The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall is a 65 ft black granite monument that represents a great tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. The memorial wall honors over 1,700 Jacksonville-area service members who have given their lives while in the service of our country - four (4) more names were added to the wall this year. As the nation's second-largest veterans memorial, the wall recognizes veterans from all seven branches of the military: Army / Marines / Navy / Air Force / Space Force / Coast Guard / Merchant Marine. In the center of the memorial stands a torch with an eternal flame, symbolizing the enduring gratitude of our community. MNL Member Brian Kennedy presented the MNL wreath and saluted the Wall of Honor at Monday's Memorial Day ceremony on May 25th.

On Tuesday, April 28th, MNL and its supporting sponsors hosted the Naval Station Mayport 2nd Quarter Sailor of the Quarter (SOQ) Award Program at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center on Tuesday, October 28th.  Command Master Chief Strickland was unable to be the Master of Ceremonies, so Command Master Chief Tom Perkins (LSCRON 2 CMC) assumed the duty.  The program opened with a welcome, followed by the meal blessing, and then lunch. 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 KeKe Johnson.  CMDCM Johnson talked about the importance of the SOQ program and leadership development. There were 44 awardees that received a certificate and command leadership photo.  The line of sponsors congratulated the awardees.  The program concluded with a group photo. In February, the Navy Station Mayport Commands recognized their Sailors of the Year.  The Naval Station Mayport Sailor of the Year awardee is AC1 Frank Ayala, and recently he won the prestigious Southeast Region Sailor of the Year.  AC1 Ayala is currently in Washington DC representing the Southeast Region at the CNIC Level.  At this level, if selected, he will be immediately promoted to Chief Petty Officer! Good Luck AC1 Ayala!

The 2026 Naval Order of the United States D-Day and Battle of Midway commemoration dinner will be on Saturday, June 6, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Cypress Village near Mayo Hospital.  Mayport Navy Leaguers are cordially invited to join this remembrance of those days of valor. The cocktails hour (cash bar) will be from 5:30pm to 6:15pm followed by dinner in the Cypress Village Egret Hall Dining Room.  Dinner choices are Cypress Salad, Petite Filet, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus or Cypress Salad, Mahi Mahi, Rice Pilaf, and Asparagus followed by Key Lime Pie for dessert.  The cost of the meal is $40 and can be paid via the link shown below or a check to the Naval Order of the United States.  The dinner and program's attire is Formal or appropriate Civilian Dress. Following dinner, the keynote speaker is CAPTf Ed Turner (ret), USN Executive Director of the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum.  He will reflect on the historic events which changed the tide of WWII and how they still influence today!

The USS Stark (FFG 31) was assigned to Naval Station Mayport in Mayport, FL on May 17th, 1987, while on deployment in the Persian Gulf, the ship was attacked by an Iraqi plane that fired two Exocet missiles killing 37 sailors.  The first missile failed to detonate.  It penetrated the ship on the port side below the bridge just a few feet above the waterline and exited midships by the galley.  The fuel from the missile caused massive fires and instantly killed three Senior Chiefs in the Chiefs berthing compartment.  The warhead landed in a passageway by the galley.  Less than a minute later, the second missile detonated just a few feet from where the first missile entered the ship. To pay his respect, President Reagan arrived at Naval Station Mayport on May 22, 1987.  He spoke with and greeted the family members as well as 300 more family and friends in the helo hangar next to the air strip on base.  His speech is also available on the website, www.ussstarkmemorial.com. Had it not been for the actions of the crew to save the ship, the Stark would surely be at the bottom of the sea.  Not only are they dealing with the destruction of the explosion and the fire it caused, but they also had to control flooding from all the water used to fight the fires.  The crew, in real time, had to modify their firefighting skills to overcome the complete loss of the forward fire main system due to the destruction caused by the missiles.  Today, those lessons are still taught in firefighting schools throughout the Navy. Every year, Naval Station Mayport and the Naval Order of the United States co-host a Memorial Service for the 37 Sailors who lost their lives during the Iraqi attack on USS Stark.  The Mayport Navy League also provides a memorial wreath. The Service has grown in attendance each year with some survivors attending for the first time, even after 35 years.  The ceremony includes the tradition of "tolling the bell" as each name is called for each Stark shipmate that was lost that night.  Shipmates from other commands that helped save the ship also attend including USS Acadia (AD 42), USS Conyngham (DDG 17), USS Waddell (DDG 24), and USS La Salle (AGF 3).

