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Navy League Pittsburgh Council

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.


248th Navy Birthday Ball

October 13, 2023

We had a great Navy Birthday Ball.  Held at Edgewood Country Club, attendees included active Navy enlisted and officers, retired Navy, Steel City NROTC Midshipmen, civilians and RADM Tom Anderson as the guest speaker.  Sequence of events included: Call to Order, Parade the Colors, National Anthem, Invocation, Sailors Creed, Honors Table, Recognition of Unit CO's, Honored Guests, RADM Anderson providing the Birthday message, cake cutting, dinner and dancing. 

A few highlight pictures:

Navy hats

Active and retired Navy participants leave their hats on the entrance table.

Parade the colors

Following the Call to Order by CWO2 (SS) Bob MacPherson, USN (Ret.) the Steel City NROTC Color Guard parades the colors.

RADM Anderson

RADM Tom Anderson, Acting Commander, Navy Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) delivers a heartwarming message.

Cutting the Cake 2023

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 BoD

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.


Keel Authenticated for Future USS Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Council of the Navy League of the United States was represented at the keel authentication for the future USS Pittsburgh, LPD 31, by Captain Polly Bozdech-Veater, former Navy League national vice-president.

Pittsburgh Navy League sponsored the former USS Pittsburgh, SSN-720 for over 36 years and will do so for the “new” USS Pittsburgh.

https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/Article-View/Article/3415027/keel-authenticated-for-future-uss-pittsburgh/

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, June 11, 2023:

Newest USS Pittsburgh under construction in Mississippi | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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.

From the Huntington Ingalls Industries website:

HII Begins Fabrication of Amphibious Transport Dock Pittsburgh (LPD 31)

See the following link: (you may need to copy and paste in your browser)

https://HII.com/news/hii-begins-fabrication-of-amphibious-transport-dock-pittsburgh-lpd-31


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

Color Guard

Emcee Bob MacPherson

MC

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.

RADM Harris

Cutting the Cake - Oldest to Youngest Sailor

Cutting the cake

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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3rd Quarter 2023 Port of Pittsburgh Newsletter posted

The 3rd Quarter 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.  

Content includes the President's message, 2023 Navy Ball speaker, Veterans Breakfast Club schedule, our own Polly Bozdeck-Veater award, Tuskegee Airman anniversary, Coast Guard birthday and much more.

RDML Richard Seif & CAPT Jason Deichler webcast held July 27 

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


Looking Forward to Exciting and Rewarding Events in 2024

The Pittsburgh Council looks forward to 2024, 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. 



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.

Submarine USS Pittsburgh Memorabilia

Still Available

We have in our inventory a small number of USS Pittsburgh memorabilia items.  Since the USS Pittsburgh has been deactivated, once they are gone, we will not have any future memorabilia inventory to remember this boat.  These make great holiday items to remember and to celebrate this fast attack submarine Pittsburgh namesake.  The following listing displays the item, the quantity available and price (shipping charges are included).

Item                                                    Quantity                         Price

Metal Travel Mugs                                   3                               $30

Acrylic Christmas Ornament                 8                               $20  

Ballcaps w/logo                                        7                               $25   

Lapel pins w/logo                                   31                              $5

To purchase any item, please contact John Caspero at: primary: e-mail - jfcaspero@verizon.net; secondary: home phone  (412) 257-6141 

Announcements

Non - Navy Military Related

November/Early December "Happenings" in Western PA

Compiled by member Polly Bozdech Veater

NOVEMBER

Nov 3-Nov15: Registration for Military Families Holiday Carnival. https://operationsantapgh.com/ 

Nov 7: Department of the Labor Vets Off Base Transition Training (OBTT) GoodWill (Lawrenceville) Workshops 10am - 12pm: LinkedIn Profile; 1pm - 3pm: LinkedIn Job Search. Register/further info: www.dol.gov/obttworkshops. POC: Marlene Ciesielski,  M: 412-295-5841 marlene.ciesielski@serco-na.com

