November Drill Activities

Page last updated 11/23/08

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Click here for photos from the 1 November 2008 Drill

Click here for photos from the 8 November 2008 USS Freedom Commissioning

11 November 2008

Salute to Veterans in the City of Lights

After a short downtown march route and a chance to meet some Aurora veterans (including Aurora 3rd Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit, a Marine vet), the Aurora Division's Sea Cadets were front and center as the official program and speeches took place.

It was a very cold day but we remember the current and future veterans who have served in very cold, and very hot, places as proud members of the armed services. Bravo Zulu to our color guard who nearly became popsicles in pea coats!

ENS Jim McClure, USNSCC

OPS/PAO, Aurora Division

8 November 2008

"Sea Cadets Salute the Navy's Newest Ship"

Only in America can you see....

	The Navy's newest seagoing ship...a new coastal warfare fighter known as a Littoral Combat Ship, the USS Freedom (LCS-1), built on the Wisconsin Michigan border, commissioned in Milwaukee in cold November, headed for the warm homeport of San Diego
	The time honored tradition of sailors manning a ship for the first time
	A three-star Vice Admiral (VADM Dirk J. Debbink, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force) eager to hear the thoughts of a Navy League Cadet
	Sea Cadets from Aurora standing watch with the first watch of the Freedom
	Giant walking sausages
	8,000 citizens, veterans and sea cadets braving the cold to see the Navy come to life
	A Senior Regional Director starting the new tradition of almost throwing a junior ensign off the bow of a newly commissioned ship!

It truly was, the "Adventure of a Lifetime!" Fair winds and following seas, USS Freedom!

ENS Jim McClure, USNSCC

OPS/PAO, Aurora Division

1 November 2008

Aurora Division Drill at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Aurora

Who's That New Midshipman? --or-- Aurora Sea Cadets Go Postal

There's someone new in khaki and blue, and what's more she's sporting a gold strap too! Midshipman Heidi Miller has officially rejoined the Sea Cadet Corps, and she's back in the Aurora Division where she started as a prospective cadet way back in the Fall of 2003. Welcome back MIDN Miller, and congratulations on becoming our newest officer!

We also welcomed distinguished visitor Mr. Dick Ebeling, Vice President of the Aurora Council of the Navy League of the United States. We got to thank him in person for helping sponsor us by assisting with a special mailing of tickets and invitations to the annual Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon. Under the able leadership of Instructor Vicki Koehnke, our community affairs specialist, and with pitching in by our able cadets, LPO, chief and midshipman we were able to get the big mailing job done with time left to spare.

We made good use of that spare time with a little activity for the arms and brain...grabbing a small Navy football and passing it around a circle. Each time a cadet caught it they had to tell a special fact or interesting surprise about themselves. Shipmates got to know each other a little better in the process. Finally Regional Director LCDR Dan Wayesche dropped by to urge us all to look sharp and be sharp for the following week's commissioning of the USS FREEDOM (LCS-1) in Milwaukee. ENS McClure filled in for Commanding Officer LTJG Cabe. The Reserve Center is still standing and all sea cadets still alive.

ENS Jim McClure, USNSCC

OPS/PAO, Aurora Division