About week before the MMDTG on May 13th, the event leaders agreed to cancel the event due to a threatening weather forecast of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and wind.  It is always prudent to be cautious of weather that would affect our volunteers.  Although the actual weather on the 13th was not as expected, our event leader team and the volunteers were appreciative of our concern for their safety. As following the pattern of the summer of 2025, the MMDTG program will take a respite for the summer months.  With many military families moving due to PCS or on vacations, school summer closures, summer heat affecting volunteer participation and the inability to keep the dinners fresh due to the heat, the MMDTG MNL food program will take a break until September 7th when we continue the program.  A sincere and hearty thanks to all the volunteers who regularly share their time and talents in keeping our MNL food program robust and successful in providing food for our military members and their families.

On May 2nd, the Mayport Sea Cadets were invited to tour the Air National Guard 125th Fighter Wing.  Cadets performed a PRT upon arrival to prepare for summer training.  They then changed into Type III's and were brought to the base HQ for a classroom style presentation by Deputy Commander Colonel David "Lipps" Simeon.  The unit enjoyed lunch at the base mess hall before getting a close up encounter with the F-35 aircraft, which was incredible! A fire station tour followed, and the cadets learned how that station not only responds to the Air National Guard base but also assists in emergencies at Jacksonville International Airport since it sits adjacent to its main runway.  A multi-vehicle military escorted the cadets back to HQ for a final briefing and dismissal. On MAY 16th, the Unit held its final drill before summer break which consisted of an award and promotion ceremony.  The Mayport Division also honorably discharged CPO Lucas Harnek, who graduates from High School in May and prepares to enter the US Coast Guard in July.  Overall, we celebrated six promotions & advancements that took place over the past few months, and five cadets received awards and recognition for academic achievement, excellence in PRT results, and swim qualifications. On behalf of the Mayport Navy League, Captain Bob Whitkop awarded LC3 Raymor the Roosevelt Youth Ribbon, and CPO Harnek the Roosevelt Youth Medal and a $500 Scholarship check from the Mayport Navy League.  The ceremony took place at the Foc'sle Lounge/CPO Club, and beside Captain Whitkop, Jim Young, Brian Kennedy, and George Huchting also attended from the Navy League.  We were also grateful that Naval Station Mayport Commanding Officer Captain Trumbull, and other honored guests from the Sea Cadets were able to join us for the celebration.  It was a great way to wrap up this season. The cadets will be on summer break until school resumes in mid-August.  We are grateful for all the support the Sea Cadets have received from the Mayport Navy League and Naval Station Mayport this year, and we wish everyone a safe and happy summer.

The USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) returned to Naval Station Mayport on May 16th with a historic, record-breaking nearly year-long deployment spanned roughly 330 days at sea, departing on June 21, 2025. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and its crew completed the deployment, operating across three major regions – the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.  The Carrier Strike Group included the USS Gerald F. Ford, nine aviation squadrons, and several destroyers to include the USS Winston S. Churchill. The USS Winston S. Churchill is commanded by CAPT Judson Mallory, departed Mayport on June 21, 2025, and spent 11 months supporting the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier and its Strike Group.  During the deployment, the ship worked alongside more than 15 allied nations and partner countries in support of combat situations. The welcoming homecoming of over 500 families, friends, and pier side military colleagues lined the pier with "Welcome Home" posters, balloons, and US flags.  Even before the ship was pier side the families were calling out and waving to their loved ones standing at attention and manning the ship rails.  It was a very emotional welcoming with families from all over the United States such as Texas, California, Ohio, Virginia and many more. The Mayport Navy League supported the homecoming by giving out American Flags as the families walked onto the pier.  .  The MNL volunteers helping to celebrate the USS Winston Churchill's return were Ryan Tillotson, Eric Alfaro, Nick Norfleet, Brian Kennedy, Barbara Ives, and Bob Whitkop.

