant at first, I finally agreed to submit my name for consideration and was subsequently elected to the position I have held ever since.
Once installed in January of FY-2020, I quickly did a top-level audit of the organization and it was clear to me that even though we were doing a lot to support our served active-duty commands, there was much more that could be accomplished by the team. You may remember, we were approaching the end of our long-term support of the USS Pittsburgh, SSN-720 with the subsequent dispersal of the “Relief Crew”. With this in mind, I developed our first annual “Business Plan” prioritizing our Council’s goals and objectives for the year, and with the approval of the Board, published it to the Council Membership in the first quarter FY 2020 Port of Pittsburgh Newsletter.
Frankly, “Life was Good”, that is until the Covid Pandemic hit us hard and life as we knew it changed radically. While I am not going to list all the things that were done to be able to continue to operate under the restrictions imposed by the Pandemic to achieve our objectives, I am going to say that it was only possible because of the tireless work by your Board of Directors, along with the exemplary support of you, our dedicated Council Membership. In my initial letter to you, I asked for your support during my term in office, and I am both humbled and honored to have received your unwavering help and assistance whenever needed. You all deserve to take pride in the fact that our Council was not only able to successfully navigate the stormy waters of the Pandemic, but we did so while continuing to receive national recognition for the level of excellence with which it was accomplished. In summary, “BRAVO ZULU” to each of you! Looking forward,
I anticipate that I will be relieved in January by Byron King, who as your new, and very capable President, will provide the quality leadership that will assure a strong future for our Council. All that said, I am not going far since the bylaws provide an advisory position to the Board as “Immediate Past-President” where, in addition to providing support to Byron, as well as other board members as requested, I will continue to serve on the Advisory Committee to the new USS Pittsburgh, LPD-31 Commissioning Planning Group.
In closing I would like to wish you all “Fair Winds and Following Seas” as you navigate the oceans of life, along with my sincere wish that you and your families have a blessed Holiday Season and a healthy, prosperous, and Happy New Year!
Tom Clark, President
Looking Forward to Exciting and Rewarding Events in 2025
The Pittsburgh Council looks forward to 2025, a year for exciting new events.
Details for events will be provided as final plans are firmed up.
If you would like to support our Nation's and local Sea Services and have fun doing so, just get in contact with our President listed on the "Board of Directors" tab above.
Council Updating our Membership Roster
The Pittsburgh Council is currently in the process of updating our roster in order to ensure that it contains the most current information for all Active Members. To accomplish this “update”, each member with a current e-Mail address will receive an e-Mail to confirm their information. For those who do not have a correct e-mail on record, you will receive either a telephone call from a Board Member, or a “hard copy” letter confirming the status of your membership and updating the information (e-mail, telephone, home address) that you are willing to share with us. Please note: Your privacy is #1 and will continue to be our primary concern, and your information will not be shared outside our organization.
New Navy Ship Named USS Pittsburgh
Edited from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 18, 2021
The last U.S. Navy vessel named for the city of Pittsburgh, a submarine, retired in 2019 after 35 years at sea, but the Navy announced that a new ship will bear the city's name.
Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite said a future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock will be the USS Pittsburgh (LPD-31), the fifth Navy vessel to honor the city. With Marines embarked, the ship has a crew of over 1000 Officers, Chiefs and enlisted. The normal crew size is a little over 350 - about three times the crew size our beloved USS Pittsburgh SSN 720 submarine.
"As a proud resident of the Keystone State, I know that Pittsburgh is a proud city with a strong legacy of service to our nation," Mr. Braithwaite said in a Navy video. "And the name USS Pittsburgh has served the Navy well."
Prior ships bearing the name of the city were a Union ironclad, cruisers in both world wars and most recently a Los Angeles-class attack sub that completed its final tour in 2019.
"I am confident that the crew of the future Pittsburgh will demonstrate the same excellence in support of amphibious and littoral operations around the world,” Braithwaite said.
The new 25,000-ton USS Pittsburgh was ordered in April, 2020 and is being built at a Mississippi shipyard by Huntington Ingalls Industries. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks are designed to transport troops and equipment to battle zones around the world. The class includes the USS New York, the first of three LPDs built in honor of the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks. The New York's bow stem was cast using steel salvaged from the World Trade Center. The others are the USS Somerset, site of the crash of Flight 93 on 9/11, and the USS Arlington, where another plane hit the Pentagon. Materials from the sites were incorporated into both ships.
The class also includes USS Harrisburg, being built in the same shipyard as the Pittsburgh.
The last USS Pittsburgh was a submarine launched in 1984 and saw action in both Iraq wars. It marked its 1,000th dive in November 2017, after which the crew posed for a picture holding a Terrible Towel, shown in the Legacy tab on our website.
We are moving legacy, unforgettable items and events to the "Pittsburgh Council News and Features" page. See link to the right.
Updated Resource List posted below.
249th Navy Birthday Ball
October 2024
The annual Navy Ball was another wonderful affair. This year the special keynote speaker was Mr. Rocky Bleier, injured Viet Nam veteran and Pittsburgh Steeler. Rocky gave an emotional and heartwarming speech, a summary of which is in our 4Q 2024 newsletter which can be read in the "newsletter tab".
As with our great military tradition we started with the colors.
Our own Capt. Polly kicks off the event. Followed by the memorable speech by Rocky Bleier.
And the traditional birthday cake for desert before dancing.
The well-dressed members of our Pittsburgh Council pose with Rocky Bleier.
