Stacy Kehoe and Mickey McCamish
Stacy Kehoe and Mickey McCamish
Shane Pilchard, left, and Ed Shropshire, right, with Billy Hewitt in front
Keith Hardinson, Medal of Honor Heritage Center
Willard Rice, Jr. receiving the "Sandy McMillan" Award
The Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council held its first quarterly dinner meeting of the 2019 year at the Walden Club on Thursday. Acting on his last duty as president, Mickey McCamish, pinned the Council President Pin on the newly-elected President, Stacy Kehoe.
President Kehoe said, “I have big shoes to fill and I want to express my many thanks for Mickey’s years of leadership to not only our council but in other organizations that he leads.”
Chaplain McLeod opened the meeting with an invocation and President Kehoe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Following dinner, President Kehoe presented the “Sandy McMillan” award to Willard Rice, Jr. the Compass Points Editor. The Board voted for Mr. Rice during his absence at the December board meeting. Mr. Rice was recognized for his outstanding dedication and work on the council’s newsletter and always bringing top quality articles and events to members and other interested organizations about the Naval Sea Services.
This award is named after past council member, Commander George “Sandy McMillan,” who dedicated his life to the Navy, community, and to his church and home life. CDR McMillan passed away on April 6, 2016. The first recipient was Mary Dall. She started the layout of the Compass Points newsletter in 2002, and eventually, assisted in other veteran-related newsletters. The next recipients were Mark and Patty Parks, who have dedicated their lives to the Navy and to the community.
After an unanimous vote from the council members who were present, Billy Hewitt, nominating chairman, came forward and swore in two new board members, Edward Shropshire as the new vice president and Shane Pilchard as the new website and social media director.
President Kehoe then introduced the guest speaker, Keith Hardinson, executive director of the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Mr. Hardinson presented the next phase and some pictures depicting areas within the center. He included statics of Medal of Honor recipients and the majority of them being from this area, and how this center will affect the tourism in the Chattanooga-area.
Ron Galante formally announced to the members about the upcoming submarine visit May 31-June 1.
Chaplain McLeod adjourned the meeting with the benediction.
The next dinner quarterly meeting will be held on April 23 at the Walden Club with the Military Officers Association of America. At this meeting it will honor and award youth from all over the county.