Through the haze of history… the dark underside of race relations in the US Navy

Memories… I have many wonderful memories of serving in the US Navy. All of the research I do leads me to long lost information and occasionally I find things that bring back some not so good memories. This story is one of those. I should warn you. It is long. The story comes from a […]

What are you willing to risk to celebrate Independence Day?

Happy Independence Day Like most people, I think of Independence Day as a wonderful way to celebrate all things America and have some great food. Fireworks and festivities crowd out the fact that over the years, many Americans have been unable to actually celebrate the day. Those are the men and women of the armed […]

Where is the line? Destroying History Has a Hidden Threat to the Future

As most avid history buffs know, this coming week will mark the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. This major battle was fought from July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The Southern Army had invaded the north in an […]

USS TRIGGER SS 237 – The First Patrol June 26, 1942 (75 Years ago)

USS Trigger SS 237 Departed on her first war patrol on June 26, 1942. The United States Navy had not planned on using the submarines at its disposal in the way they found themselves forced to in the spring of 1942. The Japanese Navy had crushed the battle fleet in a surprise attack at Pearl […]

Summer 2017 USNL Pittsburgh President’s Letter – The Home Front

The Home Front Greetings to all of the Navy League Members and those who have yet to join. I am always grateful for the membership we have and a bit curious why there aren’t more of us. The Pittsburgh Council of the Navy League of the United States is an active group that supports the […]

Fifteen years… but it seems like a lifetime

It was a blue sky day September 11, 2001 is the date which marks the turning point in modern history for many people. On this day, America found out what it is like to be vulnerable in a very real way. My generation grew up in the shadow of an elusive nuclear threat. We were […]

August 6, 2016 – Remembering Hiroshima

A special note from the Editor of the Site: Today marks the remembrance of a fateful day in world history – The bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. The lives of every person on earth were changed forever by the use of such a horrendous weapon. Even today, the shadow of nuclear weapons still falls over […]

You have more of a right than you have been taught in schools

The right to bear arms. There is a lot of talk about your rights as a citizen. Most people do not know that there was a great debate duing the drafting of the constitution about whether or not to enumerate certain “rights” In the end, the Bill of Rights was included. The Bill of Rights, […]

Memorial Day – Planting a New Seed

Planting a new Seed This was a different kind of Memorial Day for our family. Our recorded history of participation in services goes back to right after the Civil War when communities all across the nation were still trying to adjust to the shocking death toll brought on by the late war. Unlike the wars […]

There are no routine days at sea on a submarine

It was just another day at sea. Routine in many ways but in others it became an eternal reminder of the dangers associated with operating a submarine. The sea i…s unforgiving and the impact of any small failure becomes magnified beyond control within moments. I have sat in a chair, strapped in holding the […]