Sea Cadets visit Life Force at Erlanger Medical Center

(Click on the pictures for full size photos)

The Sea Cadets of Chattanooga Division got the rare opportunity to visit the Life Force Helicopter Operations Center and Hangar facilities at Erlanger Medical Center during their drill on April 5, 2007.


Their hosts, Life Force Flight Paramedics Jerry McDonald and Johnny Hale guided them through the facility where the cadets first visited the flight operations center where all emergency calls requesting the airborne ambulance service originates. There they were familiarized with weather radar, airborne helicopter locations, flight planning, and emergency disaster planning.

LC 3 Conley Parlaman and SR Cody Hufstetler checks out the
Cockpit of the Life Force helicopter.

Afterwards, the cadets toured the hangar area where they got a close up look at the helicopter and learn of its many capabilities.

SR Charles Wright, PO3 Timothy Newman, PO3 Nick Madaris and PO3 Seth
Patton discusses Life Force Helicopter operations with Flight Paramedic
Johnny Hale.








First Row (kneeling): PO3 Nick Madaris, PO3 Seth Patton, PO3 Tim Newman.
Second Row: Pilot Michael Paul, Flight Paramedic Jerry McDonald, SR Cody Hufstetler
SN Zach Sheckley, Derrick Bowers, SR Blake Hedrick, LC1 Myles Mouton,
SR Connor Tygart, SR Charles Wright, Flight Paramedic Johnny Hale.
Third Row: LC3 Conley Parlaman, PO3 Ariel Kehoe, LC1 Xander Kehoe

Other Division News

At the Divisions quarters ceremony on 5 April 2009, NSCC PO3 Nicholas Madaris and Navy League Cadet PO3 Ariel Kehoe were presented the 2008 Chattanooga Division “Sea and League Cadet of the Year” award for being selected the most outstanding cadets in 2008. Petty Officers Madaris and Kehoe will be formally recognized on 21 April 2009 by the Greater Chattanooga Navy League at their quarterly meeting.

Chattanooga Division Sea and League Cadets of the Year
PO3 Nicholas Madaris and PO3 Ariel Kehoe

Tennessee Post Offices partner with Tunes 4 the Troops!

This just in from Stephanie E Radzyminski:

Hello and Easter Blessings!

I wanted to share some wonderful and exciting news with you...

Last night we got a phone call from the United States Post Office for the Tennessee District. They have approached us to support Tunes 4 the Troops by having in ALL Tennessee offices the opportunity to buy a $1.00 stamp to help with shipping costs to send boxes of CD's and DVD's to the Troops. That is over 300 main offices, and about 300 smaller locations. We are so very excited as this will cover the entire state, and parts of our neighboring states as well. This is the first time that the USPS has "partnered" with a non-government agency or group. Depending on how this goes it has the possibility to go national! Look for the information in your local Tennessee Post Office within the next month!!!

Thank you for all you do and have done to help make Kaylee Marie's efforts so successful!

Tunes 4 The Troops Fundraiser and Auction May 1st 2009

Please visit her website www.tunes4thetroops.org to see all that has been going on.

Tunes 4 the Troops is having its
3rd Annual Fundraiser and Auction will be on May 1st, 2009
at the Museum Center at 5 points in Cleveland.

Tickets are $100 per person. Payable to "Tunes 4 the Troops"

It will start at 7pm-11?

For tickets please call Stephanie Radzyminski 423-331-2307 or email tunes4thetroops@hotmail.com

(Food, beer and wine will be served all evening.)


*These are some of the people that will be attending to support Tunes 4 the Troops:

Adjutant General Gus L. Hargett, Department of the Military

"ROCK STARS MARK SLAUGHTER OF "SLAUGHTER" AND GUNNER NELSON FROM THE 1980'S BAND "NELSON" (RICKY'S SON).

COUNTRY SINGER KEVIN SHARP AND
(POSSIBABLY HIS BROTHER IN LAW COUNTRY SINGER NEAL MCCOY)

HEISMAN TROPHY WINNERS JOHNNY RODGERS, 1972 FROM NEBRASKA

1980 WINNER FROM SOUTH CAROLINA GEORGE ROGERS - THEY WILL BOTH HAVE THEIR TROPHY'S WITH THEM.

CINCINNATI BENGALS FORMER STAR PETE JOHNSON.

FORMER N.B.A SUPERSTAR DARRYL DAWKINS PHILADELPHIA 76ERS.
AKA - CHOCOLATE THUNDER.





