Events in Review

The February Dinner Meeting of the Mayport Council Navy League of the United States was held at Ocean Breeze Conference Center on Naval Station Mayport. The Guest Speaker for the evening was Captain "Andy" Blomme, the new Commander of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville.

He provided overview of the state of the Coast Guard in Jacksonville. Despite antiquated equipment, limited resources and overextended missions, the men and women of this exemplary service have performed a multitude of missions flawlessly. He spoke of the heroic efforts as part of the initial response team to Haiti, from providing security, medical support and even delivering a baby or two. Additionally, he recounted the numerous inland waterway rescues of distressed boaters often under hazardous conditions. Lastly, he could not thank the Coast Guard Auxiliary enough for all their support to "hold the torch" to assist when necessary.

The Navy League of the United States is a civilian organization open to all.

For membership information, please call Pat Pumphrey, 280-0941

Jacksonville Military Community,

The Week of Valor is here! I've sent a listing of events in an earlier email, and you can reference www.makeascenedowntown.com for complete information on the Sea and Sky Spectacular, featuring the Blue Angels and all other events. Other news:

CONGRESSMAN CRENSHAW RECOGNIZES VIETNAM VETS

The following note is from US Rep. Ander Crenshaw's office: "It is my pleasure to invite you to the 4th Congressional District Vietnam War Veterans' Commemorative Ceremony, which will be held in the new helicopter Hangar 1122 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Monday, November 9 at 10 A.M. We will be honoring veterans who served during the war period. Each veteran who has applied will receive a specially designed certificate. The United States Navy; RADM Tim Alexander, Southeast Region Commanding Officer; and the Greater Jacksonville USO are helping to host this memorable event."

P2-V DEDICATION

Bravo Zulu to VP-5 and NAS Jacksonville for today's outstanding ceremony to dedicate the newly-refurbished P-2V Neptune at Heritage Park on the base. Squadron members spent months to create a memorial to LA-9, the aircraft on an ill-fated Cold War mission January 12, 1962. The aircraft crashed on the Kronborg Glacier in Greenland and was not discovered until 1966 and not recovered until 2004. All 12 crew members on board were lost. Family members and friends of the crew were on hand, and VP-5 Commanding Officer Cdr. Frank Naylor read a stirring account of the search for LA-9 from the log of the VP-5 skipper in 1962. Stop and look at the aircraft and new memorial plaque if you are on NAS any time soon.

RIDE 2 RECOVERY AT MAYPORT

Here is a great way to support our wounded warriors and Veterans: On 17 December, the Ride 2 Recovery (a USO sponsored event) will end a five-day bicycle ride from Tampa and arrive at Naval Station Mayport. Proceeds from the charity event help our injured heroes return to a normal life. The CNO, Admiral Gary Roughead, plans to ride the final two days and the CO of Mayport, Captain Aaron Bowman, will make the final day ride from World Golf Village. Also, Naval Station Mayport will dedicate a beach access for disabled persons on the Naval Station that day. The City of Jacksonville is trying to get maximum participation on the final couple of miles down Mayport road into the base. Mayport is still working the details on when and where to meet as well as how to register for the final miles and get into the base, but please save the date on your calendar. I know Captain Bowman would like nothing better than to have all of our elected officials and community supporters join him and the CNO at a great event at the Naval Station. You can get more details and sign up for the ride or sponsor an existing rider at the following website: http://www.road2recovery.us.com/ .

SHINSHEKI ANNOUNCES $12 MILLION FOR JACKSONVILLE NATIONAL CEMETERY

The following is a recent VA news release:

WASHINGTON (Nov. 5, 2009) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced an $11.8 million contract to develop the next phase of the Jacksonville National Cemetery, which opened for burials in January 2009.

"VA is committed to providing the benefits that the Veterans of northern Florida and southern Georgia have earned," said Secretary Shinseki. "By developing new burial areas and building permanent facilities at Jacksonville National Cemetery, we are keeping the promise we made to them."

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded the contract to E&E Enterprises Global, a service-disabled, Veteran-owned small business from Hampton, Va. The contract calls for the creation of 13,600 gravesites, including pre-placed crypts, in-ground cremain sites, columbaria niches and a memorial wall.

Infrastructure construction will include an administration and public information building, a maintenance complex, two committal service shelters, a public assembly area, utilities and an irrigation system. The project will also incorporate roads, signage, landscaping and site furnishings.

This 68-acre development is expected to provide an estimated eight years of burial benefits for Veterans and their families. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011.

Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov, or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, call 800-535-1117. For information about the facility, contact the cemetery staff at (904) 766-5222.

ROTARY HONORS WWII VETS

The Rotary Club of Orange Park will host a lunch at the Rotary Pavilion at Moosehaven, on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) to honor all Veterans, and WWII Vets in particular will be introduced. Lunch is at 11:45 and the guest speaker, Capt. Bob Harrington, USN, ret., will be at 12:30. They are asking for a $5 donation and the point of contact for information and RSVP is John Cantrell at 264-3200.

NEW NAVAL SHIP STORE AT THE LANDING

When you get a chance, check out the new USS Adams Naval Ship Museum Store at the Jacksonville Landing. It just recently opened and has ship memorabilia and all sorts of stuff for naval buffs.

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think would be interested. If you would rather not receive these emails, or if you have someone to add, just let me know. The purpose of these updates is to link the City of Jacksonville and our military community, and to announce upcoming events and news, in our effort to be the "most military-friendly community" in the country.