FITZ Change of Command & 2024 SOY Award Winners

Navy League San Diego’s FITZGERALD Alumni Committee Plank-Owners; Ernie Belmares, Jeff Wylie and Froilan Patzi and FITZ 2nd CMC; Dave Knipple attended USS FITZGERALD’s Change of Command on 12 December 2024, where CDR Paul F. Richardson III relieved CDR Jayson C. Larsen as Commanding Officer. During this special event, FITZ Alumni’s met with the FITZGERALD namesake family members; Lynda and Penni, and incoming CO; CDR Richardson. Additionally, the FITZ Alumni’s recognized the 2024 Blue Jacket Sailor of the Year; STGSN Lucas Cannon, Junior Sailor of the Year; HM3(SW) Sirus Steel, Sailor of the Year; GSE2(SW) Anthony Gonzalez and Senior Sailor of the Year; RS1(SW) Carolyn Jones. Special thank you to FITZ CMC; CMDCM Ronmel Aleman for the warm hospitality and CDR Larsen for the strong support of the Navy League’s FITZ Alumni Committee. Fair Winds and Following Seas CDR Larsen, and welcome aboard CDR Richardson!

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2024 FITZ Alumni Ship Reunion – Oct 18-20, 2024

USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) & USS Fitzgerald Alumni Ship’s Reunion in the books’. We had 134 FITZ Alumni’s to include family and friends join us for our 3 Day event from the Social Event at Friday’s; Protector Brewery to the Saturday’s; Dinner Reception at the Barrio Logan Don Diego VFW Post 7420 to Sunday’s; Ship visit and Final Farewell at El Cid Brewery.

Special thank you to FITZ CO; CDR Jayson Larsen & FITZ CMC; CMDCM Ronmel Aleman and crew, celebrating 29 Years of Excellence!

All proceeds raised goes towards FITZ SOQ Awards Recognition Program via Navy League San Diego Council. Thank you, Froilan Patzi, Eric Bridges, Jasen Thacker, Shane Steinfeld. AND of course, Jeff Wylie, Kevin C Kern and Michelle Kern.

Next FITZ Reunion is scheduled for 2027 or 2028 pending ships schedule.

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2024 SOQ (1st & 2nd Qtr-FY24) Award Winners- May 9, 2024

Navy League San Diego Executive Director; U.S. Navy Retired Command Master Chief Ernie Belmares and LC Embroidery Director of Operations & Public Relations; Rolan Patzi Jr. visited USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) to present Sailor of the Quarter Awards to; (1st Qtr) SN Melanie Palacios, DC3 Madison Hernandez, GM2(SW) Chase Allen, and EM1(SW) Julia Cardenas. (2nd Qtr); BMSA Timothy Teah, QM3 Vincereuben LS2 Gerardo Siordia Englaterra and BM1 (SW) Jezreil Pineda. Award Winners received; Navy League Certificate of Appreciation, Ball Caps, Patches, and $50 Navy Exchange Gift Card. Awards sponsored by LC Embroidery and USS FITZGERALD Alumni’s.

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2023 SOY & SOQ (4th Qtr) Award Winners – December 12, 2023

Navy League San Diego’s USS Fitzgerald Alumni Committee Members; Jeff Wylie, Shane Steinfeld, Rolan Patzi and Ernie Belmares visited USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) to present and recognize the 2023 Sailor of the Year and Sailor of the Quarter (4th Qtr) Award Winners at Naval Base San Diego. Congratulations to BJSOQ; RS3 Seth Korankye, SOQ; OS2(SW) Shynasty Terrell, BJSOY; SN Colton Horne, JSOY; PS3 Michelle Doyle, SOY; GM2(SW/AW) Jennifer Gonzales and SSOY; MM1(SW/AW) Elizabeth Olivas. Award Winners received; Navy League Certificate of Appreciation, Ball Caps, Patches, Coins and $50 Navy Exchange Gift Card sponsored by Navy League San Diego USS Fitzerald Alumni Committee, LC Embroidery and Strategic Data Systems.

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SOQ Award Winners – October 26, 2022

Navy League San DIego’s USS Fitzgerald Alumni Committee Members; Shane Steinfeld, Ernie Belmares, Rolan Patzi, Jeff Wylie and Charles Clark visited USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) to present Sailor of the Quarter Awards to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Quarter Award Winners at Naval Base San Diego. Congratulations to 1st Qtr; GM3 Wilson Castro, GSM3 Aldo Francis, IT2(SW/IW) Kayla Minnick, and FC1(SW) Zachary Wilder. 2nd Qtr; BMSN Emmanual Henry, LS3(SW) Samantha Manderson, GSE2 Robert Smith and QM1(SW/AW) Clarissa Moore. 3rd Qtr;

LSSN(SW) Rhose Swanigan, DC3 Matthew Gentile, OS2(SW) Thomas Bartlett and OSC(SW/AW) Tory Denzel. Award Winners received; Navy League Certificate of Appreciation, Ball Caps, Patches, Coins and $50 Navy Exchange Gift Card sponsored by USS Fitzerald Alumni’s.

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SOY Award Winners – January 2022

Navy League Member and USS Fitzgerald Alumni Chairman Shane Steinfeld and Executive Director Ernie Belmares presented USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) Sailor of the Year Awards on board ship at Naval Base San Diego. Congratulations to Senior Sailor of the Year; BM1(SW) Tonia A. Guerin, Sailor of the Year; GM2(SW) Jonathan D. Mota, Junior Sailor of the Year; YN3 Neida M. Castro-Negron and Blue Jacket Sailor of the Year; BMSN Larry McCoy III. Award Winners received; Navy League Certificate of Appreciation and Coin and $100 Navy Exchange Gift Card sponsored by USS Fitzerald Alumni’s.

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FITZGERALD Reunion – October 2021

2021 USS Fitzgerald Alumni Reunion in the books! Three days of camaraderie and espirite-de-corps in honoring the past and present. Thank you Reunion Committee and everyone who were able to attend. A special thank you to USS Fitzgerald CO; Scott Wilbur, XO; Jac O. Ullman; CMC; Jeffrey Auffenberg and crew for joining us at our Dinner Reception and having us on board the ship for our exclusive ship’s tour.

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