Volume 73 Number 5May 2020

AMI InternationalBradley W Orser CPABremerton Historic Ships AssociationColumbia HospitalityCorinthian Wealth PartnersEvergreen MayflowerKitsap BankKitsap Golf and Country ClubKitsap SunMcClouds Grill HouseNavy Museums NorthwestOur Place Pub & EateryRaytheon IDSSuquamish Clearwater CasinoVeterans United Home Loans

Let these organizations know you are aware of and appreciate their support to Navy League.

Community Affiliates

Luncheon Status

I trust you have all guessed that luncheon meetings are off until further notice. Cancellations are announced on our WebSite and Facebook Page. We will begin rescheduling speakers in the coming weeks, once we have a clear indication that the stay at home orders are lifted.

We will attempt to rebook the speakers we had planned. For example, we've been long looking forward to hearing from Captain Dianna Wolfson, Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. We will try to reschedule her as soon as possible.

We have a number of other other great speakers lined up. We will get the luncheons back on track as soon as possible.

In the mean time, stay safe and remember our military and civilian men and women on watch around the world.

Help Our CouncilState workers can donate to our Navy League Council via the State Combined Fund Drive, using CFD # 1137270Our Council also participates in Amazon Smile Program.Logon to Smile.Amazon.Com and choose Navy League of The United States Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to our Council.

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Stephen Grether

New Member

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President's Corner - David Ellingson

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Well, here we are, a brave new world unfolding in front of our eyes. Life may never be the same and the year 2020 will leave a memory in our lives for generations to come. As you are well aware, we are in the midst of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 which has already claimed more than 500 deaths in Washington state. This health crisis is a unique challenge that affects every member of our Navy League community to some degree. We stand with our Navy League members, active duty members of our armed forces in our area, and families who are affected by this crisis.

In response to this health crisis, our state government has instituted restrictions on travel, gatherings, and in-person meetings in an effort to limit and slow the spread of the virus and “flatten the curve.” We support these efforts; the health and safety of our community is our first priority.

To this end, we are responding actively to the unique challenge of this moment in a variety of ways that are developing in real time. Just a few examples:

1. All of our in-person meetings and tours in April and May were canceled and rescheduled accordingly.

2. To the extent possible, we are conducting virtual meetings via Zoom.3. We are reaching out to our Adopted Units and Community Affiliates and

offering help/support to them.offering help/support to them.4. The Bremerton Chamber of Commerce has indefinitely postponed the

Armed Forces Week events in May. Since the Navy League gala is linked to these events, we have postponed the gala and are evaluating alternatives.

5. The Navy League provided judges to the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair that for the first time was held as a “virtual” science fair.

6. Plans are being developed as we emerge from this crisis. Our Navy League Board is monitoring developments locally that affect us, and we will plan accordingly.

Our May board meeting is still scheduled but the luncheon is cancelled. The May luncheon speaker was to be Captain Dianna Wolfson, Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. We will be working to rescchedule. We are proud of the work all of our Navy League members have been doing in response to the uniquely challenging circumstances we now face. We extend heartfelt thanks to every member of this Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard community for your understanding, flexibility and strength in these challenging days. We are confident that, when we address it together, no challenge will be too great for us to overcome.Please stay well and stay safe. I hope to see you soon.

With my very best wishes,

David Ellingson, President

BT

USS Washington SSN787 Commanding OfficerUSS Washington is one of our Adopted Units. The USS Washington recently had a change of command at which CDR Eric L Astle assumed Command. This is an introduction to the new CO.

CDR ERIC L. ASTLE Commander Eric Astle, born in Richmond, VA, graduated from the University of Delaware in 1998 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Chemistry and commissioned through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL in November 2001. He took command of USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787) in March 2020. CDR Astle completed his division officer submarine tour aboard the USS CHEYENNE (SSN 773) in Pearl Harbor, HI, serving as the Reactor Controls Assistant, Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant, Communicator, Assistant Operations Officer, and Navigator completing

operations in the 3rd and 7th Fleet AORs. Following his division officer tour, he reported to the Operations Directorate of U.S. Northern Command in June 2006, where he served as an NC2 Emergency Actions Crew Commander, Battlestaff Coordinator, and Strike Advisor, running the Standards and Evaluations Department and NORTHCOM Mobile Consolidated Command Center for Special Activities Branch.

