USS Turner Joy Memorial Day Service                                      Photo by James Klose

The general pubic is invited to attend a Memorial Day Service, Monday, May 27 at 10 AM on the fantail of the historic ship, USS Turner Joy on the waterfront in Bremerton. Rear Admiral Dietrich Kuhlmann, Commander Submarine Group Nine will be the Keynote Speaker

The ceremony is sponsored by the US Navy League, Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council and coordinated by Navy League President Tim Katona, who serves as master of Ceremonies.

The USS Turner Joy is located near the Bremerton ferry terminal at the north end of the marina. Parking is available at the Convention Center nearby. Coffee and donuts will be provided in the ship’s crew’s mess after the ceremony.

Come early, as seating is limited.

SAN DIEGO (April 19, 2013) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), right, passes USS Dewey (DDG 105) as it departs homeport in San Diego for a six-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet

KEY WEST, Florida (April 23, 2013) The Military Sealift Command high-speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) and a tethered TIF-25K aerostat are moored at Mole Pier at Naval Air Station Key West prior to at sea testing for future Operation Martillo counter transnational organized crime operations while assigned to U.S. 4th Fleet.

Strike group sailors may soon attain something they’ve lacked for the past decade: solid schedules.

Aircraft carriers and their escorts will shift next year to a radically new deployment plan that offers more scheduling certainty with a trade-off — more time deployed. Under the new regime, a carrier strike group will undergo one work-up cycle and then deploy twice before heading into an overhaul back home. Each cruise lasts seven months.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert, who has ordered the plan to go forward, said it will give sailors more “predictable” deployments while providing the “maximum presence” called for in the Pentagon’s latest strategy. “I kind of like it because it more readily defines the reality that we have seen and the reality that we see in the future,” Greenert said of the plan March 26, before details were revealed.

By boosting carrier presence overseas, Navy officials say, the service will shift carriers between the operational fleets and will be less prone to “surge” the ships, an abrupt process that disrupts sailors’ lives.

MEETING TODAY’S CHALLENGES AND PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

A MARITIME NATION

The United States is a maritime nation with vital interests far from its shores. The U.S. Navy operates forward to provide stabilizing presence, deter conflict, and contribute key capabilities to win our Nation’s wars. The Navy’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Program supports the President’s Defense Strategic Guidance (DSG), Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense.

In executing the DSG, the FY 2014 Navy Program rebalances our effort toward the Asia-Pacific region, sustains our support to partners in the Middle East, focuses our presence at key strategic maritime crossroads, and meets the highest-priority capability demands of the geographic combatant commanders. With its FY 2014 investments, the Navy will continue to provide the ability to respond to a dynamic and complex international environment. The DSG highlights the challenges and opportunities the United States will face, establishes ten primary missions of the U.S. Armed Forces and offers a blueprint to guide decisions about the size and shape of the Joint Force between now and 2020.

Navy Program Guide 2013

PEARL HARBOR (April 21, 2013) The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) enters Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as friends and family members of Sailors greet them from shore. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is returning from an eight-month deployment conducting operations in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) — The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) made its first stop in the U.S. at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam April 21 following an eight-month deployment to the 5th and 7th fleet areas of responsibility (AOR).

While deployed, JCSCSG flew more than 11,500 sorties totaling 27,000 flight hours, and conducted community relations and service projects during port visits to Thailand, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Singapore.

“We are excited to be back in the U.S. after a very successful deployment,” said Rear Adm. Mike Shoemaker. “The strike group Sailors here did a fantastic job in every mission area. Through their efforts, we were able to provide extensive support to the coalition effort in Operation Enduring Freedom and to enhance our maritime relationships with regional partners throughout the 5th and 7th fleet operating areas.”

Navy News article

Every May the Bremerton Chamber of Conference hosts the Armed Forces Festival. First celebrated in 1948, this includes the nation’s largest and longest running Armed Forces Day Parade and Festival. The Chamber wants to thank the men and women that wear the uniform of the United States of America Armed Forces. Please help our community in saying thank you to our Armed Forces by attending and supporting the festival events.

