History

In the early years of the 20th Century, President Theodore Roosevelt recognized that there was a need for a civilian organization to speak on behalf of the Navy.  Accordingly, he encouraged a group of like-minded New Yorkers to establish an organization dedicated to the support of the sea services.  That organization became the Navy League of the United States, which has evolved into a national organization with branches throughout the United States. The New York Council is the regional entity that carries on the work of the founders in their homeport.

The need for civilian support of the sea services remains just as pressing today as it was over 100 years ago.  History teaches that the nation is at its most vulnerable when the sea services are in decline and with budgetary pressures over the last decade the Fleet has shrunk from nearly 600 ships to less than 300.   Furthermore, the sea services are now going through the process of transforming themselves so as to be better able to meet the threats posed by international terrorism.  Last, and perhaps most importantly, American sailors and Marines are serving in combat today.  It is thus crucial that the public be educated about the work of the sea services, that an organization advocate their cause, and that the people serving in those services receive the support and recognition they deserve.

New York has long been a naval center.  The first United States submarine fought here during the Revolutionary War.  U.S.S. MONITOR, the famous Civil War ironclad was built in Brooklyn, New York, as was the legendary battleship U.S.S. MISSOURI (BB 63).  Indeed, the last New York-built (Brooklyn Navy Yard) capital ship, U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CV 64) only left the active fleet in 2003.  Moreover, New York has always been a great commercial port from the days of the great transatlantic ocean liners to today’s cruise ships.

Today, New York’s stake in national defense is clearer than ever.  New York has seen firsthand what our enemies can do.      

The New York Council affords its approximately 2,000 members many ways of supporting the sea services.  Members can attend luncheons and receptions where senior military officers speak on topics of interest.  There are opportunities for special tours of Navy and Coast Guard ships.  Members also receive The Log, the Council’s publication, which reports on the sea services from a New York perspective.  Thus, members have the opportunity to learn about today’s sea services and to interact with those who are serving today. 

For those seeking more active involvement, members can participate in the various formal programs described below.
          
Under the Council’s Adopted Ships Program, the Council forms a special relationship with a particular ship or military unit and provides ongoing morale and family support to those entities.  For example, the Adopted Ships Committee regularly organizes and funds recreational events such as lunches, dinners, and holiday parties for the crews of its adopted ships.  It also secures tickets to Broadway shows and to television programs for sailors and Marines who are visiting New York.  The Committee has also arranged for internships for crew members with civilian organizations in order to provide opportunities for the crew members to enhance their skills.  Council members visit the ships where they interact with the crews.  In addition, the Council provides recognition by reporting the units activities and achievements in The Log.  Currently, the Council has adopted the Los Angles-class submarines  U.S.S. DALLAS (SSN 700), U.S.S. SPRINGFIELD (SSN 761), and U.S.S. SAN JUAN (SSN 751) as well as SUBMARINE GROUP TWO and the U.S. Coast Guard's Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) 91106.

To help cultivate young people’s interest in the sea, the Council sponsors three Sea Cadet units and two NJROTC units.  The cadets are from the New York Metropolitan area and range in age from 11 to 17 years old.  They have monthly meetings under the supervision of adult members and for other occasions such as field trips and parades.  Past special events have included spending a weekend onboard U.S.S. SAIPAN (LPA 2) and a field trip to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 

Higher education is becoming increasingly important in today’s society while at the same time, the cost of such education is sky rocketing.  In order to help ensure that the families of those who serve are not closed out, the Council provides university scholarships to young people whose parents are from the New York Metropolitan area  and who have served or are currently serving in the sea services. (Link to scholarship page).  In addition to scholarships which may be used at any university, the Council makes grants to the State University of New York Maritime College and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

The Council also funds a number of educational and cultural programs including: the Marine Corps University Professional Reading Program, the Naval War College Visiting Lecture Series, and the Coast Guard Art Program.  In addition, the Council is one of the sponsors of the Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt Naval History Prize, which is awarded to the author of the outstanding scholarly book on naval history published each year.

In addition to these formal programs, the Council provides support to the sea services when opportunities present themselves.  For example, the Council recently purchased $10,000 worth of long distance phone cards for distribution to sailors and Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Council also encourages corporations to support the sea services.  Each year the Council holds a black-tie Anniversary Dinner at which the Council recognizes the role business plays in supporting the sea services.  Awards are given for leadership in industry, achievement in science, outstanding work in the media, and to the civilian ship that performed the most extraordinary rescue at sea during the past year. 

Past dinner chairmen have included: Robert V. LaPenta, President and Chief Financial Officer of L-3 Communications Corporation; Nicholas D. Chabraja, Chairman of the Board and CEO of General Dynamincs; and Philip M. Condit, Chairman of the Boeing Company. 

Award winners have included: Mark S. Newman, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of DRS Technologies Inc.; William Swanson, CEO and President of Raytheon Corporation; C. Michael Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of Hughes Electronics; Dr. William Baker, President of NET Broadcasting Corporation; Jack Jacobs, analyst for the NBC networks. 

Keynote speakers have included: Senator John McCain of Arizona; Admiral Vernon E. Clark, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; General James L. Jones, Jr., USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps; and Admiral James M. Loy, USCG, Commandant of the Coast Guard. 

Learn more about the Navy Leagues's history at the national web site.