Events Gallery

2023 AFCEA West

The San Diego Council participated in attending the three day Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Convention at the downtown San Diego convention center. AFCEA is a professional association that connects people, ideas and solutions globally by networking and educational opportunities. 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. Bravo Zulu VP, Tracy Owens; Executive Director, Ernie Belmares and Board Members, Dave Grundies and Jay Rindler in volunteering their time to attend this special event. Well done to VP Tracy Owens in meeting with the 78th Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro.

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

President; Ed Naranjo, VP; Tracy Owens and Boad of Director Member Rick Mitrovich hosted the San Diego Council’s Board of Directors Appreciation Reception at the Top of the Hyatt located on the 40th floor at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel on December 12, 2022. During this event Board of Directors and Spouses came together and celebrated the successful accomplishments throughout the 2022 year. This event was spectacular and team building. Special thank you to the Staff of the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel.

2022 12 Star Holiday Reception

President; Ed Naranjo, VP; Tracy Owens, Sea Service Chair; Marty Magana and Homecoming Chair; Jay Rindler attended the 12 Star Holiday Reception at Naval Air Station North Island. This special event was hosted by; CNSF VADM Kitchener, CNAF VADM Whitesell, C3F VADM Boyle, CNSW RADM Davids and CNRSW RDML Rosen that included numerous business leaders from the community and Senior Military leaders from the waterfront and local shore installations to celebrate the holiday season and network to better serve our military community on December 11, 2022.

2022 Marine Corps Birthday Ball

On Friday, November 11, 2022, Sea Service Chairman Marty Magana attended the 12th Marine Corps District’s, 2022 Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Hardrock Hotel “Gaslamp Rooftop” located downtown San Diego with 100 guests in attendance. Our San Diego Council participated in this year’s Table Sponsorship for 10 Marines and where Marty presented $1k check to Adjutant; Captain April Deacon, USMC in support of this special occasion. During this event guests enjoyed music from the Marine Corps Band, formal dinner reception, music and the traditional cake cutting ceremony. Special thank you to 12th Marine Corps District Commanding Officer, Colonel Michael Ogden, USMC and Guest of Honor, Master Sergeant Gerald Larsen, USMC(Ret).

2022 MCAS Miramar Birthday Celebration

On November 9, 2022, Our Homecoming Chairman Jay Rindler joined 3rd Marine Air Wing; Brigadier General Robert B. Bodie and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Commanding Officer; Colonel Thomas M. Bedell to celebrate the United States Marine Corps 247th Birthday at the Bob Hope Theater at MCAS Miramar Base. During this event Marines covered its heritage, modeled its uniforms from its initial establishment to current and held a cake cutting ceremony.

2022 Fleet Week San Diego

On November 8, 2022, San Diego Council President Ed Naranjo and VP Tracy Owens attended Fleet Week San Diego Enlisted Recognition Luncheon at Sea World San Diego’s Nautilus Amphitheater. This was the 21st Anniversary being held at Sea World in recognition of service members from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard for their outstanding service and professional excellence. Bravo Zulu to all service members!

2022 Navy Birthday Ball

San Diego Council’s hosted the 2022 Navy Birthday Ball on Saturday, Oct 15, 2022 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel located downtown San Diego at the embarcadero with over 500 plus guests in attendance. During this special occasion guests enjoyed music from the Navy Region Southwest Band, 5 Star Dinner and music from Hyatt’s DJ Mixer and the traditional cake cutting ceremony. Special thank you to Commander, Carrier Strike Group 9, Rear Admiral Robert Chadwick II who have an incredible presentation that everyone in the audience enjoyed. Special thank you to the Navy Region Southwest NBB Committee; LT Hal Jones, LNC Maria Bryant their team, including the San Diego Council’s NBB Committee Ernie Belmares, Sheldon Margolis and Alice Robles, Special thank you to our NBB Sponsors; Manchester Grand Hyatt’s; Rich Mitrovich, Gregory Seepersad, Rebecca Bailey, and Molly Dimas and USAA’s David Dearie. .

2022 CPO Pride Day

San Diego Council’s VP Tracy Owens, Executive Director Ernie Belmares and Board Members; Derek Barksdale, Jay Rindler, Charles Clark, Jiah and Catherine Montanez attended the San Diego’s Premier Chief Petty Officer’s Pride Day on Friday, October 14, 2002 in celebration on the soon-to-be-promoted Chief Selectees. More than 2500 Navy Chief and Chief Selectees attend this one day event to network and receive leadership lessons. The event not only serves to promote mentorship and community support, but heritage and tradition of the Navy Chief. All proceeds from this event go towards program support and business operations for the following year.

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

Executive Director; Ernie Belmares attends the Base Command Master Chief (CMC) Meeting at Naval Base San Diego to provide awareness on its programs that it supports to its sea service members in the San Diego Community and its upcoming events.

Special thank you to Sea Service Chairman; Marty Magana, Youth Programs Chairman; Shane Steinfeld and Homecoming Chairman; Jay Rindler who also attended and met with all the CMC’s in building connections with the Senior Enlisted Leaders on the waterfront.

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2022 Sea Services Golf Tournament – July 21, 2022

Thank you to our Golf Committee Chair Chris Catania and his team in leading this year’s Sea Services Golf Tournament. Including all our sponsors for supporting

our special event.

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San Diego is Coast Guard City USA!

The City of San Diego is the largest Coast Guard City in the United States. Our San Diego Council congratulates the United States Coast Guard Sector San Diego and the City of San Diego for its recertification as “Coast Guard City”.

Additionally, Special Thank you to both Captain Eric Cooper, and Captain Timothy J. Barelli for your strong support of our San Diego Council and congratulations on your successful Coast Guard career, Fair Winds and Following Seas! Welcome Aboard Captain James W. Spitler as the United States Coast Guard Sector Commander and Captain of the Port of San Diego California and USCG Maritime Security Response Team Commanding Officer – CAPT Robert J. Berry. SEMPER PARATUS!

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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.

San Diego Navy League’s Golf Scramble

An unexpected sprinkler pipe rupture during the Navy League Golf Tournament provided an interesting problem for some golfers on the first tee. It should be noted that Navy and Coast Guard players went around the new hazard while the Marines went straight through it.