Port of Pittsburgh Official Publication of the Navy League of the United States, Pittsburgh Council July, August, Sept. 2015 Volume 19. No. 3 Edited by Katherine Kersten Website: navyleaguepittsburgh.org Letter from the President Greetings fellow citizens in support of our sea services! In a few short weeks we’ll be whisked into the brisk air and warm colors of fall. Our summer certainly flew by. Several celebrations are upon us providing a tremendous opportunity to show Patriotism & Gratitude. I hope many of you can attend the Navy Birthday Ball on October 2nd. We will not only celebrate the The Navy League of the United States Navy's 240th Birthday but also the 100th Serving the Sea Services since 1902 anniversary of the Navy Reserve. Many of our members have served or currently serve in the Navy Reserve and this event is an opportunity to celebrate their service as RADM Gregory Visits the Area well as to hear important words from our guest speaker VADM Robin Braun, On August 17, the Navy League, Chief of Navy Reserve. Pittsburgh Council, was privileged to enjoy Veterans Day is right around the corner as a dinner with RADM Kathleen Gregory, well and I ask that you take a moment to Chief of Civil Engineers and Commander, thank a veteran on this important day. Naval Facilities Engineering Command. A very special Outreach picnic serving Fifteen members joined her for dinner at our hospitalized veterans was supported by Andora's Restaurant at the Old Stage Coach our Naval Sea Cadets Unit, Pittsburgh Inn, Fox Chapel. Battalion and members of the Shady We all enjoyed hearing of an update on Side Academy Alumni Council. Polly the Navy especially of the efforts related to Bozdech-Veater, Katherine Kersten, energy conservation. As part of the Navy Karl Ludwig, and Brad Harrison Community Outreach Program, she also provided and served the meal. Thank you visited with NROTC students, the GE Power all! The service and engagement for Conversion plant in RIDC Park, Mayor these veterans, midshipmen, and sea cadets Peduto’s Office and a STEM activity makes us proud. sponsored by Bettis Laboratories. Her visit Hope to see you at the Navy Ball! concluded on August 19. In support of our sea services, Brad Harrison Port of Pittsburgh Patriotism and Gratitude July, August, Sept.2015 2. Calendar of Events-2015 Guard Day, and Pittsburgh’s two local units Jan. Election of Officers for 2015 were no exception. While the meaning of Feb. 7 CMU NROTC Midshipmen Ball the day still holds a special place in the Feb. 28 Annual Council Awards Dinner, heart of every Coast Guard member, the Pittsburgh Athletic Assn. celebration often takes a more light-hearted April 1 MSU Ribbon Cutting-Bridgeville approach. May 2 Kentucky Derby Party-benefit for This year’s Coast Guard Day, consistent USS Pittsburgh Scholarship Fund May 25 Memorial Day Celebration and with the past several years, was one in Parade, Elizabeth, PA which members as well as their families June 12 Golf Tournament-USS Pittsburgh participated. Pittsburgh’s event included Children’s Christmas Party numerous games and activities as well as a Benefit giant water slide for the many children in June 17 CNO visit and luncheon-PAA attendance. Sept. VA Picnic/Cookout, Aspinwall The event was a great success this year. Sept. 7-12 Submarine Veterans, National While Coast Guard personnel and family Convention, Westin Hotel, Pgh. members enjoyed the festivities Sept. 26 Golf Tournament for Navy Ball surrounding the event, MSU Pittsburgh and Oct. 2 Navy Birthday Ball, Sheraton USCGC OSAGE were both able to take time Hotel, Station Square Oct. 3 Change of Command, NOSC out of their busy schedules to enjoy each Nov. 7 Veteran’s Day Parade and Steel other’s company. Being able to generate City Salute to Troops camaraderie between local units is a great Nov. 10 Marine Corps. Birthday part of what makes the Coast Guard a great Nov. 23 30th Anniversary-USS Pittsburgh and cohesive organization, and this was an Commissioning effective way to build and maintain that connection on a personal level. Coast Guard MSU Pittsburgh Celebrates Much appreciation goes to Marine Science 225th Anniversary of Service Technician Chief Jason Spence for his Submitted by LT Devin P. Adams tireless efforts in planning one of the most successful Coast Guard Day celebrations for On August 4, 2015, Marine Safety Unit the region in recent memory. (MSU) Pittsburgh and USCGC OSAGE personnel converged on North Strabane Change of Command for NOSC, Park in Southwestern PA and conducted Pittsburgh their annual celebration of the United States Coast Guard’s anniversary. th The Navy Operational Support Center This year marked the 225 anniversary of Pittsburgh will sponsor the Change of service for the branch, which finds its roots Command Ceremony at which Lieutenant in the Revenue Cutter Service, an Commander Craig S. Frangente, United States organization established in 1790 by Navy, will be relieved by Commander Donald G. Alexander Hamilton for the purposes of Haley, United