Council News and Features
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Navy Ball
2023
Following the Call to Order by CWO2 (SS) Bob MacPherson, USN (Ret.) the Steel City NROTC Color Guard parades the colors.
RADM Tom Anderson, Acting Commander, Navy Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) delivers a heartwarming message.
CAPT Tom Clark, USN (Ret.), President Navy League Pittsburgh Council, LCDR Rick Elster, USN (Ret.), and Midshipman Shannon McKay cut the birthday cake.
RADM Anderson and members of the Navy League Pittsburgh Council Board of Directors.
Polly Bozdech-Veater awarded Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year
Please join us in congratulating our own Ms. Polly Bozdech-Veater as the 2023 recipient of the Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman Of The Year Award! Polly has successfully created a sense of community throughout Western Pennsylvania, both as our Navy Ombudsman and as a citizen of the Steel City. She has been a wealth of information for all of us and her support is unwavering. We are truly blessed by having her as part of our team!
Well done and well deserved, Polly!
The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) established the Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year Award. Mrs. Stockdale set an unflagging example for her support to families of other POWs during the seven-year internment of her husband, Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, in Southeast Asia.
Mrs. Stockdale’s commitment to Navy families
exemplifies the foundation of the Ombudsman Program today. She set the example
by establishing the National League of Families of American Prisoners in
Southeast Asia to provide support for families of other POWs. More than 40
years later there are over 2,000 dedicated volunteers serving Navy families as
Ombudsmen.
Nominated by their commanding officers, these ombudsmen maintain the highest standards of professionalism and create a healthy sense of community by being positive role models for command members and their families. They serve as a principal source of assistance and support during deployment, mobilization and times of emergencies. Recipients of this award have exhibited selfless dedication and service to the command families.
Navy Birthday Ball celebrating the 247h Birthday of the U.S. Navy
Friday, October 14th, 2022
It was a great event.
The Pittsburgh Council of the Navy League of the United States sponsored the annual Navy Birthday Ball on Friday, October 14, 2022. Once again, this year the Pittsburgh Council was joined by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, the U.S. Submarine Veterans Requin Base, and the Chief Petty Officers Association of McKeesport and Pittsburgh as co-sponsors of the celebration.
Keynote speaker for the event was Rear Admiral Sinclair “Sinc” Harris, USN (Ret). Currently serving as Vice President for Client Relationships at the Logistics Management Institute in Washington, DC, he also serves as Immediate Past President of the National Naval Officers Association, Vice President of the Navy League of the United States, and as a board member of the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society. Prior to his retirement from the Navy, his most recent assignments included: tours in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the Deputy Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division and as the Director, Navy Irregular Warfare Office/Future Concepts; the Commander of U.S. Naval
Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet; and as the Vice Director for Operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Harris' decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit and campaign awards.
Steel City NROTC Color Guard
Emcee Bob MacPherson
RADM Sinclair Harris delivering his moving words about core values, faith, family, our constitution, the Navy and having a healthy dialogue moving forward.
Link to the text of RADM Sinclair Harris' remarks at the Navy League Pittsburgh Navy Ball, 2022.
Cutting the Cake - Oldest to Youngest Sailor
RDML Richard Seif & CAPT Jason Deichler webcast held July 27, 2022
RDML Seif is Commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Groton, CT. Capt. Jason Deichler is the past CO of the USS Pittsburgh and now the Director of Training, Naval Submarine School. Here is a rebroadcast of the webinar link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qavNLhQGJmy_4tXj4UW1ui2zyqRTSyBo/view?usp=sharing
Council Participated in the National Wreaths Across America Day – December 18, 2021
From the National Wreaths Across America website:
“National Wreaths Across America Day has a simple mission: “Remember fallen U.S. veterans; honor those who serve; and teach your children the value of freedom.” This important day is an annual event that takes place every third Saturday in December at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as other cemeteries in the U.S., at sea, and abroad. Wreaths are laid as family and friends remember both those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who currently serve in the armed forces.”
