I belong to a number of organizations that promote the support of our navy and veterans. Those include the Navy League, the American Legion, the VFW, the Naval Institute and the Naval Submarine League (NSL). I recently became a life member of the NSL. The great thing about becoming older is that the cost of being a life member is much more affordable.

The NSL promotes the importance of supporting our undersea defense and all that it means to our country’s future. While the Navy League will always remain part of my DNA, the NSL is focused on submarines and undersea technology as its core discipline. Since most of my navy experience was centered around that, of course I will be more interested in supporting this group in my remaining days.

Naval Submarine League HISTORY

The Naval Submarine League was founded in 1982 to provide a means for Submarine Force leadership to share their vision and direction with the American people, so they could be aware of the need for a strong undersea arm of the U.S. Navy. Several events have been developed which enable government, industry and academia to identify, study and develop potential solutions to undersea warfare challenges. A quarterly journal, The Submarine Review, and ten chapters (some at submarine ports) enable submariners and submarine enthusiasts to be informed.

Western Pennsylvania

A great deal of technology and equipment for the nuclear underwater support comes from western Pennsylvania. Its no secret that Admiral Rickover personally made this are a jewel in the crown when he determined that the area was ripe with technically oriented people and skilled workers. Since the late 1940’s that contribution has been steadily growing. While the civilian ownership has changed hands a few times since the early Westinghouse days, the influence of the local facilities has never wavered.

USS Pittsburgh

For many years, the Pittsburgh Naval League supported the USS Pittsburgh SSN 720. From her launching to her decommissioning, local people from the Pittsburgh Area were present and provided decades worth of support. This was enhanced by the Submarine Vets group in Pittsburgh.

The decommissioning of the Pittsburgh was the end of most of the formal support for the submarine navy. Both groups still have a heart for submarines but there is very little support that matches what was present during Pittsburgh’s live. Recently, it was announced that the next USS Pittsburgh would be an LPD and not a submarine. It will be up to the Navy League to decide how best to support this new ship.

In the meantime, the national headquarters of the NSL has reached out to me to see if there is interest in developing a statewide effort to support the USS Pennsylvania.

I think there is certainly a reason to do so.

The active-duty navy folks can often feel like there is no connection between themselves and the people they serve. I know that when I was on the USS San Francisco, we had a lot of contact in the days leading up to our first port call. Then it all just sort of went away. We did our job quietly, but the level of support was just not there. I did feel some connection to Indianapolis when I was a crew member and enjoyed our visit there. But nothing can compare to the forty-year relationship the Pittsburgh had with the Navy League. From beginning to end, it was remarkable to see the unending dedication of the people fro the Burg.

What would it take?

I think it’s a combination of citizens, veterans and corporate sponsors.

There are people who participated in the Navy league who never wore a uniform. Most were just great citizens who saw the importance of the boat and a strong navy. The country was just coming out of the post-Vietnam slump and the Carter years. Those great folks stepped up with fund raising and physical support. They were joined with veterans of all ages like my dad. Those veterans also appreciated the need for community support. Finally, many generous sponsors broke out their checkbooks and made sure that not only the launching was a great success but that long term support for the crew was viable. There is still a scholarship fund for former members of the Pittsburgh after forty years of awarding many scholarships. That vision was critical to sustaining the momentum.

I’m going to be busy for the next few months finishing my book and planning for a great reunion for the 711 boat in Charleston in April.

But my next project will be to start the process to build a Sub Club for the USS Pennsylvania.

I think now, more than ever, we need to support our men and women in uniform. They need to hear from the folks back home that what they are doing is appreciated.

If you are interested in being part of the planning committee, let me know. We learned that a lot can be done on platforms like Zoom and Teams that will circumvent having to travel too much. I would really appreciate it if other folks that want to support this pitched in to help.