Broward Council Members and Friends

We are now well into 2025, and my, how time flies.  Seems like only yesterday that we started talking about Fleet Week coming back to Port Everglades in 2025, and it is almost here.  Due to last minute changes in deployment schedules, we will have three US Navy ships and one Coast Guard cutter arriving on April 22nd and remaining until April 30th.  Broward Navy Days is going all out this year with many new events, so there will be a lot of opportunities to participate.  The Council will once again be selling soda, water, snacks, and Council coins, and we will need volunteers to staff our table from April 23rd through the 29th.  Through the efforts of Council Treasurer Tom Carney we will be able to accept Zelle for payments.  As Volunteer Coordinator for ship tours, Shelley will also need help checking in ship tour visitors. Please go on line to browardnavydaysinc.org and register as a volunteer if you can assist us that week.  We will also be hosting the Junior Officer Party at the Quarterdeck on 17th Street on Wednesday, April 23rd, starting at 6 PM.  This is always a fun time, so please come out and support the Council and visiting ship JOs.  I hope to see you all there. 

Before then, on April 12th we will be hosting our annual Easter Egg Hunt for US Coast Guard families at the Coast Guard Station at Dania Beach.  A special thanks to Council member Bob Giacin for his generous contribution to defray the cost of that event, and to Shelley Beck for making all of the logistics arrangements.  We can also use volunteers that day to assist with the barbecue and events of the day; so just let Shelley know if you are able to help out.  There is also a separate volunteer opportunity in April and May to assist the South Florida Coast Guard Spouses Association with their Warehouse at the Air Station where they distribute free items to Coast Guard families.  Let me know if interested.

The Florida Region Navy League meeting was held on February 21st and 22nd in Fort Lauderdale.  While I was unable to attend, we were ably represented by Council Secretary and South Florida Area President Shelley Beck and our First Vice President Tom Melville.  There was a lot of discussion about membership and succession planning, events, fundraising, and youth program support.  Our Easter Egg Hunt and Holiday Party were highlighted as two successful initiatives.  Thanks to Shelley and Tom for representing us. 

The Navy League National Convention will be in Jacksonville this year from June 4th to June 7th.  Let me know if you are interested in attending. 

My thanks to all who were able to attend our last dinner meeting on March 13th at Tropical Acres.  CAPT Eric Smith from Air Station Miami was our guest speaker, administered the installation oath to the elected Board officers for 2025, and provided us an update on what's going on at our largest adopted Coast Guard unit.  CAPT Smith will be retiring from the Coast Guard this summer, and during their recent All Hands I attended to present the unit's Enlisted Person of the Year recognition, he surprised me with recognition for the Council's support of the unit.  Sector Miami Commander CAPT Cederholm will also be transferring to Washington, DC later this month and will be relieved by the current Deputy Sector Commander, CAPT Florio.  There will be many others transferring this summer, and we wish all safe travels as they move on to their next assignments or career changes.

This is your Council, so please do let me know if you have any thoughts on areas we should focus on for the rest of the year.  As I indicated in our last newsletter, we are looking for members that are willing to step forward to join the Board as well as new officer candidates for 2026.  Please do let me know if interested. 

Best regards,

Glenn A. Wiltshire
Capt. USCG retired
Council President