Over the weekend of 2-4 September 2005, Board members Tom Denegre and wife Marta, Scott Cochrane and wife Ines, Luis Fernandez de la Mesa and wife Molly, Eva Garcia, Jim Dodson and Alex Grant visited Menorca for memorial and wreath laying ceremonies at the Admiral Farragut stature in Ciudadela and The American Cemetery in Mahon.

Celebrated in junction with the Rotary Club of Menorca’s President Senora Catalina Llopis , and members George Ferrara and wife Margaret, and Colin Guanaria and wife Margaret, they were joined by a representative of the Alcalde de Ciudadela Senor Santiago Pons Fedelich, Consell Insula de Menorca , Joana M. Barcelo Marti,  and expertly assisted throughout by Protocolo Oficial de Ayuntamiento Ciudadela Senor  Miguel Angle Limon.

A most befitting moment was the dedication of a plaque in the American Cemetery to long time friend and historian of the Cemetery, the late Jim Maps. Jim Dodson presented the plaque to his widow Julie and their three children with a fond recounting of all Jim had done in rescuing the Cemetery from overgrown oblivion, including replacement of lost and broken name plates with those of bronze.

Long time friend and supporter of our Council’s visits to Mahon, Pedro Cardona was presented a Certificate of Merit. Over the years he has provided easy access to the Cemetery with his barges, launches and piers. A very “Well Done” was his due.

The Sunday evening a Swing Band Concert of the US Navy Sixth Fleet Band from Naples thrilled a full house at El Teatro Real of Mahon. Band Leader Chief Petty Officer Duncan Hudson  and Lead bugler Musician Second Class James Raasch had performed  Taps at the wreath laying ceremonies earlier in the day.

Saturday our Board members were given a personalized visit of the Estación Naval de Mahón organized by Capitán de Fragata del Cuerpo General de la Armada Jaime Díaz-Deus Fernández the Jefe de la Estación Naval de Mahón y Comandante Naval de

Menorca. Originally built by the British in the early 1800s, it includes tunnels into the hillside with machinery and weapons handling facilities protected therein. A personalized visit to fortress La Mola escorted by Jim Maps son, James, who further enlightened us on  the strategic importance of this well protected harbor; home to the US Naval Academy before it was formally moved ashore in 1845 to Annapolis, Maryland.

With the finish of the ceremonies at the American Cemetery, Council Members were treated to a luncheon in the Port of Mahon by the Rotary Club, and the two Presidents exchanged gifts of thanks for each others support in bringing these Ceremonies back into being after a two year hiatus.