Whom We Support

ADOPTED SHIPS 

The Council has adopted three US Navy ships and one Coast Guard ship. The Council provides educational materials and recreational equipment and works with each ship's Ombudsmen to help families of crew members during hardships and to boost morale. Our adopted ships also participate in the “Deployment Dollars” program.

USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) ADOPTION
Following the decommissioning of one of the Council’s adopted ships the USS Nassau (LHA 4) on March 31 2011 the Council adopted the USS Gravely (DDG 107) an Arleigh Burke class destroyer on November 17 2011. The following is a write-up of the adoption ceremony by the Gravely’s Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin.

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk-based USS Gravely (DDG 107) was adopted by the Richmond Navy League Nov. 17 in a ceremony held aboard the ship during an all-hands call.

The Richmond Navy League chose to adopt Gravely because the ships name honors Richmond native Vice Adm. Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr.

Gravely was the first African American to command a U.S. Navy warship, command an American warship under combat conditions, achieve the rank of vice admiral and then admiral, and command a U.S. fleet area of operations.

The ship’s Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Mike Wolner said he looks forward to building a strong partnership with the Richmond Navy League and continuing the legacy of the ship’s namesake.

“The crew is extremely proud, excited and humbled to be adopted by the Richmond Navy League,” said Wolner. “One of the most important things our crew prides itself on is the strong relationships they develop with all of our sponsors and sponsoring organizations.”

During the ceremony, Richmond Navy League Vice President Dave Vachet presented the crew with a plaque and a $500 donation to the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund. The Gravely crew also presented the Navy League with a ship’s plaque.

After the gift exchange, Cmdr. Douglas Kunzman, Gravely’s commanding officer, thanked the league for adopting the ship.

“We are honored to be a part of a bigger family with the Richmond Navy League just as we welcome them into the Gravely family,” said Kunzman. “We will represent the League admirably in the name of Vice Admiral Gravely.”

The Navy League was created in 1902 with the hope of providing the public with information regarding the condition of U.S. naval and maritime forces and encouraging support in all matters which aid maritime capabilities.

USS GRAVELY
http://www.gravely.navy.mil/

 

USS CARTER HALL 
http://www.carter-hall.navy.mil/

 

 

 

 

USS NORMANDY
http://www.normandy.navy.mil/ 

 

 

USCGC NORTHLAND
http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcNorthland/

 

 

 

 

 

 

See "Adopted Ships News" for past events.

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SPONSORED SHIPS

We sponsor a number of ships via our ‘Deployment Dollars” program as and when funds become available and deployment takes place. We have sponsored the USS OAK HILL, USS ASHLAND, USS VELLA GULF, USS WINSTON CHURCHHILL, and the USCGC LEGARE.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

The Council supports seven JROTC units in Henrico and Hanover Counties. Also a scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving member of one of the units.

We also have one of the top rated Sea Cadet programs in the Nation.

For more information, please go to http://www.americadivision.com/

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MY SCHOOL WOULD LIKE TO HELP

“Hello, my name is Charlene Lorenz, and I work at J. B. Watkins  Elementary School. I saw one of your boxes at a local store and thought we could do this at my school.” This was the message Council received back in February 2009.

Following some serious planning by Mrs. Lorenz and the school counselor, Sarah Spencer, boxes were placed in 40 class rooms and for the first two weeks in May students contributed supplies for our “WE CARE” package program---and what a terrific response followed! It required a pick-up truck and two passenger cars to gather up the supplies and transport them to our Navy League office for shipment.

A conservative estimate would place the cash value of the supplies donated by students at over $1,000.00 and will take about 30 boxes (packed full) to ship these supplies overseas to our military. This has been the single best response we have had to replenish our supplies headed overseas!

We salute J. B. Watkins Elementary school, the students, parents, and staff for this very patriotic effort to show support for our military! You may be sure those serving overseas will enjoy all these supplies and, most importantly, will appreciate just being remembered for their service to our country!

The responses from those who receive these “WE CARE”   packages make this a very rewarding experience! Thank you, J. B. Watkins Elementary School!

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CARE PACKAGES

With the participation of Richmond area stores and schools, we have been able to ship donated goods to overseas active duty personnel.

 

     

The many “thank you” notes, emails, and letters from the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines, who have received these boxes, is very rewarding.

 

 

 

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