Dear MNL Members and Friends, We hope you enjoy the newest section of our monthly newsletter...  Member Spotlight.  Our inaugural spotlight goes to our MNL Membership Director, Eric Alfaro.  We asked Eric to provide a short bio, to share why he wanted to join the Mayport Navy League, and what his plans are to build the MNL capabilities.  Why Eric joined MNL and what are his plans as the Membership Director? Eric joined the Mayport Navy League (MNL) in 2025 to reconnect with the Mayport military community and remain engaged in efforts supporting service members, families, and the Mayport community.  After growing up in a Navy family and later serving as a Surface Warfare Officer, Eric has always valued the service, camaraderie, and sense of community that come with being part of the Navy family.  In 2026, he joined the MNL Board to support the Membership program and help strengthen connections among members.  "The Navy League gives me an opportunity to give back to our sailors, families, and the broader sea services community", Eric said.  "I really enjoy getting to know our members and hearing about their connections to the Navy and our military community." His Biography: Eric received his commission through the Georgia Tech Naval ROTC program and began his Navy career as a Surface Warfare Officer assigned to the USS Sampson, homeported in Mayport.  During his time aboard ship, he served as Main Engines Officer and Combat Information Center Officer.  His deployments took him throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea.  During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Eric served as both Combat Information Center Officer and Boarding Officer.  He later continued his service in the Navy Reserve as Weapons Officer for the augmentation crew of a frigate based in Charleston, South Carolina.  After leaving Active-Duty, Eric applied his shipboard leadership and operations experiences to build a successful career in technology leadership.  His work included senior roles with major technology, media, and business services organizations, including EarthLink, T-Mobile, Dun & Bradstreet, Turner Broadcasting, Modis Professional Services, Adecco Group, and People 2.0.  He retired from the corporate world in 2024 and now enjoys part-time consulting. Eric and his wife Kelly have been married for 35 years and live in Atlantic Beach.  They have two grown children: a daughter who lives in Monterey and is married to a SWO, and a son who is married and lives in St. Augustine.  In their free time, Eric and Kelly enjoy traveling, hiking, exercising, and spending time with their children.  They are members of the First Christian Church of the Beaches.

The Mayport Navy League (MNL) Food Farmacy (FF) is a food-support program designed to help Active-Duty service members and their families at Naval Station Mayport who may be experiencing food insecurity or financial stress.  FF will continue to be a food source twice a month throughout the summer July on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 9am to 11am.  Notice the hours are different than the fall/winter hours.  The summer hours provide volunteers with a break from the afternoon heat and possible food spoilage. The program provides access to pantry-style groceries, household staples, and fresh or shelf-stable food items so military families can stretch their budgets and maintain healthy meals at home. This program is in support of the Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Association in its efforts to provide fresh food to our Active-Duty Members.  The role MNL plays is giving commissary food cards of $25 to those with Military ID cards.  With just FF supporting the MNL food program during the summer months, the number of food cards will be doubled to 40.  The commissary food cards supplement the family's food budget with items not in the FF food distribution. By helping families with groceries, the program allows service members to focus more fully on their mission while knowing their families have support from the local community. Military Monday- Dinner to Go resumes on September 14th from 3-5pm or until the food runs out.

