Events Gallery

The National Navy League held its 4 day Convention at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego.  This annual conference had distinguished visitors and council leaders from across the globe with over 300 guests in attendance.    The conference was kicked off with a welcome reception aboard USS Midway Museum with Navy Region Southwest Chief of Staff; CAPT Dwight Clemons as guest speaker.  During the week it allowed council leaders to connect and collaborate on best practices, refresher training and attain insight on maritime policies, legislative initiatives and building blocks to a successful council.  Most importantly, recognize the Maritime Forces active duty service member for their outstanding service.  The conference included social events at the famous Navy Seal Pub “McP’s” in Coronado and ended the conference with a San Diego Padres ball game at Petco Park.  Well done to President; Tracy Owens, VP; Marty Magana, CFO; Sheldon Margolis, Executive Director; Ernie Belmares and Council Members; Jay Rindler, Charles Clark, Dave Grundies and Suzie Johnson in support of hosting the week long conference.  Congratulations to the San Diego Council winning its 2024 Donald Mackie, Council Performance and Sea Service Adoption Excellence Awards.

San Diego Council; President; Tracy Owens, VP; Marty Magana and Executive Director; Ernie Belmares attended the the “Fight on to Victory” Commemoration and Celebration Gala aboard  USS MIDWAY Musuem on Sat, June 1, 2024.  Former Council President; Tony Johnson, Community Partner Lockheed Martin Military Rep; David Steindl and HSCWINGPAC CMC; Jose Pena joined the celebration.  The special event honored all five American wars in which had all living veterans, paying tribute to their bravery, sacrifice, and dedication. The evening was a moving reminder of the courage and commitment of our servicemen and women, and it was a privilege for the San Diego Council to being apart of a meaningful celebration.

Radio Talk Show “The Answer” FM96.1/AM1170; President of Enlisted Leadership Foundation; U.S. Navy Retired Command Master Chief David Dearie interviews the San Diego Council Executive Director; U.S. Navy Retired Command Master Chief Ernie Belmares on role its nonprofit organization plays in the community.  The Answer’s Enlisted Leadership Foundation is dedicated to “Building America’s Leaders”. David connects with business leaders and veterans from the community on programs available to support our military and veterans in the community through its Radio Talk Show and PODCAST in getting the message out. To include, assisting those on active duty transitioning from the military to the civilian sector.  This was a great opportunity with promoting the Council’s role and how it supports the Maritime Forces in the San Diego Metro area with Award Recognitions, Homecomings, Scholarships and Youth Programs, where it has resulted to the increased membership, sponsors and volunteers from its mass listeners.

The San Diego Council participated with the recognition of 2023 TYCOM SOY Awards during the week of April 15 – 19, 2024. The events included a Joint TYCOM SOY & Sponsor Recognition at the San Diego Zoo, followed by respective dinner receptions throughout the San Diego Metro area.  Congratulations to all the nominees and the TYCOM SOY Award winners – Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; (Sea) AO1 Brittney Robinson, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76)  and (Shore) AWS1 Justin Pickering, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3.  Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; (Sea) HM1(SW/FMF) Joshua Moore, USS John P. Murtha and (Shore)  BM1(SW) Denver Burkly, Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific.  Commander, THIRD Fleet, (Sea) PS1(SW/AW) Richel Mila, Carrier Strike Group Eleven and (Shore) OS1(SW/AW) DeEll Henderson, Commander, Third Fleet.  Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; (Sea)  and (Shore).  Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command; HM1(DWS/PJ) John Drzemiecki, Naval Special Warfare Group 8.  Special thank you to our Sponsors, Lockheed Martin’s; David Steindl, Al Worthy and Fred Becker, Boeing’s; Tim Slentz and MINT; Andrew & Heather Skale.

