United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Team
Spruance
Commanding Officer's
October 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
October 2005
The month of October began brilliantly with an outstanding ship visit to the USS BRADLEY, FFG 49, on October 1st. The Command Master Chief arranged a complete tour from the Bridge to Main Engineering for all of the Cadets and Parents. The highlight of the day was lunch on the Mess Decks with the Crew.
The Color Guard presented our Colors at the International Junior Judo Championships, held at the Broward Convention Center. The Cadets had the honor of escorting the match winners for their Medal Presentations. On Saturday October 8th the Parents Committee rolled up their sleeves and put on a third coat of Navy Grey paint on our HQ building. The Cadets celebrated the Navy’s Birthday on October 13th, at a splendid affair at the Gallery. LCDR Starr represented the Unit at a traditional Mess Night, sponsored by the members of the Marine Corps League. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Spruance Division. A Generous Donation was received from AL and Shelly Stein, and from the Sons of the American Revolution.
Hurricane Wilma wreaked a path of destruction on our area, and many of the Cadet families had structural wind and tree damage, loss of Power and Water, for as long as 15 days. The entire roof was blown off of our Unit HQ, and was laying on the ground, and out into the street. The flagpole was snapped off just above the Base, and fell over the fence, the Air Conditioning Unit on the roof was blown off of its mountings, and our historic 100 year old Anchor was blown off of its supports and was laying against the fence.
Once again, the Parents Committee came to the Rescue! Several parents and Cadets came to the building two days after Wilma’s visit, surveyed the damage, and covered the exposed roof with the famous Blue Tarps, removed all of the computers/office equipment, Cadet Records, Uniforms, pictures, plaques and desk drawers. They moved all of the furniture into a central location and covered them with tarps. Every effort was made so the tragedy experienced when the roof failed and the ceilings caved in would not be repeated.
The Drucker family contacted a roofer working in the local area, and contracted to have the roof sealed and protected immediately and paid the deposit and first payment towards a brand new roof, with the blessings of Carl Hallberg acting for the Council to protect the investment in our building.
The following weekend the Parents, Staff and Cadets moved the AC Unit back on its mounts, fixed the fence, and raised the Anchor back onto its supports. When the roof was sealed, the Parents, Staff, and Cadets worked feverishly to restore everything back to its place and concluded the day with a Pizza Party! We are eternally grateful for the dedication, hard work, and tremendous pride exhibited by the Parents, Cadets, and Staff of Spruance Division.
Respectfully Submitted,
LCDR Alan Starr, USNSCC
Commanding Officer, Team Spruance