Coast Guard Ouachita Station crew members with David Smith and Stacy Kehoe
Despite the many obstacles and challenges that Covid-19 presented to our world, the United States Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council members adapted and overcame these obstacles during the onset of the 2020 pandemic.
In June of 2020, our Council held a lunch picnic at the Tennessee Riverpark and had CDR Remillard as our guest speaker. He was the former Commanding Officer of NOSC Chattanooga. During the luncheon, our Council honored and awarded BMCM McMahon, the former Officer in Charge of our local USCGC Ouachita a Quilt of Valor.
In July, our then-Council President, Stacy Kehoe, attended the Change of Command ceremony at the USCGC Ouachita
At the August 25th, Military Officers of America Association, Chattanooga Chapter, several members attended the Joint Dinner meeting where Congressman Fleischmann was the guest speaker.
We were updated on the legislative affairs our both our state and country.
The month of October provided multiple opportunities for our Council members to become more active. The Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council supports two youth programs in our area: The United States Naval Sea Cadet-Chattanooga Division, and the Howard High School’s NJROTC program. Some of our members are a part of these programs. In uncertain times, these new procedures provided new challenges. Our then-Council President, Stacy Kehoe, attended the Navy’s 245th birthday celebration at NOSC Chattanooga with a cake cutting ceremony. Later on, that week Council members attended a picnic luncheon at the TN Riverpark and welcomed back RADM Raymond Alexander. RADM Alexander spoke about his naval career and world travels.
Every year, the Chattanooga community honors and supports our Armed Forces and this year was no exception. However, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the 71st Annual Armed Forces Parade was postponed until October 23rd, and in its history, this parade was a “car or truck-riding parade only. The Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council is an Associate member of the Chattanooga Area Veteran’s Council (CAVC). Several members of our Navy League Council are on the Armed Forces Parade committee. On October 22nd, five of our members assisted in the organizing of the parade’s night time picnic at the Tennessee Riverpark. Dignitaries that have always supported the parade’s goals were in attendance as well as parade committee members. The following day on the 23rd, then-Council President Stacy Kehoe driven in a 2007 Mustang down the parade route. Other members were in other vehicles throughout the parade route as well on the street cheering on all participants.
The month of December provided our final moments before the end of the 2020 year. First, we held our annual meeting and holiday party at the Walden Club. This was our first indoor meeting since the outbreak of Covid back in March. Nine members and guests attended as well as several members attending by Zoom. The new slate of officers and directors were officially sworn in by our JAG Officer, James Fields. David Smith was named our new Council President. Tracy Coats was our entertainer for the evening providing holiday songs and other musical activities. Before the evening ended, Council members in attendance stuffed Christmas stockings for our local USCGC Ouachita station to be given at another time.
On December 8th, Council members Mickey McCamish and Stacy Kehoe attended the Military Officers Association of America, Chattanooga Chapter held at the Walden Club. There, they awarded and presented Capt Tallo a Quilt of Valor. CAPT Tallo is the Commanding Officer for the Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment here in Chattanooga. Following the end of the dinner meeting, Navy League Council members took a photo with Capt Tallo and 1st SGT Myers as they donated unwrapped toys to the Toys for Tots Marine Reserve organization.
On December 16th, Council President David Smith and Immediate Past President Stacy Kehoe visited the USCGC Ouachita Station to deliver holiday cheer with Christmas stockings for the crew and a few gifts for BMCS Kruithoff’s family.
The Wreaths Across Chattanooga ceremony, due to Covid-19 restrictions, was a small and intimate ceremony at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with our Council member, Mickey McCamish and co-chair, led the ceremony. After the ceremony, Mickey McCamish headed over to the Tennessee Riverpark and honored our Fallen Five at the Wreath of Honor. Our youth program, the United States Sea Cadet Corps, Chattanooga Division presented the colors. Our local Marines and Navy were heavily involved in both ceremonies.
The following week on December 22nd, Council President David Smith and Immediate Past President Stacy Kehoe delivered coffee bags, donated by StarBucks on East Brainerd and manager Seth VanHines, as well as coffee grinders from our Council, to both the Navy and Marines units located at NOSC Chattanooga and a few gifts for some of the family members.
The Senior Science Instructor, LCDR Dirk Ames, USCG (RET) and NL Council member donated 3 NJROTC t-shirts to Council members Mickey McCamish, David Smith, and Stacy Kehoe.
The NJROTC is one of two youth programs that we support. Right now, the NJROTC program is fundraising for their AMI preparations. Click on this link to purchase a t-shirt or to purchase a box of chocolates and help support Howard High School.
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The Greater Chattanooga Navy League Council is proud to sponsor and support our Maritime Services and truly honor their sacrifice and service to our country and community. The Navy League of the United States of America is a civilian organization that supports our Maritime services as well as our military youth programs. If you would like to join us and show your support, please visit our website and use the contact information included. http://chattanooganavyleague.org/contact.html
Mickey McCamish, David Smith and Stacy Kehoe at Howard School