In June 2009, CDR Astle relieved as Combat Systems Officer aboard USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772) completing an interfleet transfer from Groton, CT to Pearl Harbor, HI. He followed that tour with an assignment as the Assistant Nuclear Officer Program Manager for Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education) (OPNAV N133). In 2015, he reported as the Executive Officer, USS HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN 730)(BLUE) homeported in Bangor, WA, completing three strategic deterrent patrols. Most recently, CDR Astle served as the Deputy Director for Strategic Forces, Nuclear Weapons, and Force Protection for Commander Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Assistant Chief of Staff, Commander Task Force ONE THREE FOUR, U.S. Strategic Command Special Activities, Pacific.

CDR Astle completed his Masters of Business Administration in Finance and International Business from the University of Colorado. He married Rebecca Powell of Columbia, MD in 2014 and has one daughter, Elena, born in 2016. His unit and personal awards include two Battle “E” awards, a Meritorious Unit Citation, a Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

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As you can imagine, like many other activities these days, our council's engagement with our adopted sea service units has pretty much ground to a halt. But their important, essential missions in support of our nation continue on—often unheralded while the media focuses on the medical aspects of the crisis.

But you can help them feel valued for their sacrifices by a simple "Thank You" at a time when any sign of appreciation counts heavily. Please consider sending a thank you note or card to any or all of our adopted active duty units and let them know their contribution is not going unnoticed. To go the extra mile, feel free to add some small goodies for the crew...store-bought pre-packaged, of course. Their addresses are:

Reach out to our Adopted Units

USS WASHINGTON (SSN 787) USS HENRY M JACKSON (SSBN 730)Unit 100351 Box 1 Unit 100117 Box 1FPO AE 09583 FPO AP 96698

USCGC ACTIVE (WMEC 618) USCG Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles1 Ediz Hook Road Ediz Hook RoadPort Angeles, WA 98362 Port Angeles, WA 98362

USS BREMERTON (SSN 698) Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, BangorUnit 100107 Box 1 2102 Drum CourtFPO AP 96661 Silverdale, WA 98315

Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor USCGC Sea Devil (WPB 87368)T-035 Harder Road T-035 Harder RoadSilverdale, WA 98315 Naval Base Kitsap

Silverdale WA 98315USCGC Sea Fox (WPB 87384)T-035 Harder Road Strategic Weapons Facility PacificNaval Base Kitsap 6401 Skipjack CircleSilverdale, WA 98315 Silverdale WA 98315-6499

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Washington State Science & Engineering Fair

Members of our Council provided administrative and project judging support for the all-virtual 2020 Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF) on March 27, 2020. As part of the Council's initiatives in supporting youth interest in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), 10 Council volunteers worked from their home computers to help keep dreams alive for more than 250 future scientists and engineers in Grades 9-12 from across the state. The WSSEF is conducted annually at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, WA. Each year, the number of participants, from Grades 1-12 had been growing exponentially with approximately 1,000 students, over 250 teachers, and about 200 judges planned to converge on Bremerton in 2020. As part of the fair, the Bremerton/Olympic Peninsula Council had been presenting cash awards to those students whose projects best contributed to the advancement of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in support of our nation's Sea Services (Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine). However, as the social gathering limitations imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19 became more restrictive, the fair format was progressively curtailed until reaching its final form. Ultimately, the 2020 WSSEF was conducted 100% virtually with students presenting their projects from their homes using virtual meeting software, and judges evaluating projects from their homes--all administered by fair staff from their homes or offices. The student entrants were limited to Grades 9-12 primarily to select those winners from Washington State to go on to follow-on regional, national, and international competitions. As a result, all special awards, including those presented by the Council, Our Council originally had over 30 members signed-up to judge in person at the fair. Ultimately only 10 were able to participate as judges and/or as virtual session administrators. Judges listened to the student's presentations, reviewed the material provided in advance, asked questions of the students to probe their knowledge of the material and scientific principles, and scored the project using a rubric provided by the fair. Session administrators operated the virtual meeting software, controlled the entry and exit of students and judges, and communicated separately with the fair staff to coordinate the flow of project and scores.Council Board Member Tom Zwolfer, who served as both a session administrator and judge, was glad that coronavirus did not take this opportunity away from the students. "I enjoyed the day and was impressed by the students and the quality of the projects that they presented. Many faced challenges due to the schools and labs shutting down several weeks ago but persevered." Overall, in view of the COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 WSSEF staff successfully transitioned from a 100% in-person format to a 100% virtual format to identify top projects in Grades 9-12 to go on to subsequent competitions. A virtual awards ceremony was also held on-line in which the winners were named and recognized. According to Council Member Richard Dixson, "Someone said that I should be prepared to be humbled. Well, that was an understatement. I was very pleased at how much work went in to these projects. I'll do it again any time. The students were all very well prepared and seemed very comfortable with the virtual format. We judged 12 students overall and a couple of the presentations made us feel that like they were already oncologists. A tremendous amount of research went into those presentations."

