Coast Guardsman of the Year Awarded to SK2 Rodriguez, USCG in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba By Broward County Council Past Presidents

Past Presidents, SCPO Alan Starr USN Ret. and Capt. Bill Weiler USN Ret. of the Broward County, FL Council of the Navy League of the United States presented the Coast Guardsman of the Year Award to Coast Guardsman SK2 Carlos Rodriguez representing Coast Guard Air Station, Miami.

It is a Broward County, Fl Council adopted unit. Carlos is on air station special detachment to Guantanamo Bay where he is responsible for ensuring that all aircraft missions into “Gitmo” including the special relief mission to Haiti, receive the parts and equipment necessary to complete their mission. Carlos competed against twelve candidates for the award.

The three factors that weighted most in the competition were community service, military bearing and professional development. Chief Storekeeper Cory Sidlo, the USCG AVDET supervisor said. “Rodriguez is motivated and reliable.”

The Twentieth Annual Fort Lauderdale

Fleet Week Busy and Exciting for Community

By Bob Hein

The rain and the wind gusts made entry into Port everglades challenging for the Navy ships but Monday morning they all safely arrived and the Twentieth Annual Fort Lauderdale Fleet Week officially commenced. The weather cleared and the All Hands Party at the Hard Rock Seminole Café, Paradise Village was a great success.

Ship tours for prearranged groups, including a large number of local area students, began on Tuesday morning and continued throughout the week. The tours were conducted by crew members of the ships who were assisted by volunteers from the Broward County Council, other area Navy Leagues and Broward Navy Days.

Crew members not on duty took part in numerous community relations events, including visits to local schools, hospitals, and convalescent care facilities, while 30 Sailors spent 3 days assisting with a Habitat for Humanity project.  It wasn’t all work…there was a golf tournament, athletic and damage control competitions, and numerous opportunities to enjoy local area attractions which included a fishing tournament, shopping trips, airboat rides and complimentary rides on the Jungle Queen.

On Tuesday evening, a Junior Officers Party that has become “Famous Fleet Wide” was held at Briny Riverfront Irish Pub at Las Olas Riverfront.  Briny is a Community Affiliate of the Broward County Navy League. The owners, Mike and Aileen Brennen are the event’s traditional sponsor, As usual they did an outstanding job of hosting more then 150 Junior Officers as well as Navy Leaguers and local citizens. There was complementary food, drink, music and dancing.  A Chief Petty Officers Party sponsored by the CPOA was held at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club, and was also very successful.

On Wednesday, the various ships and the submarine hosted the Celebrity Chef’s Luncheon, an event were local area chef’s prepare lunch for the commanding officer, selected crew members, and invited guests, in the respective wardrooms.  That evening, “Hit the Beach” parties for tthe crews were held at various locations throughout the beach area. The Boca Raton Council of the Navy League held a Sailor of the Year party for our guest ships .

The ships and units participating in  Fleet Week were:

USS Iwo Jima               LPH-7         Assault Ship

USS Independence     LCS-2          The Navy’s newest ship

USS Porter                      DDG-78       Destroyer

USS Newport News        SSN-750      Submarine

USS Halyburton             FFG-40        Frigate

FGS Hessen F-221          German Frigate

USCGC  Key Biscayne  WPB-1339  Coast Guard Cutter

Naval Beach Group Two

Second Marine Division, USMC

Thursday night, April 29. the FGS Hessen, the German Frigate, held a reception aboard ship. It turned out to be far more than just a reception. CDR. Dirk Gaertner FGRN and his crew held one of the finest reception in memory. It turned out to be a full  meal of German food from horderves to dessert. The food was fantastic and the drinks were great, particularly the beer.

Stars were shining brightly above Friday evening’s onboard reception on the USS Iwo Jima.  More then 1000 invited guests shared in the goodwill exhibited by our Navy during Fort Lauderdale’s Fleet Week 2010. The reception was the culmination of the week’s activities and the navy's way of showing its appreciation.

Civilian guests enjoyed the hanger bay festivities as well as the numerous static displays on the flight deck. The event was well attended by local dignitaries and Navy Brass. Congressman Ron Klein was there, along with several area mayors including Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. Seiler who presented the key to the city to Capt. Jeff Amick, USN, captain of the USS Iwo Jima. Numerous business leaders and Congressional hopeful, Alan West were also present.

The Navy was represented by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, RADM Townsend (Tim) Alexander, USN, U.S.Commander of the Navy Region Southeast, Rear Admiral Michelle Howard, USN Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two. She was the first African-American to command a US Navy ship. It was a memorable event and a fitting close to a memorable week.