The Honolulu Council of the Navy League has many wonderful programs, but the one program that offers a unique insight into the military is the Navy League Bridge program.  The purpose of this program is to provide Bridge members not only a better understanding as to how the military function, but the unique requirements and situations that each military service faces, whether it is threats to our national security or the well being of it’s service members and their families.

Monthly briefing sessions by notable military leaders such as ADM Tom Keating, USN, Commander, PACOM; Lt. Gen. John F. Goodman, USMC, Command General, MARFORPAC; and RADM Sally Brice-Ohara, USCG, Commandant, 14th Coast Guard District have provided highly informative and insightful perspectives on many issues that confront our military.  Other events have included a visitation to the C-17 Squadron based on Hickam AFB, tours of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Red Hill fuel storage facilities, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii-Kaneohe; as well as the ever popular tour of visiting aircraft carriers.

The military not only play such a critical role in the security of our country, but has a tremendous impact on our local community.  Whether it is the home porting of ships or basing of units; deployment of units to meet security threats; or restructuring of the services for the ever changing challenges of the 21st century, there are implications to our state from both an economic to a human perspective.  The Bridge provides a forum to better understand these implications.

If you are interested in a membership into the Bridge, please contact Bob McDermott, Executive Director, Honolulu Council of the Navy League at 422-9404 for more information.  We invite you to attend one of our monthly sessions as a guest of the Bridge.

Melvin H. W. Ing