President's Letter

PRESIDENT´S LETTER 2010

Dear Navy Leaguers and Friends;

January 2010 starts with the Spanish European Union Presidency.

The Treaty of Lisbon has marked a new time for the history of the EU’s common foreign, security and defense policy. In January 2010 Spain will put it into practice and will be contributing to its implementation. The lines of action will be guided by: innovation and equality.

one of the Objectives of the presidency, it is a comprehensive approach to the maritime security in Europe where many initiatives have been born within both the civil and military agencies and organizations. More detailed information is on the articles provided respectively by SEGENPOL´s office from the Ministry of Defense and the Spanish Navy by Radm Ruesta. “The sea has a deep strategic significance for Spain. Our coasts are skirted by major sea lines of communications which link Europe with America and Africa through the Mediterranean and the Atlantic”

The Madrid Council of the USNL is turning 45, we are very proud of each one of the years dedicated to support the relationships of our two countries Armed Forces and we are very thankful for the friendships developed during this process.

We are closing the year with a list of exciting celebrations, the 60^th anniversary of NATO and the 10^th Anniversary of CCLand Nato Hq. Madrid was an outstanding event that we will keep in our memory, it was a honorable participation on the history of this wonderful country. To Commander Miró and its professional and kind staff, Thank You for your friendship and trust and for allowing us to contribute and support such a memorable celebration.

ISDEFE is turning 25 and we would like to congratulate them on their successful career and on the many contributions made to the Spanish Defense Industry and its Ministry.

Another 25^th Anniversary. It was the year 1984, via the efforts of President Guy Newland (Deceased) an annual July trip was begun to the Armada’s Naval Academy in Marin for their graduation exercises, always attended by King Juan Carlos, or Prince Felipe. At this ceremony the “First in Class” top graduate is presented with the Council’s Sword of Honor plus a trip to the US for a one week visit. Hosted by the Baltimore and Hampton Roads Navy League Councils he is given tours of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Washington, DC and the Norfolk Naval Base. This Annual Event has done much to foster friendship with the Armada and, especially, with the prize winner who may someday be a flag office responsible for decisions that affect our two countries, this and much more is part of the article presented in this issue, making a fascinating trip from our origins in Madrid in 1965 until the recent days.

The fourth conference of the Navy League of the United States European Region was held September 17 - 20, 2009 in the Italian historical maritime city of Naples. I would like to thank Admiral Fitzgerald for receiving me in his headquarters upon arrival and for allowing us to enjoy the coast of Naples with part of his team. During this visit I have a chance to thank him for his support to the event at NATO Retamares and to give him a quick overview on the many activities we do in Madrid. Thanks again Admiral for taking the time on your busy schedule to personally meet me and most importantly for your participation on the Sept. 23^rd conference in Madrid.

In Naples I also had the opportunity of meeting Dan Branch, the new and 45^th National President for the US Navy League, Dan is a retired career naval officer with over 30 years of service and with an impressive an extensive Curriculum, interestingly enough he had a professional experience in Europe, In NATO HQ in Brussels, Belgium, he was Senior Staff Officer, SACLANT Representative Europe with nuclear weapons policy, and nuclear and conventional weapons arms control responsibilities. Congratulations Dan, we will be looking forward to seeing you in Madrid in June.

Admiral Palomino took us on a fascinating flight, at our September dinner, through the history of the Harriers in Spain and that same night we were honored to also have Fred Moosally, from Lockheed Martin on his last trip to Spain as President of Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2.). We have been informed that the new President is Orlando Carvalho a great supporter also of our Council and a well known professional by Industry and the Spanish Navy in Spain. Our most sincere congratulations Orlando.

At Our November dinner, last one of the year, we had the privilege to count with the participation of General Coll, JEME (Chief of the Army), as the guest of honor. It was the first time we have the Chief of the Army at one of our dinners and we certainly hope it will not be the last one. Thank you for your detailed presentation and for allowing us making it public in this issue, and like always thank you for your support on matters related to our “piece of heart” in the Island of Menorca, the English American Cemetery in Mahon.

Last but not least, we are thrilled with the generous contribution made by NAVANTIA, by becoming a Platinum Sponsor, we are looking forward to continuing this relationship, as we do with our two other Platinum Sponsors Lockheed Martin and INDRA, without your support the objectives and mission of the Madrid Council may not have been a reality.

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.

My best wishes to you for the New Year.

Respectfully,

Eva Garcia

June 2009

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 28^th, 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 1^st. 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 23^rd and let´s celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of NATO and its 10^th 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

Warm wishes for the Holidays

Dear Fellow Members,

In the absence of a Dinner when I would be able to tell you in person, I am writing to congratulate you all on a very successful 2007. I think we can all be proud of what we have accomplished.