On December 18, 2021, members of the Pittsburgh Council helped the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.
The following letter was received by our council coordinator:
Dear Robert MacPherson,
On behalf of the Wreaths Across America organization and our family of volunteers and supporters across the country, we want to thank YOU for your support of the Mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and their families, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. As Wreaths Across America founder Morrill Worcester told the audience at our recent Appreciation Rally "we've just barely scratched the surface" of honoring every veteran as they so deserve, but we have done so much and touched so many lives, and we could not have done any of it without your support.
During this year's National Wreaths Across America observance, more than two million dedicated volunteers placed more than 2.4 million veterans' wreaths at 3,136 participating locations across the country. At Arlington National Cemetery specifically, the Wreaths Across America program saw 66 tractor-trailers deliver over 250,000 veterans' wreaths that were placed by nearly 38,000 volunteers, many of whom were children, some participating for the very first time.
As I think of those numbers, each of those gravesites, and each of those volunteers saying the servicemember's name out loud and sharing a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy, I am immensely humbled. I am also truly overwhelmed with pride for the people of this great nation where so many individuals and communities can come together in unity and support for those who have protected our freedom. I will say it again: THANK YOU. Thank you for your time and your efforts, your sponsorships, and your help in sharing the word. Thank you most of all for taking the time during this busy season to join us in letting veterans and military families know that their service and sacrifice is both seen and appreciated and that they are not alone in their loss.
Remember. Honor. Teach.
With gratitude,
Karen Worcester
Executive Director
Wreaths Across America
Steel City NROTC Commissioning Ceremony
May 21, 2021
The Steel City NROTC Commissioning Ceremony was held at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh on 21 May 2021. The unit commissioned 12 Ensigns and two Marine Corps Second Lieutenants. The Guest of Honor and speaker was MajGen Thomas Jones, USMC, (ret).
Ensign Matthew Beck was awarded a Naval Officer sword from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Reserve Officer Association and the Navy League Pittsburgh Council. Ensign Beck received a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Pittsburgh and was Company Commander for the fall 2020 semester. The sword was presented by Nick Krawec, CDR, USN (ret) on behalf of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Reserve Officer Association, and Robert Conway CAPT, USN (Ret) on behalf of the Navy League Pittsburgh Council.
Ensign Elizabeth Rullo was awarded the Midshipman of the Year Award from the Navy League Pittsburgh Council. Ensign Rullo received her degree in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and will join the Nuclear Power community as a Surface Warrior.
Commissioned 12 Ensigns and two Marine Corps Second Lieutenants.
Ensign Elizabeth Rullo was awarded the Midshipman of the Year Award from the Navy League Pittsburgh Council.
Ensign Matthew Beck was awarded a Naval Officer sword from the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Reserve Officer Association and the Navy League Pittsburgh Council.
Others pictured include Commanding Officer, Steel City NROTC, Captain William McKinney, USN, and the Guest of Honor, (in civilian suit) MajGen Thomas Jones, USMC, (ret).
Wreaths Across America 2020
Our council participated in the annual Wreaths Across America by laying wreaths at the tombstone of our deceased military personnel in the Cemetery of the Alleghenies, near Pittsburgh. On National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 19, over 2500 locations participated, placing 1.7 wreaths on veteran's tombstones. Our council member, Polly Bozdech-Veater took this picture on that snowy day.
Veterans Day Fireside Chat with our own Captain Polly Bozdech-Veater (USN ret.)
Our own Captain Polly Bozdech-Veater (USN ret.) was privileged to have a fireside chat with the City of Pittsburgh Talent Acquisition Senior Director on Veterans Day. Polly discussed her Navy career, the local Navy League in Pittsburgh, and her passion for supporting local veterans and active duty personnel.
RDML James Aiken webinar with the Pittsburgh Council
Our Council was honored to have RDML Aiken present to us in July, 2020. RDML Aiken is Commander, Carrier Strike Group Three. His bio is below.
Here's the webinar for your enjoyment.