The sports items we have to auction so far;

1. OFFICIAL HEISMAN TROPHY FOOTBALL, IT HAS THE SIGNATURE OF 25
TROPHY WINNERS

2. MUHAMMED ALI'S BOXING GLOVES

3. “38 SPECIAL” AUTOGRAPHED GUITAR.

4. KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR AUTOGRAPHED JERSEY.

5. BRETT FAVRE AUTOGRAPHED HELMET

6. KEN GRIFFEY JR. & SR. AUTOGRAPHED BAT

7. REGGIE JACKSON AUTOGRAPHED LITHOGRAPH.

8. PEYTON MANNING AUTOGRAPHED TENNESEE HELMET

9. EDDIE GEORGE AUTOGRAPHED TITANS HELMET.




These are just some of the other 100+ items we have to auction,
it will be a LIVE auction.

Cruise from Outland Travel (3/4 weekend or 4/5 if mid-week)

White water Rafting from Outland Expeditions (for 6, and with extras)

$250.00 Catering Package from P.F. Changs Chattanooga

$195.00 in gift cards from Outback Steak House

Cabin in Gatlinburg, TN

6 tickets to Dollywood

Family 4 pack to Children's Discovery Museum

2 Foursomes at Chatta Valley Golf course

UT Vols bean Bag Chair from Mary's Furniture

Pet Bed from Murmaid Mattress Factory

Cleveland City Proclamation to name a day in honor of...

Bradley County Proclamation to name a day in honor of...

Be Sherriff of Bradley County for the Day (age 17 and under only)

Be Fire Chief of Bradley County for the Day (age 17 and under only)

Train with the Cleveland City Chief of Police and the Cleveland City SWAT Team, and ride along. (over 21 only)

2- two day passes to NASCAR race in Bristol, TN (night race)

$300.00 in Chanel perfume, (2 women’s, 1 men’s) from Belks

Simple will- no probate

April Dinner Meeting Features RDML Scott A. Weikert

6 PM Tuesday April 21 2009

The Quarterly Dinner is back at The Walden Club in downtown Chattanooga, 633 Chestnut St. Ste. 2100. Come on down and see the best view in town!

Call Bob Gill at 886-0133 to make a reservation, especially since we have new pricing!
With a reservation, the price remains $25. Without a reservation, the price goes up to $30 per person at the door.

Our next dinner meeting will feature a special presentation by Rear Admiral Scott A. Weikert, Deputy Commander, FIRST Naval Construction Division, Norfolk, VA. He will be speaking about the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), established in January 2006, which centrally manages the current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of approximately 40,000 expeditionary Sailors who are currently serving in every theater of operation.

NECC is a global force provider of adaptive force package of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders. Expeditionary Sailors are deployed around the globe in support of the new “Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower,” a joint maritime strategy signed by the Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps and Commandant of the Coast Guard that applies maritime power to the curial responsibility of protecting U.S. in an increasingly interconnected and multi-polar world.
A native of York, Pennsylvania, RDML Weikert enlisted in the
Navy in August 1974. After completion of nuclear power training, he was awarded an NROTC scholarship to Drexel University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Civil Engineer Corps in 1981.

Affiliating with the Navy Reserve in 1987, RDML Weikert
served in numerous key billets including operations officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) TWENTY-ONE, Lakehurst, NJ, the SEVENTH Naval Construction Regiment, Newport, RI and the SECOND Naval Construction Brigade, Norfolk, VA.

RDML Weikert commanded the SEVENTH Naval Construction Regiment, Newport, RI from 2003 to 2005, mobilizing in July 2004. He served as the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the FIRST Marine Expeditionary Force Engineer Group, Camp Fallujah, Iraq, providing general engineering and construction services in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September 2005 RDML Weikert assumed command of Naval Engineer Forces Korea supporting the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea. From June 2008 through October 2008, he served as the Deputy Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command until reporting to his current position as Deputy Commander, FIRST Naval Construction Division, Norfolk, VA.

US Naval Sea Cadet Corps Attracting New Recruits

LTjg D. C. Newman, CO (Acting), NSCC, Chattanooga Division files the following report.

The US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Chattanooga Division drill got underway on Saturday, March 7 at 0800 and secured on Sunday, March 8 at 1630.

