On Tuesday, October 28, MNL and its supporting sponsors hosted the Naval Station Mayport 4th Quarter Sailor of the Quarter (SOQ) Award Program at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center on Tuesday, October 28th. Command Master Chief Strickland opened the program with the Presentation of the Colors, followed by the invocation, and then lunch.  The "Thanksgiving Holiday"-themed meal included: Roasted Turkey w/Dressing and the traditional side dishes with cookies for dessert. After the meal, Captain Trumbull spoke about the history of the Sailor of the Year program, and then introduced the keynote speaker, Command Master Chief Thomas Perkins.  CMDCM Perkins talked about the importance of the SOQ program and leadership development. The program was well-attended with 180 attendees to include Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, family members, and supporters.  The program concluded with a group photo.

On Saturday and Sunday, October 25 & 26, the skies, and waterways of the First Coast were transformed into the backdrop for the most exciting air acts and military demonstrations. This free event featured dynamic over-the-ocean sky shows. Due to the government shutdown, the highly acclaimed world-famous United States Navy Blue Angels did not fly. Each day the show included awe-inspiring aviation with an elite lineup of Veteran and civilian performers to the skies with amazing skill and precision. The show lineup included:

On October 16, 2025, the Jaguars Foundation Military and Veterans Program awarded a grant to the Navy League of the US Mayport Council for $5,000 in support of the food program for our military members and families. The Jaguars Foundation's grants to local nonprofits working with our military and Veteran community are made as part of our partnership with the City of Jacksonville's Veterans Resource and Reintegration Center at City Hall. The public announcement was at the Mayor's Season of Valor/Jaguars Salute to Service Grants press conference on Wednesday, October 29th.

On October 13, 2025, the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21), a Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), returned to Naval Station Mayport, concluding its maiden deployment to the U.S. Fourth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). The seven-month deployment showcased the versatility and capabilities of the LCS class within the U.S. Navy's surface fleet, while making an operational impact and achieved historic milestones. "I am proud of the excellent execution demonstrated by Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Underway for 130 of her 200 days deployed and maintaining an operational availability of more than 90 percent, Minneapolis-Saint Paul marked a decisive moment of self-sufficiency for the class, one we will continue to build upon," said Rear Admiral Joe Cahill, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic. USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul is primarily assigned to the Caribbean and during the deployment achieved many successful counter-narcotics interdictions.  The crew seized an historic amount of over 7,153 kgs (15,737 lbs.) of narcotics, worth a total of just under $195 million. USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a Littoral Combat Ship that is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments and capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

On October 4, 2025,the Mayport Sea Cadets supported the Honor Flight out of Jacksonville International Airport.  The cadets mustered at 0500 to prepare for the arrival of 23 Veterans that would travel to Washington DC for the day.  They helped with unloading the Veterans from the bus and moving them through the airport.  One of the highlights of the morning was being able to interact with the Veterans at the gate prior to their departure.  Many of the Veterans were happy to share stories and experiences from their military careers and were very interested in learning what our cadets wanted to do in the future.  Once the Veterans boarded their flight, our cadets received a behind the scenes tour of TSA operations.  It was a busy morning for everyone. Thursday evening, October 16, five of our cadets supported "A Night of Honor" event hosted by Platoon Wave on behalf of the Navy Seal Foundation.  They attended the dinner and helped the auction event by checking in guests, manning silent auction booths, live auction, and clean-up.  It was a great opportunity for a few of them to learn about and interact with Special Operations warriors. Our last drill of October was October 25 on base.  Cadets mustered at the unit house for morning colors, did their second PRT of the year, and quite a bit of work on marching and formations.  We also issued and updated their dress white uniforms, all to prepare for the upcoming Veterans Day Parade.  We will be marching in the Kingsland, GA parade on November 11, followed by a celebration at the VFW.

On October 1, 2025, the government shut down.  The military members received their first of the month paycheck but there were looming fears of a continued shutdown without a 15th payday check. On Monday October 6, MNL hosted another MMDTG.  Chick-Fil-A food for almost 200 dinners was distributed in less than 90 minutes.  Families that received food were asked how they felt about the possibility of not receiving a paycheck on the 15th; one family with six children and whose spouse is at sea, just started crying. The Food Farmacy is sponsored by the COJ and provides grocery food items to those with military ID cards; in the past months, the food carline for food is about 100 cars.  On October 9, the carline was over 200 and the food ran out with many military families leaving without food.

October 13th Pictures:

The need for food is real.  With the government shutdown, the military pay remained uncertain for the 15th which caused increased anxiety and food insecurity concerns within the military families.  To help ease the anxiety, MNL hosted a special government shutdown MMDTG food distribution Monday, October 13, just before payday on the 15th.  Funds for food distribution were provided with personal donations.  Local Action News Jax broadcasted on the 13th and interviewed many military spouses and family members. To support military families, the MNL sponsored FREE Diapers & Baby Wipes in conjunction with the MMDTG on the 13th.  Through an incredible response from the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club Aqua Exercise Ladies and the South Jacksonville Community Coffee Group over 10,000 diapers were donated and hundreds of baby wipes.  Local TV Action News Jacksonville visited a MNL member's home to see stacks of diapers and reported on it. Per President Trump's actions, the military members were paid on October 15, but uncertainty remains since Congress has not passed a Continuing Resolution.  A large personal donation after October 13 allowed MNL to host another MMDTG on October 20.  Just like the other MMDTGs, the food ran out in less than 30 minutes.  The food concerns remain. The next MMDTG is scheduled for November 3.  If interested in supporting MNL's food program, please donate and write the check to: Mayport Navy League, PO Box 331944, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233-1715.  All donations are tax deductible.

"It seems to me that all good Americans interested in the growth of their country and sensitive to its honor, should give hearty support to the policies which the Navy League is founded to further.  For the building and maintaining in proper shape of the American Navy, we must rely on nothing but the broad and farsighted patriotism of our people as a whole." Teddy Roosevelt

To this end, the Navy League works closely with the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and US-flag Merchant Marine through a network of over 240 councils in the U.S. and around the world.  The Navy League has over 35 thousand active members.

The Navy League supports America's young people through its youth programs, including sponsorship of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy League Scholarship Program.  Individual councils are also involved in promoting youth-oriented activities in their communities such as NJROTC, MCJROTC, and ROTC units along with other recognized youth programs.  Local councils and national headquarters provide over $200,000 in scholarships and awards every year.