May 8 Armed Forces Festival Ambassador Speakoff
Keyport Museum, 6pm free, public invited

Want to be inspired by the youth of today? Plan on joining us on May 8th at 6 PM at the Naval Undersea Museum Auditorium Keyport WA. Each year, as part of the Bremerton Armed Forces Festival, selected high school seniors from all over Kitsap participate in a multi task competition for scholarships. For the final event, each person prepares and delivers a speech on a U S veteran or naturalized citizen of their choosing. Each will be asked to answer an impromptu question. Our Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Navy League Council is proud to sponsor Miss Kaylee Brace in support of her efforts to apply for this year’s “Armed Forces Festival Ambassador Scholarship”.

May 10 Pepsi Armed Forces Festival Golf Tournament
Gold Mountain Golf Complex, 7:30 am or 1 pm starts

The Pepsi Armed Forces Golf Tourament is in its 22^nd year. It is played on the Gold Mountain Cascade Course. The tournament is comprised of a best Ball Scramble team event. Two Shotgun starts are available at 7:30 AM or 1PM

Register here

Team Information (Entry fee $400 per team) Form your own team, or we can pair you with someone. MILITARY: Entry fee $50 for active duty & reserve military, $100 for all others. All team members (active duty, reserve, or civil service must be from the same command or Unit).

May 11 Armed Forces Festival Military Culinary Arts Competition
Olympic College Student Center, 10 am to 2 PM-tasters needed about 2!

May 12 2012 – Bremerton mayor Patty Lent gives Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Kenzil Woodard from Winnsboro, S.C., assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), a thumbs up after taste testing chili during the Olympic College Foundation Military Culinary Arts Competition held in Bremerton.

The Armed Forces Military Arts Culinary Competition got it’s beginning as a simple Chili CookOff on Armed Forces Day. It has grown into a stand alone event on the Saturday before Armed Forces Day Parade. The audience gets to sample all the entries after the judging.

Competition Categories

• Chicken wings
• Cakes
• Chili
• Garnish
• Dessert Pies
• Hors d’oeuvres
• Iron Chef (secret ingredient)

Commercial Chili Contest
In addition there is a commercial Chili Cookoff. The winner chosen by popular vote.

May 11 Costco Special Military Shopping Event
Costco is sponsoring a Special Military Shopping Event, Saturday May 11, 2013 6PM – 8PM

It’s an exclusive event with an exciting offer for new members.

Honoring those who serve our country

You do not need a membership to attend!

Fun for the whole Family & Activities for the Kids!

Exclusive Offer at this Event:

Join as a new Executive Member and get a $20 Costco Cash Card
Join as a new Gold Star Member and get a $10 Costco Cash Card

May 18 Bremerton Lions Pancake Breakfast
Downtown Bremerton at 4^th and Pacific 8 AM-10 AM

Denise Zaske from Poulsbo working with the Bremerton Central Lions serves pancakes, and eggs at the pancake breakfast before the Armed Forces Day Parade in downtown Bremerton. LARRY STEAGALL / KITSAP SUN

For many years on Armed Forces Day, prior the parade, we host our annual Pancake Breakfast on Fourth Street in downtown Bremerton. Proceeds from this event allow the Lions to give at least one $1000 scholarship to a worthy Bremerton High School student each year.

May 18 Armed Forces Festival Parade
Downtown Bremerton 10AM – 12PM Parade Route

USS Kentucky Marches in the May 2012 Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade.
Meegan M Reid/Kitsap Sun

“Because of our Families and for our Future”

The Armed Forces Day Parade held in Bremerton is the largest and longest running Armed Forces Day Parade in the Nation. This year is the 65^th year of the event held on the third Saturday of May in downtown Bremerton. The Grand Marshals for the Parade  are Radm Mark Rich, Commander Navy Region Northwest, and retired Congressman Norm Dicks. The parade route begins at Olympic College Warren Avenue, down 17^th street to Park then proceeds down Park street to Fouth Street, Left on Fourth to Pacific Avenue, left on Pacific past the viewing stand at Fifth Street to Sixth Street, then right on Sixth street to Washington Blvd where it disperses.