The Cadets, under the instruction of Warrant Officer Hogan and Instructor Kehoe, received Compass Navigation training in the River Park. There, they learned the fundamentals of land navigation utilizing a compass and visual references

The cadets were presented with a unit guidon flag and were extremely proud to carry it during formation. Having this flag recharged their sense of pride and unit integrity. The guidon and staff were donated to the unit from Instructor Stacy Kehoe and Warrant Officer George Hogan.

In the month of January and February, the following cadets and instructors were advanced:

Sea Cadets
Nick Madaris, PO3
Seth Patton , PO3
Tim Newman. PO3

Navy League Cadets
Ariel Kehoe, PO3

Officers
Tom Reynolds, Ensign
Ken Madaris, Ensign
Jonathan Salkeld, Midshipman

During the drill, PO3 Nick Madaris assumed the duties as Division Leading Petty Officer from PO3 Birdwell. PO3 Birdwell reassumed the duties as Division Master at Arms. PO3 Seth Patton has assumed the duties as Division Adjutant Operations Officer where he will work directly for the Unit Operations Officer.

New Recruits
SR Blake Hedrick, Cleveland, Tennessee
LC1 Xander Kehoe, Chattanooga, Tennessee
LC1 Myles Moulton, Cleveland, Tennessee
WELCOME ABOARD!!

During quarters on Sunday, March 8, LC3 Charles Wright "Cross Decked" from the NLCC to the NSCC and received the Sea Cadet Oath. PO3 Nick Madaris and PO3 Ariel Kehoe were both awarded the Academic Achievement Ribbon, Bronze Star in Lieu of Second Award. .

The cadets performed a retirement ceremony Color Guard for the Navy Operational Support Center, Chattanooga and as usual, performed it flawlessly. Many of the military and civilian visitors who attended the event commented highly about their precision and military bearing. The members of the Color Guard unit were: PO3 Nick Madaris, SA Cody Hufstetler, SN Zach Sheckley and PO3 Seth Patton.

A unit detachment attended SWAT training in conjunction with the Chattanooga Police Department on March 16th and 19th. There, they received classroom and practical training with Chattanooga Police Department's SWAT team. CPD Officer Lee Wilson was our sponsor and instructor. There, the cadets were allowed to observe range qualifications, SWAT team operations, and basic police operations.

Summer Training sign ups are in full swing as posted on the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps "Compass" website. Many of our Cadets have expressed their interest in attending one or more of the trainings. We wish them "Fair Seas" during their training.

Other Notes:

BRAVO ZULU to all in Chattanooga Division for their grade of 3.156 during the Regional Directors Annual NSCC Inspection conducted in February.

Special thanks to SN Zach Sheckley, LC3 Ariel Kehoe, and Instructor Stacy Kehoe for conducting a daylong “Sea Cadet” recruiting event with the Ooltewah High School in February. Their recruiting efforts yielded five potential Sea Cadet candidates who are genuinely interested in enrolling in the program. Their actions during this recruiting event reflects great credit upon themselves and the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps

The next US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Chattanooga Division drill is scheduled for April 4 - 5 at the Navy Operational Support Center, Chattanooga.

From the Bridge - President's Message from Bill Leonard

Ahoy, fellow members and friends!

First I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of one of the oldest and finest civilian patriotic organizations STILL in existence today. For over 100 years the Navy League of the United States has actively supported our sea services as encouraged by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. The Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and US flagged Merchant Marine all serve our nation with pride and distinction. We truly are a maritime nation, and as such, depend heavily on these important components not only for defense but efficient commerce as well. We can never take for granted the contributions our sea services provide to and for us. Your vigilance in matters nautical are necessary if we are to survive and prosper in a changing and complex world.

Secondly I want to continue our fine work in the membership area. The strength of any organization is its membership. Part of our challenge is to bring in new members - and retain current ones. I know we face an initial misconception about who and what we are simple by the name...Navy League. Many believe this is purely a Navy organization or a veterans association. We know both are not true. Please explain to friends and prospective new members who we are. Better still, invite them to our quarterly dinner meeting to see for themselves. Any of the board members will be glad to assist you in meeting with prospects. Just let us know how we can help you.

As members, I hope you will consider your activity with our chapter. We need members to volunteer for committee and Board assignments. I have noticed several faithful members who regularly attend our dinners who would make excellent committee or board members. Is it your time? Please let me know that you are willing to "stand a watch" for us.

