Navy League St. Louis Council

10/21/2026

Keep up the great work.

10/20/2026

Keep up the great work. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A7b44swvg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Last night Senior Chief Hernandez and 4 Cadets who attend Union High School had the opportunity to update the Union Board of Education on what they have been doing in the program and share the many successes they have accomplished. Each cadet was presented with a pin for being outstanding students in the district by district staff!!

10/17/2026

What an extraordinary evening at the Missouri Athletic Club as the St. Louis Council of the Navy League of the United States brought together our Navy family, military leadership, veterans, industry partners, Sea Cadets, and community supporters to celebrate 251 years of United States Navy history and service!

As Central Area President, Midwest Region, Navy League of the United States, I was proud to join this celebration and recognize the individuals and organizations that make our Navy League mission possible.

The evening featured a moving performance of our National Anthem by Generald Wilson, a proud Navy veteran whose powerful voice reminds us of the patriotism and sacrifice represented by our flag.

Another particularly meaningful highlight was Boeing’s presentation of the Sea Cadet of the Year Award. Recognizing the accomplishments of these outstanding young Americans demonstrates why supporting youth leadership programs remains such an important part of our Navy League mission.

Having begun my own military journey in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, I know firsthand how mentorship, discipline, and opportunity can shape a young person’s future. Tonight’s recognition reminds us that investing in young leaders today strengthens our nation tomorrow.

It was also a pleasure to spend time with the Command Master Chief of Navy Recruiting Command, formerly the Command Master Chief at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, and so many distinguished members of our Navy community.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the St. Louis Navy League Council, its leadership, the Navy Ball organizing committee, volunteers, and corporate sponsors, including Boeing, for their commitment to our Sailors and Sea Cadets.

Our Navy League councils play an essential role in bringing communities together to support our sea services, recognize outstanding service, and develop future leaders.

Congratulations to everyone who helped make the 2026 St. Louis Navy Ball such a memorable celebration!

Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Navy!

Semper Fortis! ⚓🇺🇸

Tim Raines
Central Area President, Midwest Region
Navy League of the United States

10/14/2026

⚓🇺🇸 What a GREAT evening celebrating the United States Navy’s 251st Birthday in Jefferson City, Missouri!

I had an outstanding time at American Legion Post 5 celebrating our Navy’s birthday with so many wonderful people!

It was a real honor to be invited to speak and share my experiences, especially how my journey began as a young Naval Sea Cadet and how that program helped shape my future and my career in the United States Navy.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with the Sea Cadets, Navy veterans, elected officials, community leaders, Navy League members, and families who came out to support this special celebration.

It was great spending time with:

⚓ Captain Tom Ulmer, USN, Commanding Officer of the University of Missouri NROTC Unit

⚓ Ward Cook, National Secretary of the Navy League of the United States

⚓ Jerry “Ken” Gulledge, CWO4, USN (Ret.), Interim President of the Mid-Missouri Navy League Council

⚓ Sam Bushman, Mid-Missouri Navy League Council

⚓ LCDR Regina Hall, Commanding Officer of the Thomas Jefferson Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps

🇺🇸 Lloyd Miller, Senior Vice Commander of the American Legion Department of Missouri

🙏 Ron Brooks, for offering a meaningful prayer during our Navy Birthday celebration

A special thank-you to the many local elected officials, veterans, volunteers, and community supporters who joined us!

One of the highlights of the evening was seeing the outstanding young men and women of the Thomas Jefferson Division Sea Cadets.

Having started my own journey as a Sea Cadet, I know firsthand what this program can accomplish. The leadership, discipline, confidence, friendships, and opportunities these young people gain can change the direction of their lives.

I remember being in their shoes, participating in color guards, attending training, learning leadership, and developing friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

Now, having the opportunity to give back to the same organization that helped me so many years ago is incredibly rewarding.

Seeing the Thomas Jefferson Division flourish gives me tremendous hope for the future of our Navy, our sea services, and our country!

I am equally excited about the future of the Mid-Missouri Council of the Navy League.

There are great things happening in Jefferson City, and with continued community support, increased membership, stronger partnerships, and dedicated volunteers, we can accomplish even more.

Our Navy League councils play an important role in supporting the men and women of our sea services, but we also have an opportunity and responsibility to invest in the next generation through programs like the Sea Cadets.

As Central Area President of the Navy League’s Midwest Region, I look forward to working with Ken, Sam, Regina, and the entire Mid-Missouri team to help grow the council and expand opportunities for these young people.

The future looks bright in Jefferson City, but continued success depends on all of us getting involved!

If you live in Mid-Missouri, I encourage you to consider joining the Navy League, supporting the Thomas Jefferson Division Sea Cadets, or becoming a community partner.

Please follow the Thomas Jefferson Division Sea Cadets page to see the great things these young people are accomplishing!