The Mayport Sea Cadets are currently enjoying their summer months of June and July with family and friends. In August, the Cadets are back in school.  On August 15th, the Mayport Sea Cadets will host an Open House on the base at 707 Everglades Court Unit A. All MNL members are invited to stop by for a terrific BBQ lunch and the opportunity to meet the Commanding Officer and his Leadership team.  Additionally, to learn more about the Sea Cadet program and to become familiarized with the new school year drill schedule and its requirements. Please RSVP for the event with our recruiting officer, Merissa Davis at ro.062may@seacadets.org.  If base access is needed, contact Merissa at this email address.

The Navy's oldest aircraft carrier pulled into Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, for a port call after more than three months circumnavigating Central and South America following its departure from Naval Base Kitsap in Washington on March 7.  The 51-year-old carrier is scheduled to continue its northbound course to eventually arrive at its new homeport of Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.  During the deployment, Nimitz became the longest-serving carrier in U.S. Navy history, surpassing the USS Enterprise. USS Nimitz took part in the Southern Seas 26 multinational exercises, training with naval units including Chile, Argentina and Brazil, among other countries.  It hosted visits by dignitaries from Panama to Jamaica, who were flown out to the ship to meet with RADM Cassidy Norman, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, and CAPT Joseph Furco, Nimitz Commanding Officer. The USS Nimitz is scheduled to retire in March 2027, when it is replaced in the fleet by the expected commissioning of USS John F. Kennedy, the second Gerald R. Ford-class carrier.

The Navy League of the United States has introduced a more flexible membership program designed to make participation easier and more affordable.  The major change is the addition of Free Basic Membership.

MEMBERSHIP CHOICES

Basic Membership — Free for one year.  Provides digital access to Seapower magazine, Navy League newsletters, podcasts and maritime-policy information.  Basic members may connect with a local council, participate in advocacy and become involved in local programs, events and volunteer opportunities.

Premium Membership — $55 for one year or $250 for five years.  Includes all Basic benefits, plus printed editions of Seapower magazine and the annual Seapower Almanac, as well as participating-company discounts.

Premium Life Membership — $650.  Provides Premium benefits for life, along with special recognition and invitations to selected events.

Why The New Program Is Important Free Basic Membership removes the cost barrier that may have prevented younger adults, Active-Duty service members, military spouses, students, veterans and community supporters from joining.  People can now learn about the Navy League and participate in its mission before deciding whether to become Premium members. The program also gives the Navy League a larger national network of citizens who can advocate for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.  More members mean a stronger collective voice when educating elected officials and the public about maritime security, military readiness and the needs of sea service members and their families. Impact On Current And Active Members Are Essential Premium and Life members provide financial support that helps sustain national operations, publications, advocacy and membership services.  They also receive benefits not included with the free membership, particularly printed publications, discounts, recognition and selected invitations. With the new membership program, Mayport Navy League (MNL) like the other League Councils, must focus on new member interaction, engagement, and communication.  MNL will need to welcome Basic members, invite them to activities and show them how their participation supports local Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Mariners and military families. Impact On Potential Members Potential members can now join without making an immediate financial commitment.  They can receive Navy League information, attend local activities, volunteer for programs and experience the organization's mission firsthand.  For MNL, this creates an excellent opportunity to introduce more people to programs such as Military Monday-Dinners to Go, Food Farmacy, Sailor recognition events, youth programs and other support for Naval Station Mayport families. Most importantly, the new membership program changes the dynamics from a rigid dues-only to a more conditional and encouraging option.  The success of the modified membership program will be determined by the results of engaging our current MNL membership through board meetings, monthly newsletters, website, and social media, volunteer participation, and joining the board and committee positions...  All ways to make MNL the best it can be.

August 4, 1790: The U.S. Coast Guard was founded as the Revenue Marine by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. August 7, 1782: General George Washington established the Badge of Military Merit, the precursor to the Purple Heart. August 7, 1942: The U.S. Navy Amphibious Task Force landed Marines on Guadalcanal in the first U.S. land and amphibious offensive of World War II.