Is the Navy League still needed?
From the Navy League Headquarters: “The Navy League of the United States, founded in 1902 with the support of President Theodore Roosevelt, is a nonprofit civilian, educational and advocacy organization that supports America’s sea services: the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.”
The question for some today might be, after 121 years, is the Navy League still needed?
Port of Pitsburgh Newsletter all Digital
Our award winning "Port of Pittsburgh" newsletter is now all digital. All future editions will be sent via email to our members and continue to be posted on our website. The benefits include reduced cost and speed of delivery.
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4th Quarter 2024 Port of Pittsburgh Newsletter posted
The 4th Quarter 2024 Port of Pittsburgh Newsletter, the official publication of the Navy League of the United States, Pittsburgh Council, is posted. See Ports of Pittsburgh tab above.
This edition is loaded with great information. Articles include our President's message, summary of our Navy Ball with Rocky Bleier as our keynote speaker (moving speech by Rocky), and a wonderful article and pictures about the USS New Jersey renovation for its berth in a museum.
Announcements
Non - Navy Military Related
Memory Care Resource Guide for Veterans
A study conducted by NIH (National Institute of
Health) found that veterans are twice as likely to develop dementia. Aside from
the normal aging process, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress
disorder make veterans more vulnerable to dementia than the general population.
To help veterans and their families, we have been provided with a guide to memory care for
veterans This resource goes over dementia in detail and shares treatment
options as well as available VA programs and resources.
You can view the guide here: https://wwwmemorycare.com/veterans/.
Paying for Senior Care for Veterans
There are approximately 18
million senior veterans living in the U.S., many of whom may be eligible for
various assisted living and home care benefits. The guide on
PayingForSeniorCare.com provides comprehensive information on the options
available to senior veterans, whether they are living in a nursing home,
assisted living facility, or at home. This information will help veterans meet
their basic needs, stay safe, active, and healthy.
Here’s the link to the guide: https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/veterans.
A Guide to Veteran's Benefits
If you’re a veteran, there are many resources available to you, including some specific to older adults and those in need of long-term care. But navigating these benefits can be confusing.
This guide helps veterans understand available benefits, uncover financial assistance opportunities, and provide ideas that can reduce the costs associated with long-term care – whether in a nursing home, assisted living community, or at home.
Here’s the link to the guide:
https://www.caring.com/resources/veterans-benefits/.
Here's a link to a resume builder and job-hunting guide for veterans
https://www.resumebuilder.com/veterans-resume-and-job-hunting-guide/.
Our Navy League Council has no affiliation with these organizations.
Resources for Military (active and reserve) and families in the Pittsburgh Area
The newly updated Resource List (April 15, 2024) is posted here. This is a comprehensive listing of local resources specifically available for veterans and active-duty military personnel. Resource topics include military, legal, veterans, family, financial counseling, retail discounts and many more. Here's the Military Resource List.
Pittsburgh Council Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/people/Navy-League-Pittsburgh-Council/100078913353627/
Facebook Pages Related to Pittsburgh and the Sea Services
Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh https://www.facebook.com/USCoastGuardPittsburgh/
Navy Reserve Center Pittsburgh https://www.facebook.com/NOSC-Pittsburgh-389972627801302/
USCG Station Erie, PA https://www.facebook.com/uscoastguardstationerie/
World Affairs Council, Pittsburgh https://www.facebook.com/WorldAffairsPGH/
US Submarine Veterans Inc. https://www.facebook.com/USSVIncorporated/
USS Laboon (DDG 58) https://www.facebook.com/USSLABOON/
USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) Blue Crew https://www.facebook.com/USSPennsylvania735Blue.gov/
USS Pennsylvania Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/124934005695/
USS Requin (SS 481 )https://www.facebook.com/USS-Requin-SS-481-383745111100/
Who we are:
The Navy League of the United States was founded in 1902 with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt. The Navy League is unique among military-oriented associations in that it is a civilian organization dedicated to the education of our citizens, including our elected officials, and the support of the men and women of the sea services and their families.
The objective and purpose of the Navy League is
twofold: educational and motivational. We must acquire and display
before the citizens of our country information regarding the condition
of our naval and maritime forces. We must awaken interest and support in
all matters which aid our maritime capabilities.
To this end, the Navy League works closely with the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and US-flag Merchant Marine through a network of 265 councils in the U.S. and around the world. The Navy League has more than 65,000 active members.
The Navy League supports America's young people through its youth programs, including sponsorship of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy League Scholarship Program. Individual councils are also involved in promoting youth-oriented activities in their communities such as NJROTC, MCJROTC, and ROTC units along with other recognized youth programs. Local councils and national headquarters provide over $200,000 in scholarships and awards every year.
Navy League councils support active duty military personnel through
"adoption" of ships, installations, and units; commissioning ceremonies;
award programs; and other recognition programs.
Over the years,
the Navy League has compiled an impressive record of accomplishments.
Today the Navy League is widely respected by citizens, community and
industrial leaders, and public officials. Navy League programs are
welcomed in communities throughout the nation, and members are
recognized for their integrity and patriotism.
To Join Navy League of the United States and the Pittsburgh Council, please go to the National Navy League site at:
http://www.navyleague.org
Pittsburgh Council, Patriotism & Gratitude, Honor, Knowledge, Service, Awareness, & Engagement
The Navy League of the United States is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating our citizens about the importance of sea power to U.S. national security and supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families. Visit www.navyleague.org for the national updates.