Our youth programs are on a sound footing thanks to stronger communications between your Board and the 2 units we sponsor. The NJROTC unit at Howard High and the Sea Cadet unit of Chattanooga have good, dedicated leaders working hard to give these young people a positive experience that may lead to future service in one of the sea services we support. Certainly the precepts of citizenship, honor, patriotism, and love of country are shared here. You may want to work in this area. What a nice gift you could give these youth. I have found in my years as a boy scoutmaster that I have received far more in quality of life returns by working with youth and adults in this arena than I could ever contribute to them. Perhaps you will, too. Don't be shy to explore this opportunity.

Legislative affairs will always be a major thrust of our efforts. It is, after all, the reason the NLUS was formed in the first place. If we do not exercise our citizenship obligations to speak up for what we believe in then we can never hope to strengthen the influence our sea services need for the good health of our nation. You may have a background or interest in this area which would be very beneficial to all of us. Can you help here?

Lastly, I think you will agree we have had excellent and distinguished speakers for our dinner meetings. A lot of work goes on to schedule these individuals. I have met many top quality people whom I would never have had the chance to meet before. Share this experience with your friends and our membership goals will take care of themselves. Our program committee needs your ideas and service. Will you help here?

My theme is a recurring one. Involve yourself in a quality organization and you will receive the satisfaction of making a positive difference and time well spent in your life I believe the Greater Chattanooga Area/John J. Spittler Chapter of the NLUS is such an organization. Welcome aboard.

Now set the special sea and anchor detail..... We are getting underway for an exciting 2009 deployment.

Respectfully,

Bill Leonard
President

NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY PROCLAMATION

Courtesy of NLUS member Patty Parks

In a small ceremony, Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey proclaimed Wednesday, March 25, 2009 as Medal of Honor Day. The action localizes a Congressional move in 2007 which designated March 25th of each year as National Medal of Honor Day, a day dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients.

March 25th was chosen to highlight this observance as it was on that date in 1863 the very first Medals of Honor - the nation’s highest military award for bravery and valor - were presented.

During our nation’s past, some 40,000,000 men and women have served in the armed forces, but only 3,448 of those have received the Medal of Honor. The medal is awarded for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty which includes risk of life while engaged in action against a U.S. enemy. Such is the nature of the Medal’s criteria that since 1900 70% of the Medals of Honor awarded have been posthumous. Of living recipients only 98 are alive today: 24 from World War II; 14 from Korea & 60 from Vietnam.

Americans are encouraged to commemorate Medal of Honor recipients through actions such as these:

- Fly the American flag
- Send a “Thank You” card to a living recipient
- Notify local media and or private publications
- Offer to do a special program at local schools or civic organization.

Above all, remember America’s military heroes and spread the word about the sacrifices they made for our freedom.
Point of Contact: Patty Parks
Volunteer Director
National Medal of Honor Museum
Home: 423-326-0839
email: pattyjoparks@yahoo.com

Chattanooga Submarine Veterans Base

The United States Submarine Veterans in Chattanooga are forming a submariner chapter (base). Organizational meeting is scheduled for Monday April 6 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at VFW Post 4848, 1491 Riverside Drive, Chattanooga, Tenn., 37406. For questions, call or write Alan 843-1590 or asyler@comcast.net

Kaylee Radzyminski named by "Washington Post" as a Leader under 30

A Washington Post story has listed Kaylee Marie Radzyminski as one of their 5 leaders under 30 for her work with Tunes 4 the Troops. She is listed with such notables as the CEO of FaceBook and President Obama's speech writer.

Kaylee’s mother Stephanie E Radzyminski writes us that “Kaylee accepted an ROTC full scholarship to Tennessee Tech to major in engineering and communications and then to go into intelligence as her field in the Army.

Kaylee Marie has spent the last four years giving up every spare moment on Tunes 4 the Troops, (over 4500 hours!) and she wanted to have a bit more freedom that the USNA would give her. She is very excited and at peace with the decision, so I am happy for her.”

We are very happy for her, too! Congratulations, Kaylee, on a job well done and we thank you and your entire team for every hour of service rendered. We wish you all the best in your college years.

http://www.tunes4thetroops.org/

Check out the website for details on the annual fundraiser Friday, May 1st, 2009!

Your Local Congressmen

Here are the addresses for your local congressmen. Challenge yourself to write a letter and let them know how important our sea services are in the future of this country.


Senator Bob Corker
10 West MLK Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37402

Senator Lamar Alexander
3322 West End Ave., Ste. 120
Nashville, TN 37303

Representative Zach Wamp
900 Georgia Ave., Ste 126
Chattanooga, TN 37402

Representative Lincoln Davis
629 North Main St.
Jamestown, TN 38556