Dear MNL Members, Partners, and Sponsors, we would like to introduce you to one of our newest MNL Members - Stephen Hudson. Why Stephen Joined The Mayport Navy League And What He Hopes To Contribute After 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Stephen Hudson wanted to remain connected to the sea services community and continue supporting military members, Veterans, and their families.  The Mayport Navy League provides a natural connection between his military background, his commitment to service, and his current work helping service members successfully navigate civilian life. Stephen values organizations that bring people together around a meaningful mission.  Through the Navy League, he hopes to build relationships with others who care deeply about sailors, Marines, Coast Guard members, Merchant Mariners, and their families.  He also looks forward to contributing his experience in workforce development, leadership, Veteran employment, and military transition. "The Navy shaped much of who I am", Stephen said.  "The opportunity to stay connected to the Navy community while supporting the men and women who serve, and the families who serve alongside them, is very meaningful to me." His Biography Stephen K. Hudson grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, in a large Catholic family with a strong tradition of military service.  His father served as a Marine Corps communications officer during the Vietnam War, and his grandfather retired as a Brigadier General in the Marine Corps and was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions at Iwo Jima. Stephen enlisted in the Navy in 1985 as a data analyst and spent 20 years supporting naval aviation maintenance.  Most of his assignments were with squadrons attached to aircraft carriers. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science in Digital Marketing from Full Sail University.  After retiring in 2005, Stephen held management and executive positions in several industries before establishing his own marketing company in 2016. Today, Stephen is the founder and CEO of AI Ready Veteran, a nonprofit organization he launched in 2024 to help Active-Duty military members, Veterans, and their families successfully navigate military transition, and as a workforce development consultant and leadership advisor, helping employers become better prepared to hire, develop, and retain Veteran talent. Stephen and his wife, Trudy, have six children and three grandchildren.

The Mayport Navy League (MNL) supports the City of Jacksonville Food Farmacy (FF) and is a program designed to help Active-Duty service members and their families at who may be experiencing food insecurity or financial stress.  FF will continue to be a food source twice a month throughout the summer on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 9am to 11am by distributing MNL food gift cards. By helping families with food needs, the program allows service members to focus more fully on their mission while knowing their families have support from the local community.

Several Mayport Sea Cadets were busy attending Basic and Advanced training during June and July.  Additionally in July, a new Sea Cadet attended Recruit Training (RT) at Camp Blanding which is a required initial training program and a requirement to become eligible for advanced training.  RT lasts ten days and teaches cadets proper military bearing (marching & formations), naval terminology and history, and teamwork.  For many Sea Cadets, it's their first time away from home with no contact with family and friends, which is particularly challenging in today's world of constant communication.  For our recruit, it was his first training experience and he learned a great deal. Other Sea Cadets attended Advanced Training in Culinary and Petty Officer Leadership Academy courses at Camp Blanding in Clay County, and another Sea Cadet participated in Basic Seamanship training at NS Mayport.  For Mayport Sea Cadets traveling outside Florida, one Cadet attended a Photojournalism course hosted by the Kentucky Central Command and another traveled to Kerrville TX to attend Ceremonial Honor Guard training.  Overall, our Mayport Sea Cadets have been very active in developing and/or defining their leadership and seamanship skills. The Mayport Division will remain on summer break until 15 AUG, when the unit will host a welcome back cookout and open house information session for prospective cadets.  We are excited for our upcoming season, and always grateful to the MNL for your ongoing support.  If interested in attending and supporting the welcome cookout, RSVP to the recruiting officer, Merissa Davis at ro.062may@seacadets.org.  If base access is needed, contact Merissa at this email address.

