Ron Galante, Xander Kehoe, Lee Nagle, Jordan Schone, Alexander Piercy, Chad Waye, TR Joe
William Prince, TR Joe, Jack Spittler
TR Joe and Ron Galante
TR Joe, Back center, Carolyn Waye, Front Center, Sharon Wade, Front Right, Cadet Chad Waye, Back Right, Alden Perry
Gary Meyer, Sandy Gallagher, TR Joe, Becky Templeton, Harvey Templeton
Jack Spittler, TR Joe
Stacy Kehoe, TR Joe, Lyn Church
Patty Parks, TR Joe, Mark Parks
Leigh Althaus, TR Joe
Diana Mick, TR Joe, Larson Mick
Bob Todd, TR Joe, Katherine Todd
David and Martha Nagle, Jim Fields
Austin Seay, Dan Saieed
John Niemeyer, William Prince
Five local students were awarded the Navy League Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal this past Thursday by none other than President Theodore Roosevelt himself, sort of.
Joe Wiegand, nationally acclaimed for his rendition of Teddy Roosevelt, was on hand at the Navy League John J. Spittler Greater Chattanooga Council student awards dinner on Thursday, at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel in Chattanooga.
“TR Joe” as he is often called, presented each student with the military-style medal and certificate along with a firm handshake including President Roosevelt’s trademark exclamation, “Bully!”
The Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council which sponsors local Sea Cadet divisions awards the medal annually to youths who have shown exemplary performance.
This year’s recipients were Chattanooga Division Sea Cadet of the Year, Seaman Jordan Schone of East Ridge; Signal Mountain Division Sea Cadet of the Year, Petty Officer First Class Lee Nagle of Signal Mountain; Hurricane Division Sea Cadet of the Year, Chief Petty Officer Xander Kehoe of Chattanooga; Signal Mountain Division League Cadet of the Year, Apprentice Cadet Chad Waye of Signal Mountain, and Hurricane Division League Cadet of the Year, Seaman Recruit Alexander Piercy of Chattanooga.
TR Joe’s presentation earlier in the evening recounted stories of President Roosevelt’s youth, his introduction to politics and his interest in conservation and preservation through the establishment of national parks, forests, monuments and wildlife preserves.
Speaking as President Roosevelt, Mr.
Wiegand’s unique presentation style brought the adventurous tales to life with laughter and inspiration. Particularly motivating was the common thread he wove throughout the evening reminding his audience of President Roosevelt’s refusal to give up when faced with the difficulties and hardships life often brings.
Founded in 1902 with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy League of the United States is a civilian organization dedicated to the education of citizens about the importance of sea power. Through more than 56,000 members and some 265 local councils worldwide, the Navy League supports men and women serving in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.-Flag Merchant Marine and provides support to their families as well.
The Navy League encourages America's young people through its youth programs, including sponsorship of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the Navy League Scholarship Program and Navy JROTC units like the one at Howard High School in Chattanooga.
For more information about Navy League programs, call Patty Parks at
423 326-0839.