Navy League Pittsburgh Council

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 

Outgoing Council President Tom Clark holds a “State of the Council” Zoom available to all members

January 14, 2024

Outgoing President Tom Clark reviewed our council’s status and 2024 activities with members you participated via the Zoom meeting.  Our council is healthy.

• We have 187 members, two-thirds of which are Life Navy League members.
• Our Bylaws were updated to bring us into the 21st century and created new Board of Directors positions.
• In 2024 our Council received four awards – Meritorious Council, Website, Social Media (Facebook) and Newsletter.
• We continue our USS Pittsburgh scholarship (SSN 720 submarine).
• Planning has begun for our participation in the latest USS Pittsburgh, LPD 31, and subsequent relief crew.
• The Council, and local Rotary club, held the annual VA picnic.
• We, and other Navy organizations, sponsored a successful Navy Ball, Keynote speaker was veteran and former Pittsburgh Steeler, Rocky Bleier.
• We continue to have network luncheons with the local Navy organizations.
• We had two visits by Flag Officers.
• Polly Bozdech-Veater continues as an active Ombudsman.

We welcomed our new Council President, CAPT Byron King (USN, retired)

Fair winds and following seas Tom.

January 14, 2024

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. 

USS Pittsburgh Scholarship Open

The Community Foundation of the Alleghenies is now accepting applications for the USS Pittsburgh Scholarship.  Former crew members or dependents are eligible to apply.  

Apply at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=cfallegheniesscholarship

Scroll down to the following text on the link:

2025 USS Pittsburgh Scholarship Accepting Submissions from 12/18/2024 to 03/07/2025

The USS Pittsburgh Scholarship provides financial support to former crew members and their dependents of the USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) to further education at an approved college, university, trade school. Applicants must be a former crew member or a dependent of a former crew member of the USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720).

Application deadline: March 7, 2025

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

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?

Here's our answer.

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/.

Veterans Help Group

The only thing Veterans Help Group does is help veterans and their families get the veterans disability benefits they deserve.  Here's their website:

 Home - Veterans Help Group

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.

Pittsburgh Council, Patriotism & Gratitude, Honor, Knowledge, Service, Awareness, & Engagement