Who We Are
For more than a century, the Navy League of the United States has supported and advocated for the Sea Services. Formed in 1902 at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy League’s goals are:
- To foster and maintain interest in a strong Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine as integral part of a sound national defense and vital to the freedom of the United States.
- To serve as a means of educating and informing the American people with regard t the role of Sea Power in the nuclear age and the problems involved in maintaining strong defenses in this age.
- To improve the understanding, appreciate and recognition of those who wear the uniform of our armed forces and to better the conditions under which they live and serve.
- To provide support and recognition for the Sea Service Reserve Forces in our communities in order that we may continue to have a capable and responsive Maritime Reserve Community.
- To educate and train our youth in the customs and traditions of the Navy, Marine Corps, the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines through the means of an active and vigorous Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
The Navy League of the United States, Hampton Roads most visible programs is the sponsoring and support for the commissioning of new vessels into the Sea Services. Our contribution to a ship commissioning begins long before the vessel ever goes into the water. We work with the shipbuilder and other contractors to lay out a program of the ship commissioning that will be supportive of the ship and crew, awareness in the community and most important, legally allowable for all parties concerned.
Our goals are to provide funding for ship enhancements that improve the quality of life for all sailors who serve aboard CVN 79. These enhancements are not funded by the Department of Defense. Improvements and additions to areas such as the ship library, fitness equipment, computers and software for the ship's learning center, ship's chapel. The ship's tribute room honoring the namesake of the ship and many other areas that make a significant difference to our service members.
One of the prominent programs of the Navy League of the United States, Hampton Roads, is to sponsor and support the commissioning of new vessels into the Sea Services. Our involvement begins well before the ship touches water, collaborating with the shipbuilder and contractors to ensure a supportive commissioning program for the ship and crew, community awareness, and adherence to legal requirements.
We aim to secure funding for ship enhancements that enhance the quality of life for sailors serving aboard CVN 79. These improvements, which fall outside the Department of Defense's budget, encompass upgrades to the ship's library, fitness equipment, computers and software for the ship's learning center, the ship's chapel, and the tribute room honoring the ship's namesake, among other areas that significantly impact our service members.
Due to its proximity to Huntington Ingalls/Newport News Shipyard and Naval Station Norfolk, the Hampton Roads Navy League has extensive experience in contributing to unique moments in Navy history during ship commissionings. With over 28 supported commissionings, including 6 aircraft carriers, our efforts also involve endowing a scholarship for the families of service members serving aboard CVN 79.
Through various events, programs, and activities, the Navy League Hampton Roads has a strong history of supporting the Sea Services. We are proud to be a part of the legacy of USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). Your support is vital, and we are here to address any queries you may have. The Navy League is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization incorporated in Virginia.
This website aims to raise awareness about this significant milestone for the United States Navy and provide financial support for quality-of-life enhancements aboard CVN 79. Our primary mission is to advocate for robust maritime defense. Your participation is crucial to our success and will be duly acknowledged.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the men and women who will serve aboard this vessel for years to come.
Commissioning the USS John F. Kennedy
BY MARYELLEN BALDWIN
April 2023
WWW.SEAPOWERMAGAZINE.ORG
The Navy League is known for many things, from this magazine to the annual Sea-Air-Space exposition in the Washington, D.C. area. Throughout the nation and the world, Navy League councils provide a voice for America’s sea services. Behind the scenes, there are also a set of programs and efforts in place to positively affect the lives of
sailors, marines, coast guardsman, and merchant mariners while they are aboard the ship.
One of the most important efforts is ship enhancements.
"NOW MORE THAN EVER OUR CITIZENRY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THESE SHIPS OF WAR AND DIPLOMACY."
Navy League-provided ship enhancements add some character and context to a warship, which exerts its presence through port visits and other peaceful pursuits. The ship enhancements are all made possible through private donations and endowments, with no taxpayer monies. This said, the story of how the Navy League makes these enhancements a reality illustrates how the public can make a difference for service personnel on duty far from home.
Improving Life at Sea
As taxpayers, we pay for incredible warships to be built to last for years to come. The Navy League, on the other hand, helps to improve the quality of life aboard those ships. Building out the library, chapel (or both), or providing state-of-the-art exercise equipment, upgrades to the chief’s and crew mess, coffee shop, ceremonial quarterdeck, and tribute/ceremonial room are a few of the areas that impact the crew.
The process of adding ship enhancements to a warship like the upcoming USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) begins years ahead of time and is part of the larger process of ship commissioning, which is sponsored and organized by local Navy League councils.
Here in Hampton Roads, our council has commissioned 28 ships to date that have included seven aircraft carriers. Working on the 29th commissioning in support of the iconic USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is another milestone opportunity.
To further honor the command, we’ve established an endowed scholarship to benefit family members of the Naval aviation community. As with past aircraft carriers we’ve commissioned, we’ve teamed with the Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation to administer an annual scholarship.
Raising funds is always a challenge. But those contributions will impact the crew who serve aboard for the next fifty years.
Faith in Our Sea Services
There is another important story to tell: the importance of the sea services to our national defense and our shipbuilding industry.
It is a story of honor, courage, and commitment to our service members, their families, and the industry that surrounds our military needs. For more than a century, the Navy League has kept the faith in our sea services and the nation it serves. Even when America was not interested in listening, the Navy League has endeavored to keep its message of sea power’s influence in the public conversation, so that the United States can sustain itself as the preeminent maritime power.
The ship commissioning for USS John F Kennedy (CVN79) is scheduled for 2025. We ask all individuals and businesses to become part of Navy history and join us in the commissioning of what will be the second Ford class USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).
Navy League of the United States, Hampton Roads welcomes your input, and you can learn more at our commissioning website: jfkcvn79commissioning.org.
Contribute to
USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) Commissioning
The Navy League's sole purpose is to fund what the Government does not. All contributions will enhance the quality of life for all those who will serve aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).