NEWS ARCHIVE
SEA CADETS FALL KICKOFF DRILL
The Naval Station Mayport Sea Cadets kicked off their fall drill season on August 23rd. The day started with morning colors around the newly installed flagpole at the unit's house on the base. The Unit welcomed back 13 cadets returning from last year, and 4 recruits attended the drill as a "try it" day to learn more about the Sea Cadet program. We also used the day as an open house recruiting event to encourage new cadets and families to join the program and five interested families attended drill.
The morning was packed with information for parents and Chief Petty Officer Harnek and Midshipman Ingle led the Cadets in drill exercises and PT. The morning also included an information session about the Naval Orders annual essay contest, presented to the cadets by Dr. Murphy and Captain Froehlich. A BBQ lunch followed, and after some additional drill exercise in the afternoon, and PT, the day concluded by retiring the colors and a formal dismissal. For the most part, the weather cooperated, and everyone had a great first day back.
The next drill is 6 September, and leadership has a full drill schedule planned throughout December.
MILITARY MONDAYS
"Military Mondays - Dinner to Go" is Back! After a 3-month respite, the program resumes on September 8th from 3-5 pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Mayport Road. The program break was due to a concern for keeping the food fresh in the summer afternoon heat, volunteer healthiness working in the heat, and military families taking summer vacations with schools closed. Hence, the temperatures are manageable, schools are open, and it is September, so we are BACK!
The Military Mondays- Dinner to Go is a Mayport Navy League food program designed to support our military and their families before the 15th of the month payday when funds are low. This program is community supported to boost morale by distributing healthy food to support our Active Duty and their families assigned to Naval Station Mayport. Monthly, Service members and their families with ID card scan join a car line to pick-up prepared dinners. In the spring, Jersey Mikes made the meals and now Chick-Fil-A is providing the meals through the support of a MOAA Grant.
If interested in participating in this special program, email Tim Jenkins at
radmjenkins@yahoo.com .
PATRIOT DAY AT NS MAYPORT...
Patriot Day is a National Day of Remembrance that commemorates the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania. The day also recognizes the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, as well as their silence of the American people in the face of such a tragedy. Patriot Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and unity, as the nation comes together to remember those who were lost and to honor those who continue to serve and protect.
Captain Michael Trumbull, Commanding Officer, Naval Station Mayport, and Commander Tellis Fears, Executive Officer will honor the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Naval Station Mayport on September 11, 2025, at 8 am. The ceremony will take place in front of Building 1 flagpole with firetrucks, base police, Chiefs and Chief Selects in formation. Attendees are asked to arrive around 0730 where the ceremony will officially kick off just before morning colors. Local TV stations will attend and will be shown later in the day. Best parking is either in our Building 1 parking lot or directly across the street in Navy Federal Credit Union/Post Office lot.
It will be a time to honor the victims, support those who continue to suffer from the effects of the attacks and reaffirm the values of resilience and unity that define the nation.
JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY
The Jacksonville University NROTC Special Warfare Club develops midshipmen interested in the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) pipeline, aiming to become U.S. Navy SEALs and EOD operators. They conduct pool evolutions that demand water confidence, track workouts that sharpen performance, beach rucks and runs that build endurance, and weight sessions that harden both body and mind. Their focus is on building both physical and mental strength.
What sets them apart is not just the training, it is the brotherhood. They push together, suffer together, and grow together. They do not just build athletes; they build leaders who are disciplined, resilient, and committed to serving at the highest level. Their most recent evolution was a 100-mile race, which took 26 hours to complete.
MILITARY MONDAYS
On September 8th, 2025, the MMDTG was scheduled with a starting time of 3pm; however with the
threatening weather, once the team was ready, the food distribution began. The intermittent rain,
strong gusts, and dark clouds did not deter the military and their families from joining the carline.
The carline was very active with families rushing to get their meals before the heavy rain began. With
only 17 Chick-Fil-A meals remaining and no one in the carline, the deluge began. The volunteers shared the
remaining meals and then quickly and safely returned to their cars.
Special thanks to the volunteers that braved the weather: Chet Davis, Carol Smith, Cindy Tomlin, Ann Bell,
Mike Marchetti, Tom Atkins, Isobel Spink, Pat Kluever, George Huchting, Brian Kennedy, Tim Jenkins,
Theresa Trumbull, Erin Sardiello, and Barbara Ives.
USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) ARRIVAL
The USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) arrived at Naval Station Mayport on Sunday 13 July 2025. Navy League volunteers were there to meet and greet the crew and hand out flags.
The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) returned to its homeport at Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida, on July 13, 2025, following an eight-month deployment in the Mediterranean and Red Sea supporting Naval Forces combat operations.
Highlights of the deployment include over 60,000 nautical miles, with 18 port visits in collaboration with NATO and regional partners. The operational tempo was high with a full-spectrum of missions across US 5th and 6th Fleet areas, including missile launches and supporting freedom-of-navigation patrols. Over 300 sailors, many on their first deployment, faced extended time at sea and operational pressures. The Commanding Officer is quoted saying, "We experienced it together... And we all came home together."