May 18 Armed Forces Festival Hero’s Barbecue
Downtown Bremerton, Pacific Ave between Burwell and 4^th Ave 10AM – 2PM

PSE was honored to host the Heroes BBQ at the 2011 parade where we grilled and served 3,400 hot dogs to veterans, active duty members and attendees.

The Hero’s Barbeque is honoring the return of the USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 and provides a free Hotdog, chips and a soda meal to all Active Duty, Reserve, Retired Veterans and their families.

May 18 Navy League Black Tie Gala
Bremerton Admiral Theatre 6 PM – 10 PM

Remember the Maine | Retired Capt. Will Lent presents the Olympic Trophy to Cmdr. Mark Schmall and Cmdr. Rich Massie, commanding officers of USS Maine (SSBN 741), at the Bremerton Armed Forces Gala as Rear Adm. Bob Hennegan, commander of Submarine Group 9, looks on. The trophy is awarded annually to the top ballistic missile submarine in the Pacific Fleet.

Annual Navy League Gala to honor our Military and recognize our community and political leaders. Each year, as the finale to Armed Forces celebrations in Bremerton,

our Navy League Council honors the local military commands by hosting the only black tie event, aside from formal military balls, in the area. The Grand Marshall of the Armed Forces Day Parade is traditionally the guest of honor and this year, Rear Admiral Mark Rich is also the keynote speaker for the evening.

Numerous business and community leaders also join us for this recognition ceremony. You do not want to miss this year’s gala at the Admiral Theatre and it could sell out early.

Additionally, as part of the evening, our council presents a special, annual award to the submarine crews who have achieved the top marks in battle efficiency. Competition is very competitive and this award is coveted among the boats homeported at Naval Base Kitsap. Our council started this trophy bowl many years ago and now a similar award is provided in Kings Bay, Georgia to a submarine that is homeported on the East Coast.

The Bremerton-Olympic Navy League Gala is the social event of the year in Bremerton and each year we recognize very special people for their outstanding contributions to our council and the military.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with one another prior to and following dinner and the program. Alejandro will perform Flamenco guitar after the official ceremony.

Tickets will be available at the Admiral Theatre. Phone (360) 373-6743. Call now and make your reservations, as space is limited. Tickets purchased before May 11 will be $65. After that, they will be $75.

Dress code:

Civilian: Black Tie or Business attire
Military: Dinner Dress or Service Dress Blues

Menu: Surf and Turf or Vegetarian

 

Costco is sponsoring a Special Military Shopping Event, Saturday May 11, 2013 6PM – 8PM

It’s an exclusive event with an exciting offer for new members.

Honoring those who serve our country

You do not need a membership to attend!

Fun for the whole Family & Activities for the Kids!

Exclusive Offer at this Event:

• Join as a new Executive Member and get a $20 Costco Cash Card
• Join as a new Gold Star Member and get a $10 Costco Cash Card

For more Information, please direct any questions to:

• Jeremy Jolliff at 360-308-2123 or email W013@costco.com

This is not an official military event

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 12, 2013) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the Pacific Ocean behind the Military SEaliftCommand fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) as it conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59).

CORONADO, Calif. – (NNS) — The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 departed Naval Air Station North Island April 19 and will join up with San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment.

Nimitz left its homeport of Naval Station Everett, Wash., March 29 to join Princeton and CVW 11 for a Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX) in preparation for their deployment. The Commander, U.S. Third Fleet-led exercise ensured the deployment readiness of key operational components of the strike group after a delay in deployment as a result of an emergent maintenance requirement.

Navy News article

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (April 17, 2013) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens speaks to Sailors and Marines during an all-hands call at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. During the one-day visit Stevens spoke to Sailors, their families, and civilian employees throughout the base about his ‘Zeroing in on Excellence’ initiative, which includes developing leaders, good order and discipline, and controlling what we own.

EVERETT, Wash. – (NNS) — Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Michael D. Stevens conducted a three-day trip visiting Navy Region Northwest April 16-18. During the trip, Stevens held all-hands calls with Sailors, Marines and civilians stationed on Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), and Naval Station Everett (NSE).

MCPON also visited Sailors assigned to tenant commands in the Pacific Northwest: the Ohio-class fleet ballistic submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) at NBK Bangor, and the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) at NSE.