San Diego Council held its 3rd Annual CPO Birthday Celebration & Charity Event with 90 military and civilian guests in attendance from the community.  Cake Cutting Ceremony was performed by Commander, U.S Pacific Third Fleet Command Master Chief Trenton Schmidt and USS SAN DIEGO CMC Aaron Winberly in leading the festivities with the cake cutting ceremony, celebrating 131 years of excellence.  This special event included Sponsors donating 40 door prizes for the opportunity drawing that raised over $500.00 in donations in support of the San Diego Council’s award recognition and youth programs.

2023 Fleet Week San Diego

2023 Navy Birthday Ball

2023 MCAS Miramar Air Show – September 23, 2023

Well Done to Air Show Lead & Board of Director Shane Steinfeld and committee members; Ira and Jasmine Heid, Charles Clark, Chelsea Booth in leading the 2023 MCAS Miramar Air Show that hosted 200 families and friends in its Chalet at MCAS Miramar on Sept 23, 2023. The guests enjoyed front row seating to the largest aerodynamic show in the country, that included the Navy’s Blue Angels. Special thank you to our Sponsor Presidents, Business Owner & Representatives – MCP Gov; Raj Ghai, Strategic Data Systems; Jeff Wylie, North Island Credit Union – Roger McTighe, General Atomics Electromagnetics; Alec Gordan and Rolf Ziesing, LC Embroidery; Rolan Patzi, and Parker Aerospace; John Miles.

2023 IFWG Social Reception – September 11, 2023

Well Done to IFWG Reception Lead & Board of Director Austin Krivanec in leading the 2023 IFWG Social Reception that hosted 50 guests from nine countries that operate the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate at the Liberty Station San Diego Carruth Wine Cellars on Sept 11, 2023.  Special thank you to Raytheon Technologies; CAPT Jeff Westin, USN(Ret) as the sponsor.

Cammies 2 College Event – August 5, 2023

Well done to Council Vice President; Tracy Owens in leading the 2023 Cammies to College event that hosted numerous educational, nonprofit and veterans associations at Liberty Station on 5 August 2023.  During this event over 400 military families visited to hear and learn about the numerous college programs, scholarships and opportunities available for 2023/2024. This year’s event included numerous super hero actors for the kids to enjoy.  To include, the annual backpacks and school supplies provided to kids for this upcoming new school year.

2023 Sea Services Golf Tournament

Battle of Midway 81 Anniversary

Fiscal Year 2022 Type Commander Sailor of the Year Awards Recognition

2023 CPO Birthday Celebration & Charity Event

2023 Sea, Air & Space Convention Event

2023 AFCEA West

2022 Board of Directors Appreciation Reception; Hosted by Manchester Grand Hyatt

2022 12 Star Holiday Reception

2022 Marine Corps Birthday Ball

2022 MCAS Miramar Birthday Celebration

2022 Fleet Week San Diego

2022 Navy Birthday Ball

2022 CPO Pride Day

OMBUDSMAN Appreciation

San Diego Council celebrated OMBUDSMAN Appreciation Month during its September’s Breakfast Event hosting 140 guests in attendance in recognizing 35 OMBUDSMANs from various Navy and Marine Corps commands in the San Diego and Seal Beach metro area. Including the support of 14 Sponsors providing 28 donations valued at $8k in door prizes.

2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Sept 24, 2022

MCAS Miramar held its first Air Show since the COVID Pandemic two years ago, where the San Diego Council participated in hosting 200 families and friends in its Chalet on Sept 24, 2022. The guests where able to enjoy having front row seating to the largest and most spectacular. aerodynamic show on the west coast that included the Navy’s Blue Angels. Special thank you to our Sponsor Presidents; Lockheed Martin – Joe Rixey, MCP Gov – Raj Ghai, LC Embroidery – Rolan Patzi, Parker Aerospace – John Miles, General Atomics Electromagnetics – Scott Forney, and North Island Credit Union – Roger McTighe. Including, MCAS Miramar Commanding Officer – Colonel Thomas Bedell and Sergeant Major Jason Cain in taking time to come visit with our guests in the Chalet. Well done to our Air Show Committee Chair – Shane Steinfeld and his TEAM!