Our Mayport Navy League supporters provided literally hundreds of US flags to an impressively large crowd of families and friends on the pier to Welcome Home their crew, to include a family member of the Sullivans brothers - Kelly Sullivan, who flew from Iowa for this great moment!
The Mayport Navy Leaguers that supported this special occasion were the lead: Ryan Tillotson, Brian Kennedy, Andy and Mary Ellen Granuzzo, Wayne Dietel and George Huchting.
"This support of families and friends welcoming their ship and crew home NEVER GETS OLD!" Brian Kennedy, MNL Past President.
Naval Station Mayport Change of Command
Naval Station Mayport held its official Change of Command ceremony on July 10, 2025, at 10am in the Base Fitness Center.
Captain Brian A. Bender, the outgoing Base Commander, who led Mayport for three years and oversaw almost 190,000 mishap-free flight and docking operations, support for over 2,300 vessels (US and Allied), and the Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.
Captain Michael P. Trumbull assumed command. He brings extensive operational experience as an enlisted as a Gunner's Mate and later a commissioned Naval Flight Officer. He has held positions in P 3C/P 8A patrol squadrons, USS John Hancock, USS Ronald Reagan, VP One, staff at US 7th Fleet and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Mayport is a key strategic hub. Home to the Fourth Fleet/US Naval Forces Southern Command headquarters and Commander Naval Surface Group Southeast. Naval Station Mayport, part of Navy Region Southeast under Commander Naval Installations Command, is the third-largest fleet concentration area in the continental US, with facilities supporting up to 34 ships and an 8,000 ft runway for DoD aircraft. A smooth leadership transition ensures continued support for fleet operations, emergency response, and regional readiness.
Mayport Sea Cadets Summer Training
On June 21, 2025 the Mayport Sea Cadets, under the leadership of Commanding Officer Ronald Harnek, traveled to Starke, Florida for summer training at Camp Blanding. Upon arrival at the training camp, the new cadets completed personnel and medical check-ins and a seabag check. Afterwards, the cadets were transported by bus to their assigned barracks. Once settled, the cadets were grouped into their respective training companies and marched to the chow hall for noon chow.
Training group Southeast 01 is located at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in Starke, Florida and facilitates Sea Cadet trainings across Florida. The training group instills the values of discipline, accountability, and teamwork in a safe environment.
USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) Departure
The ship departed Naval Station Mayport on June 21, 2025 embarking on a regularly scheduled deployment as part of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Carrier Strike Group. It has been confirmed that the ship will be assigned to US European Command (EUCOM) waters for a 9-month deployment.
USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) Arrival
The USS Jason Dunham returned home on June 8, 2025 after a 9-month deployment, operating in US 5th and 6th Fleets (Middle East and Europe). The missions included Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), freedom of navigation patrols, and multinational exercises.
The ship is equipped with the AEGIS Combat System (ACS) and is capable of a variety of missions including Anti-Air, Anti-Subsurface, and Anti-Surface Warfare (AAW, ASW, and ASuW).
The ship motto is "Semper Fidelis, Semper Fortis" (Always Faithful, Always Strong).
The ship has a complement of over 300 Sailors and was welcomed home by over 700 family members with waving American Flags.
Mayport Council Navy League Social
On Thursday, July 17, 2025 MNL hosted a Social at Mavi for our membership at 5:30 pm.
There was a nice gathering with a new member in attendance.
After a cocktail hour, the speaker,
Commander Fred Burley USN (ret), Deputy Director of the Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department, was
introduced. Fred Burley discussed many subjects involving Veteran Benefits with a focus on medical and
death benefit concerns. Fred provided helpful information and addressed all questions. Then, dinner was
served.
2024 FOOD FARMACY
With the closure USO Mayport Center, the Commanding Officer of Naval Station Mayport recognized a significant need for food assistance for military families still existed. He reached out to the City of Jacksonville's (COJ) Military Affairs and Veteran's Department (MAVD) to see what could be done to help service members regain support in their fight against food insecurity.
COJ/MAVD pulled together a team consisting of Catholic Charities, BEAM, and Humana Military under Feeding Northeast Florida to start Food Farmacy events in the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) parking lot on Mayport Road.
Starting in early 2024, these events are held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. MOAA Foundation supported Historic Mayport Chapter with a $5,000 grant in 2024, and Vystar supported Mayport Navy League with a $12,000 grant in 2024 for Food Farmacy.
Using grant funds and donations, these two organizations coordinate to provide $25 commissary gift cards to young enlisted families at each Food Farmacy event to help buy supplies needed to prepare and serve the food that is provided by the Feeding Northeast Florida team.
Fleet Landing residents and MOAA Chapter member also donate generously to Food Farmacy through Historic Mayport Chapter and Mayport Navy League.