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Bremerton - Olympic Peninsula Council Activities Calendar Including Tours

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We are still in the dark about when we might get back into tours. Our fantastic Tour Coordinator, Kristina Younger, has been working to keep tours on the books so we are ready when tours are again possible. She has tours booked well into 2021. Below is the list of what we we have scheduled. Keep an eye on our web page and Facebook for the latest.May 6 NL Board, - Via ZoomJune 3 NL Board, Kitsap Golf and Country Club 5PMJune 9 Bremerton Olympic Peninsula Council Luncheon NL Luncheon

Plaza Ballroom, Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor 11AMJune TBD USCG Active – Unit Adoption ceremony - Port Angeles July 1 NL Board, Kitsap Golf and Country Club 5PMJuly 10 - 10am – Mouth of Columbia River. USCG Station at Cape Disappointment,

Columbia River Maritime Museum, and Lewis / Clark Historic park – near Astoria, a 3.5 hour drive

July 14 Bremerton Olympic Peninsula Council Luncheon NL LuncheonPlaza Ballroom, Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor 11AM

August 5 NL Board, Kitsap Golf and Country Club 5PM

August 11 Bremerton Olympic Peninsula Council Luncheon NL LuncheonPlaza Ballroom, Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor 11AM

August 19 (Wednesday) – 10am – Historic Airplanes - EverettFlying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum

- Founded by Paul Allen, they are dedicated to the display and preservation of rare military aircraft, tanks and other military equipment - Tickets $18 adults / $14 military

Museum of Flight’s Restoration Center & Reserve Collection -The Museum of Flight's Restoration Center & Reserve Collection at Paine Field is where devoted volunteer spend hours renovating and restoring aircraft to exhibition quality.

August 5 NL Board, Kitsap Golf and Country Club 5PM

August 11 Bremerton Olympic Peninsula Council Luncheon NL LuncheonPlaza Ballroom, Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor 11AM

August TBD Washington State Ferry-Tentative From wheel house to engine room

October 20Trident training facility & tour of a nuclear ballistic missile-carrying submarine – Bangor ** NAVY LEAGUE MEMBERS ONLY**NOTE: maximum number of forty people and pre-screened, paperwork due

October 1st and Tour participates must be able to climb a 20 feet ladder

Limit: 35

Navy League Bremerton - Olympic Peninsula Information

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President -David EllingsonVice President - Robert (Bob) Battin2nd Vice President - Larry TellinghuseinTreasurer - Thomas ZwolferSecretary - Joe HulseyJAG - Patty LentPast President - Steve Westover

Alan Beam*Pamela HurstTim Katona*Ron KirklandGeorge RoseCarol Meteney*George Rose

Larry Salter*Mike SpenceKevin StaubKevin TorcoliniMark WestoverKristina Younger*Past Presidents

2020 Navy League Bremerton - Olympic Peninsula Council

Board of Directors

2020 Navy League Bremerton - Olympic Peninsula Council

Officers

Bremerton - Olympic Peninsula Council Adopted Units

USS Bremerton SSN-698USS Henry M Jackson SSBN-730USS Washington SSN-787US Coast Guard MFPU BangorUS Marine Corps MCSFB BangorUSCG Air Station/Sector Field Office Port AngelesSWFPAC BangorUSCGC Active - Newly adopted

Supported Youth Activities

South Kitsap High School NJROTCBremerton High School NJROTCPort Angeles High School NJROTCShelton High School NJROTCScorpion Battalion Navy Sea Cadets

The Bremerton Navy League is looking for volunteers to help continue our success connecting the Sea Services with the West Sound Community. Roles range from occasional activities such as event coordination, to newsletter editor to letter writer, to units and awards support, to ongoing roles. We are now seeking person to help with Adopted Unit Liaison Support. To learn more email us at bremertonnavyleague@gmail.org. Now is your opportunity to get involved - don't miss out on the fun!!

Volunteer Opportunities

New & Returning Members

Tracey BishopJaymi BlackKenneth BlackStephen BoatwrightJennifer BobrowskiDiane DixsonRichard DixsonDebbie DollMichael GorokinStephen GretherAmber HamiltonRex HankinsGeorge Holden

John HowryBill JohnsonGary JohnsonLeigh LewisMary MeisterMarc MitchellKaren MooreFred SeamanKerri SelbyRokki StaubMegan StilesMelissa TayDeborah Wilson

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