Our Mission Matters
By PHILIP L. DUNMIRE, Navy League National President
Throughout the course of the Navy League’s 109th National
Convention in Chattanooga, Tenn.,
Oct. 26-29, sea service and civilian
leaders alike drove home the message that our mission of educating
the public about the importance of
maintaining a strong maritime presence does, indeed, matter.
From the Welcome Aboard reception, to the Wounded Warrior Reception at the Tennessee Aquarium, to
the closing dinner, Navy Leaguers
from around the world and guests
experienced Southern hospitality at
its finest. The convention’s host —
the Greater Chattanooga-John J.
Spittler Council — set the tone for a productive, energizing and enjoyable week. [See story, page 58]
Among the sea service leaders joining us to speak in
various venues were Kevin M. Tokarski, the Maritime
Administration’s associate administrator for National
Security; Adm. Mark E. Ferguson III, vice chief of Naval
Operations; Coast Guard Vice Adm. John P. Currier, the
service’s first deputy commandant for Mission Support;
Rear Adm. Thomas H. Copeman III, Navy chief of
Legislative Affairs; Maj. Gen. Timothy C. Hanifen,
Marine Corps director of Expeditionary Warfare; and
Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz, Coast Guard director of
Government and Public Affairs. Each noted the difficult
budget climate and fiscal uncertainty their services face.
Now, more than ever, they need the Navy League’s help
in communicating with lawmakers and the public about
the critical role the sea services play in the defense, security and prosperity of this nation.
“The Navy League has never been more important
in these times that we face as a nation, to help us carry
that message and to educate a new generation about
the responsibilities of leadership that we have as a maritime nation,” Adm. Ferguson told the audience at the
closing dinner.
One of the most important goals in our mission of
education and advocacy is supporting our sea service
members and their families. That is why the Sea
Service Awards Luncheon is such a special event each
year. [See story, page 66]
Hundreds of nominations for
these awards pour in to Navy League
Headquarters, and it is the job of the
Awards Board to select the best of the
best for their courage, initiative,
achievement and commitment to
excellence. This is a monumental
undertaking, and again we were
honored to have J. William Middendorf, former secretary of the Navy
and U.S. ambassador to the United
Nations, as Awards Board chairman,
his 34th year in this important role!
Particularly exciting was seeing
the standing ovations for two award
winners. First for the bravery under
fire displayed in Afghanistan by
Naturally, another highlight of the convention for me
was my induction on Oct. 29 as the 47th national president, as well as the swearing in of national vice presidents, area and region presidents, and new members of
the Board of Directors. We have an energized, focused
leadership team, which will be exciting to work with.
I also unveiled my “Every Member Get a Member …
Involved” initiative. It is aimed at getting more Navy
League members, including new members, engaged in
doing the work of the Navy League. It is my hope that
mentorship will match individual skills and strengths with
tasks that further the core missions of our organization.
Congratulations to the Chattanooga Council and 2011
National Convention Committee Chairman Dan Saieed
and his team for an outstanding event. I also extend my
thanks to the Navy League Headquarters staff for the
event’s seamless execution. See to you in Honolulu in June!
