Monthly Archives: July 2021

Now Hear This – July 2021

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TAMPA BAY – A DISTINGUISHED CHAPTER 2020

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – LOTS OF NEWS THIS MONTH

  1. NO CHAPTER MEETING ON 7 JULY

To take a short summer break, and since the first Wednesday in July closely follows the 4th of July holiday, we will not hold a monthly meeting in July.  HOWEVER –

 

  1. LET’S HAVE A PICNIC FOR US

Instead of that meeting, we will hold a family “Pin the Tail on the Mule” picnic on 18 July.  We want this one to be “just for us” – no big supply effort, no massive communications work.  We have reserved Shelter #605 at Picnic Island Park in south Tampa.  Beach, games, and food by Mission BBQ!  The email notice is out.  Kids 12 and under are free.  Register here  by Sunday 11 July –

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BRQJY8QYPYDS2

  1. RDML BUCHANAN HEADED TO TAMPA

RDML “T.R.” Buchanan ‘92, the immediate past USNA Commandant, is coming to Tampa and CENTCOM.  We have already reached out and are in touch.  Welcome aboard, Admiral!!

Colonel James “J.P.” McDonough III, USMC, ’94 has been selected to become the 89th Commandant of Midshipmen.  I believe he officially started his job on 1 July.  He is at least the third Marine to hold that position.

If you’re curious about Rear Admiral (lower half) and what happened to “Commodore” – RDML (as opposed to upper half/two star RADM) is equivalent to the rank of brigadier general in the other uniformed services, and equivalent to the rank of Commodore in most other navies.  In the United States uniformed services, Rear Admiral (lower half) replaced the rank of Commodore in 1983.  One reason, as I understand it – to the community, when they reached O-7, they wanted to be called Admiral, dammit!  I hear ya’ –

  1. SEEING STARS PART II – WELCOME VADM MALLOY!

VADM James J. Malloy ’86 has reported aboard as Deputy Commander US Central Command.  He had read our SHIPMATE column and asked Marty Drake ’78 how to get active.  Glad to have you, Admiral –

  1. LOSS OF A MIDSHIPMAN (from USNA.com)

Midshipman Michael Myles James, 22, of Hiram, Georgia, was found unresponsive the morning of June 23 while on leave from the Naval Academy. The cause of death is being investigated; foul play is not suspected.  Obviously, MIDN Myles was a rising firstie.  Very sad.

 

  1. LOSS OF A MOTHER (from Fox News)

More sad news – A mother who was in Annapolis to see her son off to USNA, died after she was hit by a stray bullet early Tuesday 6/29.  Michelle Jordan Cummings, 57, from Houston, was with her husband and another couple outside The Graduate Hotel at about 12:20 a.m   They had just said good-night and she stood to return to their room.  According to reports, an argument a block away led to gunfire, and a bullet carried through bushes and hit Ms. Cummings, killing her.  Her son, Leonard Cummings III, is a NAPS graduate entering the academy.  He decided to continue through I-Day and continue his USNA journey.  Blessings to him and his family –

  1. THE BOARD MET on 14 June to address several important items and plan events for the rest of this year. A couple of highlights –
    1. Events and dates confirmed – (mark your calendar!)
      1. Family Picnic – 18 July
      2. Football watch parties – 4 Sept, 11 Sept (and more)
  • Founders Day Dinner – 13 October/Feather Sound CC
  1. Tampa Bay Wine Society (Social) – 13 November
  2. Army-Navy Football – 11 December
  1. SIG Chapter Liaisons
    1. The Alumni Association has asked chapters to name liaisons to these Special Interest Groups (SIG). We had volunteers –
      1. Run to Honor – Steve Swift ‘87
      2. Women – Jane Lochner ‘84
      3. NAMA (Naval Academy Minority Assn.) – TBD
    2. The Chapter and Board strongly support efforts to strengthen these communities of our shipmates. If you would like to play an active role, please contact me.  Chris
  2. 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Tampa Bay Chapter! (Hint:  The founder is still active with us!).  Watch for future news about how we plan to celebrate our Golden Anniversary –
  3. New LinkedIn Page – The Board agreed to establish (sanction) a new Chapter LinkedIn page. Its primary purpose will be to connect Alumni people and businesses in the Tampa Bay area.  We’re still ironing things out, but it is up and running.  Thanks to Dave Spoerl ’82, Mark Arnold ’80, and Steve Swift ‘87 for taking ownership of the site to keep it current and meaningful.  The link will be included in future communications. Here it is – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3912975/

 

  1. HAIL AND FAREWELL

 Bruce Bachman ’73 of Winter Haven passed away.  Bruce was not an active member of the chapter, but we respectfully note his passing, and we contacted his family.  Here’s a link to his obituary –

http://1973.usnaclasses.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2021/03/Bruce-Bachman-Obituary.pdf

  New face at the June meeting:

  • John Miles ’93 (St. Pete)

 Kevin Sinnett ’79 and wife Doreen wrote in to make contact.  They have recently moved to Dunedin.  Kevin said that he has been following our Facebook page.

 I also met this month John Delcamp ’85.  He, wife Debra, and family have landed in St. Pete Beach.  John is with Southwest Airlines.

 Welcome aboard, all!

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR

  • 18 July – Family picnic – Picnic Island Park, Tampa (Reservations required)
  • 4 August – Chapter meeting– Tate’s Pizza at 1800
  • 4 September – First football watch party (Marshall at Navy)
  • 11 September Football watch party (Air Force at Navy)
  • 13 November – Tampa Bay Wine Society (social/potluck)
  • 11 December – Army-Navy football (Navy hosting)

KEY INFORMATION LINKS:

Chapter website – http://tampabay.usnachapters.net/

Chapter Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/USNA-Alumni-TampaSt-Petersburg-120095454740213/

Chapter LinkedIn page – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3912975/

Next chapter meeting – 4 August at Tate’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, West Shore Blvd., Tampa, at 1800.  We hope to see you there. 

One more note – as you read above, we gained new members and activity because of our “distinguished” communications efforts on Facebook, email, our website, and now LinkedIn.  That doesn’t just happen – it is the result of hours of work each month by our talented and dedicated volunteers.  We should all appreciate the efforts of Steve Swift ’87 (Chapter Comms Director/email), Dave Spoerl ‘82 (Chapter Board Member/Facebook), Angela Orlando ’85 (Website), and Leon Jablow ’91 (Chapter Secretary/SHIPMATE).  Let them know when you get a chance.  They’re terrific!

Now – scroll back up and register for the picnic!

Carry on,

Chris Heath ‘72

Chapter President