Beyond our traditional Gala Ball and May Cocktail Party, we have added two Corporate Members, EDS and INDRA, and hosted a Symposium at NATO Madrid headquarters in Retamares celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of Spain’s membership in NATO; the latter thanks to Vice President Eva Garcia. NLUS has posted news of it under Council News on their web page: http://www.navyleague.org/.

Thanks to Second Vice President George Ferrara our Admiral Farragut and Mahon Cemetery ceremonies in Menorca once again enjoyed the US Navy’s support that has been missing for years.

With the reportage of the Symposium and the 80^th anniversary of the Buque Escuela “Juan Sebastian de Elcano” we have been able to publish a second issue of our Magazine. Between issues our new web page keeps us current and up to date on our activities

And not to be forgotten, the US Navy League, National, awarded us the “Meritorious Council Award” in recognition of all our hard work. Again, I say “Well Done!”

So, with 2007 rapidly drawing to a close I want to wish you and your families a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and best wishes for a Happy New Year in 2008.

May God bless and watch over us all.

Tom Denegre

President's Letter for 2006

Dear Fellow Members,

Our 2006-2007 Year started off with the award of our Sword of Honor to the Top Cadet at the Naval Academy in Marin at his graduation followed directly by our recognition of him with the assistance of our Padron, Captain Kevin Little, at our July Dinner Meeting. The next day we sent him off to our fellow Councils in Baltimore and Norfolk who hosted him with visits to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, DC and various Naval facilities in the Norfolk-Newport area.

In September, several of our Directors attended a Barcelona conference of the European Navy League Councils, convened by US National President John Panneton. Suffice it to say that the presentation of what Madrid and Menorca accomplish each year with the breadth of their activities presented an example for all the other Councils to follow.

The Internet Web Page and Newsletter our Member Maire Claire Pfeifer has put in place, not only warrants a Bravo Zulu, but was one of the star presentations at the Barcelona Conference which was looking for a web page to serve all the Councils.

Our October Gala Ball was beholden to Spain’s Supreme Military Commanding Officer, General Felix Sanz Roldan for taking time out of his busy schedule to pass by and share his well chosen words regarding the mutual support and “Amistad” that exists between Spain and the US. It can be no coincidence that the date was the 211^th anniversary of the first treaty between our two countries. The then Minister of Defense, Jose Bono gifted us a copy of this Treaty when he spoke to us in January of 2006

How great to have our Corporate Membership Logos on display that evening! We are constantly thankful to Lockheed Martin España and General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas for their support and the guests they introduce to us at our Meetings. By the time you read this we expect to have added EDS as a second Gold Corporate Member. Thank you.

Our Guest Speakers we feature later in this issue, but suffice it to say that the quality and breadth of what they bring to our meetings is rapidly making us one of the most popular speaker bureaus in Madrid, Membership input and suggestions for the future are both welcome and encouraged. Your input makes this Council the success it is.

We owe a very special thanks to Admiral Harry Ulrich, CINUSNAVEUR, for requesting the opportunity to speak to us. What a fabulous insight he gave us to the timely and urgent matters of terrorism on the high seas via commercial shipping vessels, Spain’s essential contribution to its monitoring, terrorism operating of Africa, and treatment of immigration issues. Above all else we are thrilled with his completion of a promise to reinitiate and maintain future Sixth Fleet support to our preservation of the American Cemetery in Mahon.

I personally want to commend our Second Vice President representing Menorca, George Ferrara, for his unstinting endeavors not only with Admiral Ulrich and his staff, but with the Spanish Military and Political Authorities in the Balearics for their contribution to the American Cemetery preservation One has to go back almost 20 years to find the kind of support his has generated, A rousing “Well Done”, George

Our May Cocktail Reception returns to the US Ambassador’s Residence. The Honorable Eduardo Aguirre has been a great supporter of our Council and we most appreciate his taking time to attend our Admiral Ulrich Dinner. His DCM Hugo Llorens was there as well and is coming to appreciate the People to People aspect and importance of what we achieve through most all of our activities, as did his predecessor Bob Manzanares. We look forward to working even closer with him in the future.

Again we are hosting the Sailor of the Year in Spain at the May Cocktail. We understand he may well be the Sailor of the Year for the entire US Navy so very much look forward to his attendance, and perhaps some comments on Today’s Navy.

A very welcome change to the make up of our Board of Directors has been the increasing number of Spaniards, which also reflects the ever increasing number in our membership. This is not only healthy but opens other avenues for us to follow in ever improving what we do. Both the past and current Commanding Officers of the NATO Group in Remates have now been present at a number of our affairs, as have the Commandante and his Second in Command of the Spanish Marines. Hopefully these will attract the Army and Air Force components of both our nations.

Repeating what I said the last time “Land locked as our Council is, I hope you will continue to help your Board in their efforts to think “outside of the box” in giving benefit to ALL our US Military (and I now add NATO) services and their endeavors within our very special host county, Spain.” Thank you.

Highest regards,

Thomas B. Denegre, III

President