SUPPORT PLAN: In coordination with Naval Station Mayport and COJ/MAVD, MOAA and Navy League will provide at least twenty $25 Commissary gift cards ($500) at each event during 2024 and early 2025. The team doubled up during back to school (August 2024), and will double up during the holidays (November-December 2024), and also during back to school in January 2025. Even when we are able to double up to 40 cards, we run out of gift cards well before the typical line of cars with 150 families are served. We will continue to look for grant funds from businesses and organizations, and we appreciate all the donations from Fleet Landing residents and Chapter members.
DONATIONS: Cash, check, or $25 commissary cards (marked to Food Farmacy donation) can be sent to Pat Kluever at 116 Fleet Landing Blvd, Atlantic Beach, Fl 32233
VOLUNTEERS: To sort and hand out food, sign up on line at these events
"feedingnefl.org" - scroll down and select "volunteer" - next page select "Volunteer Now" - next page, on left select "Dashboard" - next page select "Mobile Food Distribution for Mayport Military Families" - select a shift to volunteer.
VyStar Foundation Awards Grants to
On 24 June 2024, the Mayport Navy League Council was awarded a $20,000 grant from Vystar Foundation to support our Mayport Sailors with either quarterly dinners or bimonthly commissary food gift cards at the Food Farmacy.
The awardees were from organizations throughout Florida. We are very honored to have been selected.
As we support this all-volunteer effort with food for Sailors, feel proud of the part you will play in this upcoming year to help our Sailors and their families, and support our Naval Station Mayport.
VyStar Foundation distributed $201,551 among 12 nonprofits in its third grant cycle focused on organizations that support military and veterans service programs. Specific funding priority was given to programs that address health and basic needs, mental health services and workforce development.
TP HS NJROTC Roosevelt Youth Medal and MNL Scholarship Award 2024
On the evening of Thursday, 11 April 2024, proud parents and community supporters gathered at the Jacksonville Terry Parker High School auditorium to join the Terry Parker High School NJROTC cadets and staff for their annual awards ceremony. The ceremony is divided into two parts - the first part is the recognition of outstanding NJROTC cadets by various civic organizations followed by recognition of various cadets for their outstanding achievements within the NJROTC unit and its activities.
Cadet/LCDR Smith and her family record the proud moment in the school's courtyard dedicated to students who have lost their lives.
Your Mayport Navy League annually presents the Navy League Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal to an outstanding cadet selected by the NJROTC unit's Senior Naval Instructor. The Mayport Navy League also presents a $500.00 Scholarship check to a cadet selected by the Senior Naval Instructor. This year the selectee for both the Theodore Roosevelt Youth medal and the $500 Scholarship check was Cadet/LCDR Ivyanna Smith - pictured below with Mayport Navy League Board Member, George Huchting, making the presentations. Cadet/LCDR Smith is planning on going on to college to study Criminal Justice.
Huchting comments that each year he has attended this awards ceremony, he is truly impressed by the conduct, bearing and quality of the cadets - and their sense of caring and pride in their accomplishments as well as the accomplishments of their fellow cadets!
It is interesting to note that of the about 10 different organizations that present some sort of award - your Mayport Navy League Council is the only one which provides a Scholarship check each year. We truly do make a difference in peoples lives thanks to the support of our Mayport Navy Leaguers and our community partners!
USS Carney (DDG 64) Returns to Homeport
Mayport Navy League volunteers joined hundreds of other Navy families and community to welcome home the USS Carney (DDG 64) on 19 May 2024. The ship was returning from a long deployment which included combat operations in the Red Sea. Caney arrived on a sunny day to be greeted not only her families, there was even a wading pool for kids. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and the Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro were present to award the ship and its crew the Navy Unit Commendation.
"I am incredibly proud of my team for their performance throughout this deployment," said CDR Jeremy Robertson, Carney's Commanding Officer. "No matter the challenge, our crew was ready and demonstrated incredible professionalism, proficiency, and flexibility. Our missions required focus and grit, and the crew leaned on each other and took care of each other, as we will continue to do."
Memorial Day - 27 May 2024
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Jacksonville Beaches
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall, Downtown
Marine Corps Wreaths Navy Wreath with Mayport Navy League President Captain Whitkop Merchant Marine Wreath with Mayport Navy Leaguer and Merchant Mariner CDR Charlie Sellers
VyStar Foundation Awards Grants to
Thanks to a generous grant from the Vystar Credit Union, Mayport Navy League is sponsoring a new program of "food to go" assistance for active duty military families. On the first Monday of the next three months, boxed sandwich dinners from Jersey Mike's will be provided. Meals will be available for drive-by pick up through the courtesy of nearby St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church. Hence the name of "Military Mondays - Dinner To Go".
USS BASILONE (DD 122) ARRIVAL
The USS John Basilone (DDG 122) arrived at Naval Station Mayport on Sunday 24 November 2024. Navy League volunteers were there to meet and greet the crew and hand out flags.
May 2022 - World War II Mariners Awarded
American Merchant Mariners who served during World War II were awarded the Congressional gold medal during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Ten WWII veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine were in attendence to accept the gold medal award on behalf of all U.S. Merchant Mariners of World War II and the approximately 1,500 living veterans.
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RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 PLATINUM MACKIE AWARD FOR OUR WEBSITE
