Navy League’s newest council, the Pacific Merchant Marine Council, was ‘launched’ aboard the SS Jeremiah O’Brien in San Francisco December 11 by National President John Panneton, accompanied by VADM Albert Herberger, National Vice President for Merchant Marine Affairs. RADM Frank X. Johnston, MARAD Western Administrator joined in the event.

The charter ceremony, held aboard the World War II liberty ship, was witnessed by 80 attendees as the 44 charter members were recognized and sworn in. The first Council President is Captain Kerry O’Brien, USMM(Ret.), and the membership includes many merchant mariners, union representatives and Navy Leaguers who became dual members.

Pacific Merchant Marine Council is the culmination of [a concerted] effort to focus attention on the nation’s US-Flag Merchant Marine, according to Don Hale, Pacific Central Region president.

“The setting for this important event in the Navy League, aboard the historic Jeremiah O’Brien in San Francisco Bay, seemed most appropriate,” Hale commented. “We expect the Council to grow under Kerry O’Brien’s leadership … as the significance of its focus grows.”

Join us for our dinner meeting on Thursday, 25 January at the Monterey Elks Lodge, 150 Mar Vista Drive.

Social hour will begin at 6 PM, and your choice of a chicken teriyaki or stuffed pork chop dinner will be served at 7 PM.  Coffee and dessert is included for $24 per person.     

Our speaker will be Jim Dodge, Captain, USN (ret), Navy League of the U.S. Central Area Pacific Region President, who will install our 2007 Board and update members on the end of the Navy’s F-14 program, status of the USS IOWA project/Navy Ship Donation Program, and Navy League Headquarters/Region issues. 

You can print the coupon by clicking this link to the  January Newsletter  and use it to make your reservation(s). Please be sure it reaches Lois (625-5113) by Monday, 22 January.

Canterbury Woods, Tuesday, January 9 at 6 PM in the Canterbury Room. Any interested members may attend. Board members are invited to dinner prior to the meeting. Please contact Spud if you would like to come to dinner.