NAVY LEAGUE GOLF, it is fun and it helps others.

In recent years, the Navy League’s golf program has not only continued to gain in public popularity, but has been a significant financial resource to help fund the many invaluable programs that support the men and women of our Sea Serices - Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine.  Programs such as Sea Cadets, Navy-Marine Relief, Enlisted Person of the Year, and Toys for Tots have been supported in the past by the profits from the Navy League’s golf program.  By year’s end, the program over the last five years would have raised approximately $100,000, as well as hundreds of toys for the Toys for Tots program.  Of course, all this would not have been possilbe without the many golfers who play in the tournaments; the generous sponsors who provide financial support; and the many volunteers who willingly give their time and effort to ensure a successful tournament.

We continually strive to make the golf program a success.  We encourage golfers to participate in our tournaments as we play on military golf courses, which are not readily available to the general public.  We are constantly looking for sponsors that will enable us to provide the financial support for the Navy League’s programs.  Lastly, we encourage individuals to volunteer their time to help make these tournaments such an enjoyable experience for the golfers.

The next golf tournament is the 5th Annual Golf Tournament which will be held on Friday, August 22nd at the Klipper Golf Course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii-Kaneohe.  For those that have never played the course, it has probably the most spectacular hole on any military golf course.  For those that have played the course, you know it as Hole #13, which is along the ocean.  This major tournament will include lunch, buffet dinner, on-course refreshments, and many, many prizes.  ADM Thomas B. Fargo, USN (ret.) has graciously consented to be our Honorary Chairperson.  If you would like to be involved, please contact the Navy League’s office at 422-9404.

The men and women who serve in our Sea Services and their families deserve our support and to know we appreciate their sacrifices.  To the many golfers, gracious sponsors, and wonderful volunteers, a special MAHALO!  The Honolulu Council of the Navy League asks for your continued support so we can help those that serve our great nation.

Melvin H. W. Ing

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