Dear Fellow Members and Friends,
With no doubt, 2009 will mark a new era in the United States. In January the Obama administration made a formal presentation to the world of one of the most ambitious agendas, probably since the Reagan administration, for transforming America and took immediate action on some of the many steps that will be necessary to fulfil this objective. On foreign policy Mr. Obama has made some relevant changes especially in the new ways of dealing with the international world leaders.
However, changes are not only in the USA, the entire world seems to be in an adjustment process and 2009 will be a year of global changes.
On a personal level, I am honoured to be the President of the Navy League of the United States of America in Madrid. For the last five years I have been an active member of the Board of Directors and have found the passion that everyone brings to this Council is absolutely remarkable.
We are very thankful for the unconditional support we receive from the US Embassy, the Spanish Navy and CNO Adm. Rebollo (AJEMA) , NATO Madrid and Naples, Rota Naval Base, the Spanish Ministry of Defence and most specially our loyal members, individual and corporate, with our two exceptional Platinum members - Lockheed Martin España and Indra.
If the beginning of my presidency could be rated based upon the success of our cocktail reception last May the 28th, then I could confirm with no doubts that it will be a fantastic year. Thank you very much to all that attended the cocktail and a special welcome as a first time to General Julio Rodriguez (JEMAD), whom we were delighted and honoured to have there.
Mr. Chacon, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the United States of America in Madrid granted us the luxury of being at the residence and we are certain our guests very much enjoyed the opportunity. All the personnel at the Residence were outstanding, most specially Cristina, Beatriz and Marta whom we have had a weekly contact for at least the last 3 months, their suggestions and support are indeed of great importance to us.
We hosted the Sailor of the Year and the award was to First Class Petty Officer Kennon, he is a Construction Electrician in the US Navy's SeaBee Corp and has qualified for the SeaBee Combat Warfare (SCW) pin. His current duties on the Naval Facility in Rota Spain are as a "Performance Assessment Representative", the award was presented by Captain Bailey, US Defense and Naval Attaché in Spain and Captain Tappan, Chief ODC Spain, also for the first time with us.
One last note to thank on first time assistance to our Council to: Lieutenant General José G. Sieiro, National Armament Director (DGAM) from the Ministry of Defense and Commander Second Fleet Pierre Granger all the way from Northfolk, Virginia.
The day following the cocktail your President and Vice President flew to Menorca for our yearly memorial ceremonies in Cuitadela and Mahon. I would like to express the Council's gratitude to the “Ejército de Tierra” for its excellent work done in maintaining the sacred land of the British-, American Cemetery. This year was better than ever, and we would like to extend our especial appreciation to General Coll (JEME) for the support of his personnel in the island. Also to our Vicepresident in Menorca Mr. George Ferrara for his enthusiasm, impeccable presentation and attention to detail on the logistics for this ceremonies, and last but not least to General Alejandre for the tour he gave us of “Blood Islands” La Isla del Rey a must do to incorporate in our future trips, and once again a sample of the tights between our countries, it was an American Naval workshop and store depot dated 1833.
However May events this year started before the Cocktail, we were invited by the Spanish Air Force for a tour of El Museo de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica, although the original project dated back to 1948 a final decision on its current location was not until 1975, being so the Aeródromo de Cuatro Vientos the final home, General Alejandro Mendo took us in an unforgettable flight through history and anecdotes.
The July issue of our magazine will have a special section; “Valientes por Mar y Tierra” and “Semper Fidelis”, with this words we will need no more of an introduction. Sincere thanks to General Chicharro, Comandante General de la Infanteria de Marina for accepting our proposal to write about it and presenting us with the Essence of the Spanish Marines, a Corp with so many hundreds of years of fascinating history. Also to newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gilden “Gracias” for his personal contribution in sharing with all of us his personal experience with the “Infanteria de Marina” during his term in Madrid. We are thrilled for his well deserved promotion and for the fantastic ceremony hold at the Embassy last June 1st . that we were honoured to attend. Congratulations Lt. Col.Gilden! we will definitively miss you in Madrid, you have been instrumental for the continuous success of this Council.
In September we will be back at the NATO Component Command Land HQ Madrid in cooperation with CESEDEN, with thanks to the support and enthusiasm of General Miró and his outstanding staff. This will be a conference members will not want to miss. So mark your calendars for September the 23rd and let´s celebrate the 60th Anniversary of NATO and its 10th year in Madrid, with a spirit of thanks to all the men and women “that go in harms ways to defend our freedom”.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of our past president Tom Denegre, who performed in an outstanding manner in one of the longest presidencies in this Council. Bravo Zulu - Well Done!!!! I am very happy to have him as my Vice-President.
I would also like to thank Molly Long for all the many contributions she has made during her term as Secretary of the Board. She will stay as one of our members and we are very happy for it.
George Mahl, our best known and one of the longest active members in our Council has decided to pass the Membership Chairman duties to Mr. Moore, but we are making sure he will remain active at the Board, he has too much knowledge and wisdom to pass along to the rest of the team. Thank you George for all your continuous support and contributions.
And to the newly formed Board of Directors…. Welcome on Board!!! And full speed ahead.
Dear friends, thank you for supporting the US Navy League and its goals of promoting productive cooperation between Spain and the United States of America.
May God bless you all
Respectfully,
Eva Garcia
The President