Joe Giambrone can still recall the loneliness of being far from
home during his three-year stint as a sailor.
Nearly 40 years later, the Weston resident is heading up the
local chapter of a group dedicated to supporting the U.S. Navy's men
and women at sea.
''I know what it is like to be in the military and how it is to
struggle and be away from home,'' said Giambrone, president of the
Broward County Council of the Navy League of the United States. ``I
also know how great it is to see a friendly face and feel
welcome.''
They are one of three councils in the Fort Lauderdale area whose
main focus is to keep the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and
Merchant Marine strong on the home front.
Founded in 1902, there are now more than 270 Navy League Councils
worldwide with more than 66,000 members.
''Our mission is to help the ships, their families, lobbying and
support whatever needs to be done,'' Giambrone said.
With 306 members, the Broward County Council is the official
welcome wagon in Fort Lauderdale, a port many consider to be a
favorite liberty call.
Members meet each military vessel that comes into Port
Everglades, a number Giambrone says averages one a month. When they
board, they make sure the sailors are prepared to hit the town.
''We put together a portfolio with all kinds of information about
Fort Lauderdale. There are maps, discount coupons, directions and
anything else they need,'' he said.
In port, there are also welcome receptions, community activities,
service projects and visits with local families to set up.
Giambrone and wife, Marianne, became members of the Broward
County Council three years ago. She is currently secretary of the
chapter. Many members have loved ones on active duty in the
military, but a good portion, like the Giambrones, do not.
They simply want to help.
''Many of our members just want to be patriotic,'' Giambrone
said.
In 1990, the Broward County Council adopted the USS Leyte Gulf,
the first ship ever commissioned at Port Everglades. Their
connection with the vessel extends both in and out of port.
When the ship is at sea, the Navy League makes sure each sailor
gets a birthday card. At holidays, they provide additional
assistance to sailors or their families.
They also contribute as needed to the ships' recreation funds.
Recently, they provided money to purchase a drum set.
When there is not a ship in port, Giambrone and the other
officers are busy attending change-of- command ceremonies, Navy
events, and many more activities.
The council was to participate in the commissioning of the USS
Bainbridge, a new Navy ship scheduled to be commissioned in Fort
Lauderdale on Saturday. The week prior, they hosted a number of
different events.
They also support four local Navy and Marine JROTC units at
Charles W. Flanagan, Nova, J.P. Taravella and Stranahan high
schools.
It is often a full-time job that the members do on a strictly
volunteer basis.
Giambrone estimates it takes at least $20,000 to stay afloat each
year, all of which comes from fundraising events and donations. A
good deal of his time is spent lining up community affiliates or
businesses willing to support the Navy League. They are always
looking for others to come aboard.
To learn about how to help or join, visit http://www.bcnavyleague.org/
or call Joe Giambrone at
954-389-0545.