Nov 7: Restore 22 Coffee Roadshow,  10 AM-Noon, Friendship Perk and Brew, 300 S. Pacific Ave, Pittsburgh, 15224 RSVP/more info:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restore-22-coffee-roadshow-tickets-739561156327. POC: Christine Ree, 

christine.ree@restore22.org

Nov 8: Veterans Breakfast Club, 15th anniversary, 8 AM-Noon, River's Casino, free breakfast; resource fair. Register:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-breakfast-club-15th-anniversary-breakfast-at-the-rivers-casino-tickets-724197663707?aff=oddtdtcreator

Nov 9: GI Jobs Get Hired Workshop, Virtual, noon-1 PM  Register: https://www.gijobs.com/get-hired-workshop?utm_source=pgh_reserves&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gij+get+hired+workshop+nov+9&utm_content=pgh+reserves+newsletter&utm_ID=gij

Nov 9: UPMC Veterans Job Fair,  3-7 PM, Acrisure StadiumRegister/further info: bit.ly/upmc-veterans   A chance to win prizes--Steeler tickets, concert tickets, etc. 

Nov 11:

Nov 13: Food Share, Veterans Leadership Program, Noon-2 PM 2934 Smallman St, Pittsburgh PA 15201, 

Nov 14: Department of the Labor Vets Off Base Transition Training (OBTT), CCAC (Allegheny Campus-Jones Hall) Workshops: 10am - 12pm: Creating Your Resume; 1pm - 3pm: Employment Rights. Register/further info: www.dol.gov/obttworkshopsl  POC: Marlene Ciesielski, M: 412-295-5841 marlene.ciesielski@serco-na.com

Nov 14: Military Mindful Movement Moment, 7-8 PM, Apple Blossom Activity Room, 125 Apple Blossom Way, Moon Township, PA 15108, More info/register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-mindful-movement-moment-4m-tickets-694525954827  POC: Christine Ree, christine.ree@restore22.org

Nov 15: Family Support Meeting, 1 PM, 316th Sustainment Command, 99 Soldiers Lane. RSVP NLT Nov 14, to Polly, bozdechvpm@aol.com

Nov 16: GI Jobs Virtual Job Fair, noon-4 PM, Register: thttps://www.gijobs.com/virtual-job-fair?utm_source=pgh_reserves&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=virtual+job+fair+nov+16&utm_content=pgh+reserves+newsletter&utm_ID=gij

Nov 17: Vetrepreneur Franchise Workshop. 3-4 PM, Register: https://vetrepreneur.com/franchise-workshop/?utm_source=pgh_reserves&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=vetrepreneur+franchise+workshop+nov+17&utm_content=pgh+reserves+newsletter&utm_ID=vet

Nov 20: Food Share, Veterans Leadership Program,  Noon, 727 Goucher St, Johnstown, PA ,

DECEMBER

Dec 1: NORAD Track Santa, https://www.noradsanta.org/en/. Activities, etc from Dec 1 till Dec 24, evening.  A chance to track Santa as he makes his way across the world---and you can even talk live to a Santa Tracker on Dec 24

Dec 2: Operation Home Front Holiday Meals, Commissary Gift Cards, register at https://operationhomefront.org/events/?state=pennsylvania&event-type=holiday-meals#ListingTitle

Dec 9: Military Families Holiday Carnival

Dec 16: Wreaths Across America, laying of wreaths at National Cemeteries.  More info: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/GetInvolved/PlaceWreaths

Dec 16:Candy Cane Lane Powered  by Operation Santa for veterans and retirees. Check  https://operationsantapgh.com/  for registration details, etc. 

General info:

911th Steel City Airman Support Team quarterly newsletter "The Moose", attached

PA Treasury, Unclaimed Military Medals Link:  https://unclaimedproperty.patreasury.gov/en/Medals

Home Appliances from Home Depot: Access the AAFES website, https://www.shopmyexchange.com/a/3539981?iid=home-depot, You can purchase Home Depot appliances through AAFES, tax free. Upon checkout, customers are brought back to ShopMyExchange.com to check out. There is the option of no payments for 6 months (with 0% financing) when using a MILITARY STAR card.The appliance is delivered by The Home Depot. The delivery dates are set by the customer. Professional delivery and installation on select appliances of $396 or more is free.  Pricing is 1% less than lowest price at Home Depot



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.

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 (June 13, 2023) 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.

Resume help: 

Here is a resource for your reference: https://www.resumebuilder.com/veterans-resume-and-job-hunting-guide/.


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