The Naval Station Mayport Third Quarter Sailor of the Quarter Recognition Luncheon was held on July 28 at 11:30 a.m.  This important ceremony recognized about 70 outstanding Sailors for their exceptional performance, leadership, dedication and service. The Sailor of the Quarter program is an important Navy tradition that recognizes Sailors who consistently demonstrate professional excellence, strong character, teamwork and commitment to the Navy's mission.  Selection is a significant achievement because nominees are evaluated against other high-performing Sailors and represent the very best of their commands.  This recognition strengthens morale, encourages continued excellence and shows Sailors that their hard work and contributions are valued. With many Mayport units currently deployed in an uptempo environment, recognizing the top-performing Sailors at Naval Station Mayport is especially meaningful.  Their work supports operational readiness and command morale. We extend our sincere appreciation to our generous sponsors and Mayport Navy League members for attending in person to honor these exceptional Sailors.  The MNL sponsors' and partners' support mean a great deal to the awardees, their guests and the command representatives attending the luncheon.  Their support demonstrated that their service, sacrifice and achievements are respected and deeply appreciated.

On February 26th, a group of 13 MNL members participated in a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) training session. What is an LCS?  The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast and agile coastal U.S. Navy surface combatant designed to operate in near-shore (littoral) environments where larger ships have limited maneuverability.  The LCS program began in the early 2000s to address emerging coastal threats, in shallow waters and congested maritime regions, such as small fast attack craft, mines, maritime security threats, and quiet diesel submarines. Attending the training session were Nick & Donna Norfleet, Wayne Dietel, Brian Kennedy, Tim Jenkins, Bill Towcimak, John & Pat Strohofer, Jim Young, Bob Buehn, David Belanger, and Laurette & Clark Gaylord.  A special thanks to Ryan Tillotson for arranging the LCS trainer session.

On a brisk Tuesday, February 24th, the Mayport Naval Station Sailors of the Year (SOY), honoring the best performing sailors during 2025, were recognized and congratulated. The Ocean Breeze Conference Center was near capacity with over 90 awardees in an audience of 190 attendees.  Each awardee and their command leadership were invited to the podium for recognition and a certificate, and a group photo.  Supporting the awardees were many family members and friends who were invited to join the individual commands in the photo. Attending the luncheon included over 20 base commands and the Mayport Coast Guard Command, unable to attend were 10 commands on deployment.  The Mayport Navy League luncheon sponsors and partners were Hover Girl Properties, First Command, Navy Federal Credit Union, Navy Wives Club of America #201, USAA, and Surface Navy Association. The menu included pork loin smothered w/ gravy onions and peppers, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, pretzel sticks, and assorted cookies and enjoyed by all. The Master of Ceremonies was CMCM Strickland, and the program remarks were presented by Naval Station Commanding Officer, Captain Mike Trumbull.  The keynote speaker was Command Master Chief Carlos T. Slade, the senior enlisted leader currently serving at Naval Station Mayport's Afloat Training Group.

MNL February Social at Royal Palm in Atlantic Beach on Thursday, February 19th famous for their awesome tapas dishes and large selection of wines. Over 25 MNL members, spouses, and friends attended the social with lots of great conversation, good food and delicious wines.  Special thanks to Eric Alfaro, the MNL new membership lead, for arranging the gathering, providing nametags, and promoting membership interests.  A highlight of the social was the attendance of our board member, Captain Mike Trumbull, Naval Station Commanding Officer. At the social, MNL President Bob Whitkop presented Navy League National Outstanding Performance awards to Mayport Navy League members.  The Navy League Donald M. Mackie Award for communications was presented to Wayne Dietel (website), Brian Kennedy (Facebook), and Barbara Ives (newsletter).

On February 9th, MNL hosted the 2nd 2026 MMDTG on a very cold and blustery afternoon.  Due to the weather, there were fewer volunteers than usual.  Those volunteers that persevered the elements are greatly appreciated for their dedication to our food programs and support of our military members and their families. As usual the military members and their families arrived well before 3pm and waited patiently for the hot food to serve to their families at home.  Diapers and baby wipes were available to families that needed the items.  Again, the carline opened early and after less than 2 hours, the food ran out. From the carline participants, it was learned that many mark their calendars to receive the monthly MMDTG food.  It truly helps bolster their morale and provide good food for their family members.  One Active-Duty member and mom of 4 shared that the best part of her day on MMDTG is their children's excitement for Chick-A-Filet hot food and her happiness that she does not have to cook that night. Everyone leaving the church parking lot with their food always stopped to say, "Thank you so much!  We really appreciate MNL and your help make our day better."

