Regional Update

President’s Report

Pacific Region Navy League partnered with other organizations (Air Force Association Hawaii, Friends of Hickam, AFCEA and AFCAC) on activities that promote Navy League’s goals and objectives. These activities included co-hosting Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH) and NATO briefs. The purpose and intent of the JBPHH briefing was to help all involved better understand the processes of the joint base project between Pearl Harbor Navy Base and Hickam AFB and how it will affect all parties concerned. The purpose of the NATO brief was to provide the audience with an understanding of, and knowledge about, NATO. It was a fundamentally educational, not political, presentation and addresses themes and issues relevant to the day; these include: NATO’s history and transformation post Cold War, NATO in Afghanistan and other theatres of operations, the costs and benefits of NATO membership, NATO in the 21st Century and the challenges to NATO.

Hawaii Area President, Jim Hickerson and several Council Presidents attended a training session in Honolulu (Apr).

The Honolulu Council hosted several major functions which included the Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year (Apr) in which sponsor donations enabled over 250 sailors to participate and the Individual Augmentee Recognition Luncheon (Mar) which honored the IA’s and their spouses. Both events were attended by Flag Officers in the region. The Honolulu Council is working towards the planned adoption of the USS Hawaii in June 2010. The Honolulu Council also maintains a strong connection with the USS Chung-Hoon which was adopted in December 2009. A strong Navy League presence is felt locally due to the Honolulu Council’s ongoing efforts; regular golf tournaments, Bridge events (for the elite business members) and multiple military ceremonies.

In addition to regular board and member meetings, the Hilo Council was actively involved with the April Merrie Monarch Festival. During this time the USS Crommelin was visiting the port of Hilo; crew members and the Navy 5 piece Dixie band participated in the parade. Rear Admiral Dixon Smith and his wife attended the Merrie Monarch Festival for 2 evenings and Rear Admiral Smith did a ½ hour radio interview on local station KWXX FM.

The Kauai Council held several fundraising dinners and supported visiting ships. They also plan to support the Fourth of July events at the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai.

The Maui Council has been quiet the first part of 2010, and has just completed NL training. After visiting Oahu for training, they are meeting with the board to create an events planner to revitalize their council for the future.

Greater Pacific Area President, John Sides, visited National Headquarters to review issues associated with the Thailand Councils. He has recently returned from visiting both Pattaya, Thailand and Singapore where he reviewed each country’s unique requirements and restrictions to having a Navy League Council. The same goes for Korea where adaptation/acculturation has been necessary to become more active within each country. John also plans to visit the Tokyo Japan Council next month.

The Korea Council has hosted several main recognition events in the past few months; the Senior and Junior Sailor of the Year Luncheon for Commander US Naval Forces Korea, Senior and Junior Sailor of the Year Luncheon for Commander US Fleet Activities Chinhae, Senior and Junior Sailor of the Year Luncheon for US Navy Information Services Korea, assigned to SUSLAK. They hosted a dinner for the Military Sealift Command and Fleet Activities Chinhae and a lunch and city tour for the crew of the USS Avenger during a port visit to Busan. They also hosted transportation, lodging, tours, and entertainment for a weekend get-away at Cherry Blossom Festival at Gyeongju, Korea for members of Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae with members from Seoul and Southern Chapters.
The Korea Council managed to achieve membership goals and met the maximum numbers of members allowed in Korea. They established two $1,000 academic grants for family members of US Maritime Services assigned in Korea and distributed 100 sports bags to US Marine Forces Korea personnel.

The President of the Korea Council, John Sides, traveled to NLUS Headquarters in Arlington, VA to review membership topics.

Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard Council has been visited by 25 US Navy Ships since January 2010 and has hosted each one of them with a welcome party whereby they invited a group of Officers and crew (between 30-100 guests for each reception). They recognized the Sailor of the year and the Blue Jacket of the year from their adopted ship the USS Tortuga LSD 46. They adopted the USS Shiloh and will recognize their Sailor of the year and their Blue Jacket of the year year during the vessel’s next visit to Thailand. In addition, the Thailand Eastern Seaboard Council held a Dinning Out event for departing RADM Nora Tyson from COMLOGWESTPAC, RADM Chaiyot Commander of the RTN 2nd Frigate squadron and Director of CARAT 2010. The event was attended by several high ranking officers from the U.S. Navy and the Royal Thai Navy as well as many distinguished members of their community.

The Thailand Eastern Seaboard Council has been actively involved in all visiting USN ships, by providing them with information and other material during their stay, including organizing 3 concerts for the visiting US Navy 7th Fleet Band.

Since the beginning of the year, the Thailand Eastern Seaboard Council has assisted with the set-up 37 Comrels which helped the underprivileged in Thailand and provided over 26,000 free Shim (phone) cards to active duty military members. They have managed to maintain the same number of Community Affiliated Sponsors by replacing the lapsed members with new ones. They accomplished all this during a time where the country is torn apart with political problems and funds are extremely difficult to obtain.

The Guam Council is hosting a golf tournament to raise funds for the enlisted Navy Birthday Ball. They have also hosted banquets for the Sailor of the Quarter winners.

The Singapore Council hosted several social events for Marines at the U.S. Embassy, a cocktail reception for ADM Pat Walsh, COMPACFLT and an AGM and Presentation by RADM Nora Tyson, COMLOGWESTPAC

Sasebo Japan and Commodore Perry Councils continue to have a strong presence in their vicinities and have been working on fund raising activities and events to promote Navy League awareness.

The Pacific Region has continued to move forward and we have been documenting our journey online at www.navyleaguepacificregion.org. This is a new functional website which has proven to be a valuable informational tool to Navy League directors and associates within Hawaii and the Greater Pacific Region. Photos etc of events are availing on the website.