Commanding Officer's
June 05 Report

Unit Headquarters:
300 SW 25th Street
P.O. Box 21101
Fort Lauderdale
Florida 33335-1101
954-522-8995

E-Mail:
info@flseacadets.org

To:      All Hands                                                                                 Subject:  Monthly Report

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

June 2005

The Spruance Division held our Annual Awards Banquet at Tropical Acres Restaurant, on Sunday afternoon, June 5, 2005. Special guests included Joyce and Mack Madzinsky, President and Treasurer of our sponsors, the Ft Lauderdale Council NLUS; LCDR Mike Stewart, the X.O. of  the Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutter Valiant; LTJG Carlos Crespo, the X.O. of Coast Guard Station Ft Lauderdale; LCOL Connie Christiansen, USA Nurse Corps Ret.; Joe Motes representing the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Marine Corps League; and new presenters from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Daughters of the Confederacy. We had a tremendous show of support from FT Lauderdale Council Navy Leaguers. Chief Balcunas was awarded the Thomas Clarke Memorial Sea Cadet of the Year Award; Brandon Murray was awarded the Fred Topper Memorial League Cadet of the Year Award; LTJG Leibowitz received the Lou Besterda Memorial Officer of the Year Award; Mrs. Linda Williams was awarded the Lou Besterda Memorial Instructor of the Year Award. Chief Balcunas was presented his Appointment to the US Coast Guard Academy from LCDR Stewart, USCG.

Petty Officer Jessica Vance was appointed to Petty Officer First Class and received the Unit Guide On from Chief Balcunas as a symbol of the change of responsibility from the Chief to PO Vance, as the new Unit Senior Cadet Leading Petty Officer. PO Vance has also been accepted as the only female Cadet to attend the National Summer Foreign Exchange Program, to St. Petersburg, Russia. She has also been accepted at the US Naval Academy Summer Program and the US Coast Guard Academy Summer Program. PO Tim Nasta has been accepted for the US Air Force Academy Summer Program, and the US Coast Guard Academy Summer Program. PO Williams, PO Yager, and PO Rueda were selected to attend the Summer Exchange Program with the Canadian Navy Sea Cadet Program, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. All of the Cadets received recognition for their hard work and dedication throughout the entire year. Special recognition to Mr. and Mrs. Leo and Barbara Greenfield for hosting this great event, and to all of our special friends from the Ft Lauderdale Council for their financial support and the support of our outstanding Cadets.

The Spruance Division was recognized by our National HQ for the Unit having the most number of Advancements to Seaman/E-3 in the Nation (19 Cadets). The award was accepted by Pat Dumont at the National Navy League Convention in Norfolk. We had an outstanding briefing on Terrorism, from an FBI Special Agent, and a visit from the Command Master Chief and two Chiefs from the USS Halsey, who just arrived in Port Everglades on the way to their new home port in San Diego and Commissioning Ceremony. The Cadets were treated to the annual inter-coastal luncheon cruise onboard the Lady Lucille, organized by Captain and Mrs. Fink with support from our many friends. We ended the month with our Beach PT Program with the “Health Colonel,” LCOL Bob Weinstein, USAR Ret., who runs a weekly fitness program on Ft Lauderdale Beach.

Respectfully Submitted,
LCDR Alan Starr, USNSCC
Commanding Officer, Team Spruance

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