Sept 12-16, 2022 International Frigate Working Group Event

Well Done to our IFWG Committee Chair; Dave Grundies and his team; Ric Rushton (XO), Jim Bedinger, Sheldon Margolis, Pam Ammerman, Suzie Johnson, Jay Rindler, Bob Berman, Chelsea Buss, Austin Krivanec, and Marty Magana in hosting nine countries (Bahrain, Chile, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey) that operate the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate with 27 Sponsors; Valkyrie, Havelsan, MBDA, Rolls Royce Marine NA, Thales, EECO, CACI, Phoenix Group, VSE Corp, Amentum, IXI, Gibbs & Cox, Lockheed Martin, Fairbanks Morse, Rolls Royce PS, and Raytheon. Silver Sponsor; MTU Aero Engines, GE Aviation Marine, Curtis Wright, SAAB Inc, BAE US,  & Swift Engineering. Bronze Sponsorship: L-3 Harris, DM Consulting, A-GAS, Northrup Grumman, and Palantir in support of this 5 day international event.

2022 Cammies 2 College Event – August 6, 2022

Well done to Vice President Tracy Owens in leading the San Diego Council in its first “Support The Enlisted Project – Cammies to College event”, that had over 600 military family members in attendance to learn about educational resources and VA benefits available to them.  Including, awareness on the Council’s  Alexander Kreiglowa Scholarship Fund and its Youth Programs available to its sea service members and families in the community.  Guest Speaker was Naval Base Point Loma Commanding Officer; Captain Kenneth Franklin who provided a warm welcome to military families and where kids received new backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming new school year!

2022 Base CMC Meeting

2022 Sea Services Golf Tournament – July 21, 2022

our special event.

San Diego is Coast Guard City USA!

CPO Birthday Celebration & Charity Event

San Diego Council held its first Charity Event coming off a two-year COVID Post Pandemic. The Charity Event Celebrated the U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer’s Birthday – 129 Years of Excellence. The event had 75 guests for the celebration that range from business leaders to sponsors and guests from the community. Including Commander, Naval Air Forces U.S. Pacific Fleet, Force Master Chief Trenton Schmidt, Expeditionary Strike Group THREE CMC Matt Danforth, USS San Diego CMC John Lanza, USS JOHN FINN CMC Erika Lavallais, DESRON23 CMC William Coston, MCRD 1stSgt Carlos Canezgil and GySgt Kenneth Catledge, along with many Sailors and Marines from all paygrades in attendance. The San Diego Council thanks all our Sponsors for their generous donations in gifts to support our Charity Event.

2022 AFCEA West

The San Diego Council participated in the three day Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Convention at the downtown convention center.  AFCEA is a professional association that connects people, ideas and solutions globally by networking and educational opportunities.  Special thank you to Board Member and Former San Diego Council President; Dave Grundies, CAPT, USN(Ret).  Dave is the Business Owner of Due Regard Consulting, Inc., that sponsored the Counci’s booth during this special event.  This opportunity allowed members from the council to provide awareness on how The Navy League supports its sea services in the San Diego metro area.  Including, building relationships with local Businesses and Government Agencies.  Dave was instrumental in having the Commendant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Karl Schultz to visit the booth and spend time with our volunteers.

Our council members who volunteered in operating the booth met with many Defense Agencies, Contractors and Vendors from across the country.  Including, Distinguished Vistors; Dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy Navy League of the United States; James Foggo, ADM, USN(Ret), Commander Third Fleet, VADM Stephen Koehler, Commander Navy Region Southwest, RDML Stephen Barnett, Coast Guard San Diego Sector Commanding Officer & Command Master Chief; CAPT Timothy Barelli and CMC Greg Via, Afloat Training Group San Diego Command Master Chief Alex Ortiz and his Chiefs, Miramar and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Master Sergeant Brad Faulkener and Sergeant Major Jeremy, CEO/President of Support The Enlisted Project Tony Teravainen and NJROTC.

A special thank you to our volunteers; Jay Rindler, Bob Berman, Marty Magana, Nil Ng, and Tracy Owens.