On February 7th, the Mayport Sea Cadets spent the day with the United States Marine Corps Bravo Company 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion.  Cadets participated in a weapons demonstration, a mixed martial arts lesson, watched a Navy Corpsman "stop the bleed", and boarded an AAV7 track vehicle for a ride through the woods on their training base. Thank you, Mr. Brian Kennedy (Past MNL President and member), for coordinating an incredible and eventful day!  HOO-Rah! On February 21st, the unit was welcomed to the Mayport Naval Station Quarterdeck.  The Cadets participated in morning colors and received an introduction and brief tour of the building with base PAO David Holmes.  We also enjoyed a briefing as well as the personal military history and goals of Base Commanding Officer Captain Mike "Bull" Trumbull.  Afterwards, the Cadets received a tour of a harbor patrol boat and a tractor (tug) boat.  With perfect timing, our unit was at the basin when the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) returned to Mayport from a short deployment.  The remainder of the day included chow, some classroom time, a dress white inspection, marching practice, and three Cadet promotions. For the weekend of February 28th, the Sea Cadets conducted a joint drill with the American Victory Division out of Tampa, FL.  Both Units toured the USS Marinette and had lunch before the American Victory Division departed home.

Laurette and Clark Gaylord, MNL Members, have teamed up to lead a February baby wipes donation effort at Cypress Village. After watching a MMDTG, which included diaper and baby wipes distribution during the government shutdown, they decided to extend the support by rallying Cypress Village residents to donate baby wipes.  Their efforts have been very well received with many packages for our military families.  It's Laurette and Clark's energy that crafted this initiative and sustained it for the entire month of February.  Our sincere thanks and appreciation for their efforts and to Cypress Village for their generous donations.

Base Commanders: Recruiters: Congressional Offices: Economic Development: Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department (MAVD): Sheriff Office:

On January 10th, 2026, the Mayport Sea Cadets hosted their second Open House of the drill season on base at the unit house.  We were joined by two new interested families and most of our current cadets along with their parents.  CO Ron Harnek held a parent/cadet meeting to share drill plans for the second half of the season as well as goals for the unit.  There was a family BBQ, PT and military bearing exercises, awards and promotions, and a short Winter Training Graduation ceremony for those cadets who attended Camp Blanding over winter break (poor weather on January 4th caused the planned Blanding graduation ceremony to be canceled). On January 24th, our unit visited the HMS40 helicopter training squadron.  LT Dominic "Squatch" Garofalo gave an interactive and informative tour of the MH60R, the facilities, and flight line.  Cadets were highly engaged and inspired while being permitted to sit in the pilot cockpit and explore the aircraft cabin.  The day also included PT, chow, classroom training, military training as well as morning and afternoon colors. Our next drill is February 7th, where the cadets will be welcomed to the US Marine Corps Reserve Training base for a full day of extreme activities, generously arranged by MNL Past President Brian Kennedy.

On Monday January 12th, the Mayport Navy League kicked off its new year with the 2026 Military Monday-Dinners to Go program.  It was a blustery, raw and cold day with threatening rain; however, the volunteers supporting this valued event were warm at heart and ready to distribute food to our Active-Duty military members and their families. On this day, 300 meals were distributed.The meals included Chick-Fil-A sandwiches or chicken nuggets, a bag of chips, and a bottled water.  As usual, the 300 meals were gone in less than 2 hours.  The funds for this event were provided through a MOAA grant. Special thanks to our volunteers who braved the weather from Fleet Landing, MOAA, and our own MNL members: Tom Atkins, Gayle Holmes, Ed Fahy, Victoria & Dicki Fahy, Chet Davis, Mike Marchetti, Carol Smith, Reid Crawshaw, George Huchting, Brian Kennedy, Tim Jenkins, Pat Kluever, and Barbara Ives.