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Orange County, Navy League of the United States
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The Orange County Council of the Navy League joined the Latino Advocates for Education in
celebrating the contributions Mexican-Americans have made to our nation's defense. Held at
California State University, Fullerton, the event featured LtGEN Ricardo Sanchez, USA (ret). GEN
Sanchez served as the V Corps commander of coalition forces in Iraq from June 2003 to June
2004. He was the highest-ranking Hispanic in the United States Army when he retired on
November 1, 2006. This is the 13th Year in which the Latino Advocates have recognized
Hispanic veterans and they are dedicated to sharing their accomplishments with Orange County.
The OC Navy League was invited to tell our story of support to our Country's Sea Services.
Congratulations to the Latino Advocates for Education on another fun and informative opportunity
to thank those who have helped to protect the United States.

Members of the OC Navy League join the Latino Advocates for Education in celebrating the service of
Mexican-Americans in defense of the United States.
Top Photo- L-R LtCOL Henry Cervantes, USAF (ret), Latino Advocates President, HON Rick Agguire, Navy
League Legislative Affairs Chairman, Jim Bras, LtGEN Ricardo Sanchez, USA (ret), Council President, Bill Forrey.
Bottom Photo- LtCOL Cervantes and Jim Bras at the OC Navy League information table.
Orange County Council friends are filling some large submarine commands. Through our
relationship with Submarine Squadron ELEVEN, we've watched the careers of many
submariners take off. Click here for the details!
The 110th Submarine Birthday Ball in San Diego is just around the corner. OC Navy League
President, Bill Forrey has designed the Sub Ball Challenge Coin and the OC Navy League,
along with our partners, Bacardi, USA and Brown-Forman will once again be hosting the
Hospitality Suite at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina April 17. Orange County Navy
League members and guests will be invited. Watch this web site, the OCNL Facebook page or
the OCNL Twitter page for information on how to purchase your tickets!
Your Orange County Council is on the move again. Over the last five years we've had to change
our meeting place twice. We left Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach because of the difficulty in
getting all members on base.. Hobby People, one of our best corporate sponsors donated their
conference room in their headquarters building, but we now have out grown that! We think we
have found ourselves a new, permanent home. The Santa Ana Elks Lodge is providing a large
meeting room and the use of their restaurant and full bar. Meetings will be held on the second
Thursday of each month at 1930. All OC Navy League members are invited to attend. Come
early and enjoy dinner and happy hour with fellow members. Stay for the meetings and help
support adopted Sea Service personnel. Click here for directions!

Your Orange County Council presented 4th Quarter and Year Awards for 2009 to the Third
Marine Aircraft Wing and MCAS Miramar Marines and Sailors on Friday. The morning Colors
Ceremony was also a special salute to National African American History Month. Video of the
Ceremony, including the 3rd MAW Marching Band is available on the Orange County Navy
League Facebook page. Click here to view them all.
You Orange County Council is gearing up to help support the Commander, Submarine Force,
United States Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year Awards in San Diego. This will be our 6th year
supporting sub sailors from all around the Pacific. Drew Estate Cigars will again be helping to
host the Wilson Creek Winery and Morton's Steakhouse dinner for these sailors and their families.
Visit the OC Navy League Facebook page for more information, or click HERE.
The week of March 6 through the March 12 was busy for your Orange County Navy League. On
Saturday, March 6 the OCNL served as one of the sponsors for the commissioning of the USS
Dewey, DDG-105 in Seal Beach. This was the first ship commissioning in Orange County.
Right after Dewey, your Council helped to sponsor the Commander, Submarine Force, United
States Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year Awards. This event covered an entire week and received
terrific support from the OC Leagues corporate and individual sponsors.
For more details, pictures and videos of the two events, visit the Orange County Facebook
page by clicking here
Gone but not forgotten! The USS Helena, SSN-725 is still back in Maine, but is doing yeomans
work in getting out of the yard and back out to sea. Before our former adopted submarine left San
Diego to head back east, the Orange County Council designed and purchased a special
Challenge Coin for the crew. The "Proud and Fearless, Coast to Coast" coin was handed out to
each Helena sailor by Cheif of the Boat, Dave DiPietro. Click on the Helena logo above and scroll
down to page three to read all about it. Helena is now an East Coast Boat and our adoption with
Her great crew is over. The USS Albuquerque, SSN-706 has been picked up to keep your
Council active with the Pacific Fleet submarine force.

Orange County Navy Leaguers and their guests are invited to the 110th Submarine Birthday Ball
in San Diego. Once again your Council, along with Bacardi USA and Brown-Forman (Jack
Daniel's) will be hosting the VIP Hospitality Suite. Of the 1100 sailors and guests attending, 400
will be visiting the Hospitality Suite, including guest speaker and Orange County Council friend,
RADM Doug McAneny.
OC Leaguers who wish to attend MUST contact Dru Secrist at ksecrist@socal.rr.com before
purchasing their tickets. Make plans to attend and meet some of the greatest mariners in the
world, the sailors of the United States Submarine Force!
The United States Coast Guard is once again facing a readiness crisis. Navy League National
President, Dan Branch Jr. is asking all Navy League members, friends and family to send a
letter to your elected officials, urging them to protect Coast Guard funding in the FY2011 budget.
We need you to send an e-mail or to call your Congressman and Senators, telling them to not
allow the proposed funding cuts to stand.
Please click on Branch's photo above to read his remarks and a sample letter that you can
send to Washington, DC. (Open with Adobe Reader)