Thank you again to everyone for the great conversations, friendships, hospitality, and continued support.

Learn more about the Sea Cadets at https://www.seacadets.org/

Join the Navy League at https://www.navyleague.org/join/

Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Navy! ⚓🇺🇸

Fair winds and following seas!

Join the Navy League and support sea service members, their families and a strong maritime nation through membership and community engagement

10/07/2026

Well done!!! 🇺🇸⚓️

Congratulations to the Sailors, Marines, and every member of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group on being awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary performance during combat operations in Operation Epic Fury.

This recognition is about much more than one ship. A carrier never fights alone. It takes an entire team—the carrier, air wing, destroyers, pilots, aircrew, maintainers, engineers, deck crews, weapons teams, intelligence specialists, radar operators, corpsmen, cooks, logisticians, and thousands of Sailors and Marines working together to accomplish the mission.

During 40 days of combat operations, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group reportedly flew 3,693 combat missions, delivered 1.37 million pounds of ordnance, launched 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles, destroyed hostile drones, missiles, fast-attack craft and warships, and maintained a maritime blockade—all during an extraordinarily demanding deployment that included 265 consecutive days at sea.

Those numbers are impressive, but behind every number is a Sailor or Marine doing their job—often under enormous pressure, far from home and family.

As a retired Sailor, I know what unit awards represent. You don’t earn them individually. You earn them because everyone—from the most junior Sailor to the commanding officer—contributed to something bigger than themselves.

Decades from now, these Sailors and Marines will be able to look at that Presidential Unit Citation on their ribbon racks and remember exactly what they were part of.

Different ships. Different commands. Different jobs. One mission. One team.

Congratulations to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing 9, Destroyer Squadron 21, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), USS Spruance (DDG 111), USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and all the supporting commands and personnel who made the mission possible.

BZ, Shipmates. Well earned!!! 🇺🇸⚓️



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10/06/2026

What a great day at Defending the Homeland — Crossroads Confluence at Washington University in St. Louis!

I was proud to attend representing the Navy League of the United States in my current role as Central Area President, Midwest Region. It was a tremendous opportunity to engage with military leaders, veterans, national security professionals, industry, academia, and community leaders.

There was a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in the room. We heard from an outstanding group of speakers and had excellent conversations about defending the homeland, strengthening our communities, and the role each of us can play in our national security.

Just as important, it was great spending time with fellow veterans, friends, and so many people committed to service. Events like this are valuable not only because of what we learn from the speakers, but because of what we learn from one another.

A special thank you to Shaun and Miriah Broeker for the invitation and for bringing this event together at Washington University. The organization, speakers, and opportunity for discussion made for a fantastic program.

I even managed to get in a little chess with Yassir before the first speaker — a pretty appropriate way to start a day devoted to strategy! ♟️

We also got a preview of what is coming next with Strategy Across the Board: The National Defense Strategy, benefiting the Saint Louis Chess Club and World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries.

Save the date: August 14, 2027, at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. Shaun and Miriah Broeker will serve as event chairs. I’m already looking forward to another great evening bringing together chess, strategy, national security, education, veterans, and the St. Louis community.

Great day. Great people. Great conversations. And a lot learned and shared.

09/23/2026

Get your tickets now.

A Familiar Voice Returns to the 2026 St. Louis Regional Navy Ball
Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Generald Wilson recently captured national attention with another powerful performance of the National Anthem, earning widespread praise and once again sharing a message that has long been central to his performances: unity.

Generald was recently featured by Fox News (wearing a Cardinals jersey! yes, he is local), and I’ve shared the article in the comments below.

That message will have special meaning for us in St. Louis.

On October 16, Generald Wilson will return to the St. Louis Regional Navy Ball to perform the National Anthem as we celebrate the 251st Birthday of the United States Navy.

Many in our Navy community will remember his previous performances at the St. Louis Navy Ball, and we are honored to welcome him back once again.

His remarkable voice, Navy service, and commitment to unity make his return especially meaningful as we gather to celebrate our Navy’s heritage, traditions, and the men and women who have served.

📍 Missouri Athletic Club – Downtown St. Louis
📅 Friday, October 16, 2026

Learn more and register for the 2026 St. Louis Regional Navy Ball:

We look forward to welcoming Generald back to St. Louis for what promises to be another unforgettable performance.

⚓ Happy 251st Birthday, U.S. Navy!

08/20/2026

Battle Stations complete! ⚓️🇺🇸
The 68th Cardinal Company has officially completed Battle Stations! After weeks of hard work, training, teamwork, and determination, these Sailors are one step closer to earning the title they’ve worked so hard for.
We couldn’t be prouder of our Cardinal Company! Keep pushing—you’re almost there! 🔱

08/18/2026

07/08/2026

Congratulations!!!