RDML James Aiken Navy biography.
2019 Navy Ball
On Oct. 11, the Pittsburgh Council held its Navy Ball at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, featuring guest speaker Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning (ret.), who now serves as the director of management at Director of Navy Staff. Participants included local Navy commands, NOSC, NTAG and the Steel City NROTC.
We had 155 people attending including representatives from the Army, Coast Guard and Air Force. A great DJ had everyone out on the dance floor. The food was wonderful ---smoked beef brisket, smoked chicken, and pecan crusted salmon. The birthday cake from Oakmont Bakery was delicious.
Attendees proudly cut the birthday cake. From left to right:
LCDR Rick Elster (oldest sailor); Bob MacPherson, Pittsburgh Council President; Chief Broskovich, President McKeesport-Pittsburgh Chief Petty Officer Association; youngest sailor, MIDS/4 Eliana Fleischer and the guest speaker, FLTCM Scott Benning, USN Ret, guest speaker.
USS Laboon Crew Visit
Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) traveled to Pittsburgh March 18-21 to visit the hometown of their namesake and members of his family.
See the link to the USS Laboon:
See the press release regarding the visit:
Council Supports Coast Guard During 2019 Partial Government Shutdown
The
Pittsburgh Council was in constant contact with the three Coast Guard stations
in the Pittsburgh and Erie area, including weekly phone calls, visits and dozens of email contacts.
The council also helped the Coast Guard locate local and national resources to
assist them during the government shutdown, provided gas gift cards worth
$1220 total and sponsored two Super Bowl parties.
Letters of Appreciation
Navy Ball held October 12, 2018
The Pittsburgh Council had a great Navy Ball in Pittsburgh on Oct. 12 with the theme “Forged by the Sea, Tempered by the Steel City.” Rear Adm. David Hahn, Director of Naval Research and past commanding officer of the USS Pittsburgh, was the guest speaker.
From our 4Q2018 Newsletter:
This year was the first year in a long time that the Navy Ball was held in the ornamental gathering place where it had been held in years past. The great committee worked very hard to put together all the pieces that would make this work. Feedback from some of our core constituency had indicated that a central location would be more convenient and there are very few locations as nice and affordable as the main ballroom at Soldiers and Sailors. The benefit of having a place so closely tied to the Navy’s history in Pittsburgh was indeed a bonus. The staff at Soldiers and Sailors, the caterers from All the Best Catering and Eric Wenning from Wenning Entertainment bent over backwards to work with us to make this a great event.
Nearly 200 tickets were sold and the crowd that gathered that night to hear Rear Admiral David Hahn (a former CO of the USS Pittsburgh) speak about the future of the Navy and its proud relationship with Pittsburgh.
Lt. Sam Colton played a key role as Master of Ceremonies and kept the program on track and on time.
LCDR Rick Elster, USN Ret., used the Table of Honor Ceremony to remind us of those who were not able to be in attendance because of their sacrifices. We had a special performance by Ms. Antolena Damico, who set the stage with a brilliant rendition of the National Anthem and kicked off the entertainment with two crowd pleasing songs.
There are so many people to thank, including Captain Polly Bozdech-Veater for keeping the program tight and well scripted and Ensign Brooke Houle for her tireless work behind the scenes. If you saw one of the special coins we used to raise funds, you saw her work. It was her design that was used on all our branding. As a bonus, over 650 coins have been sold to date which helped to make sure we kept our budget in control. Thanks to McKeesport-Pittsburgh Chief Petty Officer’s Association and all the committee members for making this an evening to remember.
Most of all, thank you to our many sponsors including Bill Wolffe, CFP, Fragrasso, USAA, Sarris Candy, John Van Huyck, Vic Hulina, Katherine Kersten, CWO2 and Mrs. Bob MacPherson, Captain Jim Bendel, USN Ret, and Dr. and Mrs. Karl Ludwig. Without their generous support, we would not have been able to get this done.
RADM David Hahn speaking at the Navy Ball
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.