States Navy on Saturday, the 3 protecting American revenue and enforcing October, 2015, 1400. The Ceremony will be maritime laws. Since then, the organization held at the Navy Operational Support Center has evolved several times, taken on a variety Pittsburgh 2475 Defense Ave., Coraopolis, PA of vital roles, and transitioned departments 15108. to take the shape it is today in the form of the Department of Homeland Security’s We wish CDR Frangente and his family the United States Coast Guard. very best in their new duty station in Millington TN. A warm Pittsburgh welcome is extended to Units throughout the country and beyond CDR Haley and his family. take time out of their busy schedules to recognize the heroic acts and sacrifices of Coast Guard men and women on Coast Honor, Knowledge, Service, Awareness, & Engagement Port of Pittsburgh Patriotism and Gratitude July, August, Sept.2015 3. Change of Command for Pittsburgh’s Coast Guard Unit Submitted by LT Devin Adams On Monday, July 20, 2015, Commander Lindsay Weaver-Marcenelle successfully completed her three-year tour as Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh and transferred command to Commander Leon McClain Jr. The ceremonial Change of Command occurred at the Heinz History Center on Monday July 20 and served to formally CDR. Leon McClain Jr. recognize Commander Weaver-Marcenelle for her accomplishments as Captain of the Port Present at the ceremony were all current Pittsburgh, as well as to welcome Commander and many previous members of Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh, professional partners from McClain as the new Commanding Officer. other governing agencies in Pittsburgh, as Commander Weaver-Marcenelle also well as industry stakeholders from the celebrated her retirement after 25 years of Pittsburgh region’s maritime community. dedicated service to the U.S. Coast Guard. Memorial Ceremony on USS Requin On Friday September 11th NRD Pittsburgh Sailors joined the United States Submariner Veterans Incorporated (USSVI) for their 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on the USS Requin outside of the Carnegie Science Center Museum. The USSVI is in Pittsburgh for their national convention from September 7th to the 12th. Retired Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara and CDR Weaver- Marcenelle with her Retirement Certificate. Picnic Held at the VA Hospital in “It was my pleasure to serve our wonderful Aspinwall community here in the headwaters of the On September 12th the Navy League Ohio River. Cooperation is the cornerstone of Pittsburgh Council in conjunction with the our success and vital to our missions of Pittsburgh Battalion of the Naval Sea Cadet safety, security and stewardship. I am proud Corps and the Shady Side Academy Alumni to have served in this region, and upon Council and Shady Side students hosted over 40 retirement to call this place my home.” veterans at the VA Hospital in Aspinwall for a Commander McClain makes his way to picnic. Pittsburgh bringing with him an extensive The Sea Cadets graciously took orders from background in Marine Safety. He reports to the veterans in attendance while Navy League Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh from the Coast members Katherine Kersten and Polly Guard Personnel Service Center’s Officer Bozdech-Veater prepared the delicious food Personnel Management Division in Arlington, and Shady Side students loaded and reloaded Virginia where he served as a Marine Safety plates. Assignment Officer in Washington D.C. Prior to this assignment, Commander McClain Except for the welcoming comments and served as the Executive Officer of Marine blessing by Brad Harrison, the juke box was Safety Unit Lake Charles from 2010-2013. playing and the veterans were sharing their Honor, Knowledge, Service, Awareness, & Engagement Port of Pittsburgh Patriotism and Gratitude July, August, Sept.2015 4. important stories with the volunteers and After the typhoon had passed, Pittsburgh attendees. Special thanks to Navy League made her way to Guam, arriving on 10 June. member Karl Ludwig for slicing the The shortened cruiser was fitted there with a watermelon. Major Amber White from Military temporary "stub" bow, similar to those used on Processing Entrance Station (MEPS) and her the torpedoed cruisers Minneapolis and New husband, Kevin, also attended and served our Orleans during the Guadalcanal Campaign. This veterans. Thank you to everyone for work, made possible by the extensive repair participating in such a wonderful event.. facilities the Navy maintained near the combat zone, was completed in about two weeks. Pittsburgh was then able to steam safely across the Pacific to the West Coast, where a new bow was made and attached. Meanwhile Pittsburgh's original bow was still afloat. Between 6 and 11 June the fleet tug Munsee (ATF-107), assisted late in the operation by her sister ship Patana (ATF-108), slowly towed the more than 100-foot long structure to Guam, where salvage work was undertaken.