Annual Meeting

April 25

Our first in-person evening meeting since 2020 was a great success, featuring two great speakers as well as the Sea Cadets, plans for the year, and the election of officers.

This meeting was in a new location (Elks #92) and used a new format (early evening instead of dinner), which we plan to try again in the fall.

Officers for 2024

At the annual meeting we approved our council officers for 2024:

President Steve Keith

VP Legislative Affairs Rich Berkowitz

VP Military Affairs Joe Kuzmick

VP Resource Development / Outreach Mark Haller

VP Finance and Budget Heather Raiti

Secretary Heather Raiti

Treasurer Jeff Davis

JAG Hunter Abell

Blue Angels Squadron best in region

Our Blue Angels Squadron of the Sea Cadets was named best unit in the region for 2023. The Sea Cadets are part of how Navy League helps build America's future through successful youth programs.

Congratulations to the Blue Angels Squadron cadets and the volunteer adult leaders who made it happen!

Overall schedule

July 30

Anywhere along the central waterfront will have a front-seat view of the parade of ships entering Elliott Bay. The Coast Guard will present a search-and-rescue demonstration at 12:45, followed by the parade at 1:00.

August 1-4

The hub of Fleet Week activity shifts to Pier 46 South (adjacent to Coast Guard Base Seattle) for the rest of the week, featuring tours of US Navy, US Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy ships, along with music, displays, and information booths.

The Pier 46 display area opens at 9:00 and ship tours open to the public at 10:00 each day.

Navy League Seattle events

In addition to helping coordinate the overall schedule and the Pier 46 displays and activities, we will be hosting a booth at Pier 46 and producing two big events for our visiting shipmates.

July 30: Navy League Reception

Navy League Seattle will host local and visiting sea service units at a reception the first night of Fleet Week, where we will honor outstanding individual sea service members.

August 1-4: Navy League booth at Pier 46

Navy League Seattle will be one of the exhibitors showcasing our work to the public.

August 2: Fleet Week at the Mariners

Navy League Seattle will be hosting about 300 sea service members at T-Mobile Park as the Mariners take on the Phillies.

It takes many volunteers to make all this happen, and we will need your help!

75 years of Seafair!

Since 1950, Seafair has meant summer in Seattle and Fleet Week has been part of it from the beginning.



In addition to Fleet Week events on the waterfront, check out all the Seafair events from June 29 through August 4, including the Amazon Seafair Summer Fourth (July 4), the Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade (July 27), the Seafair Weekend Festival with the airshow (featuring the Blue Angels!) and hydroplane races (August 2-4), and community events all over town.

Briefing Members of Congress

Navy League council members recently contacted 14 Members of Congress and their staffs from the Northwest, including Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives Larsen, Strickland, Smith, and Kilmer. In addition to the Navy League's budget and policy positions, the following Puget Sound issues were discussed:

• Military healthcare shortfalls in Kitsap County and the South Sound
• Concerns regarding pending major military construction projects at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Submarine Base Bangor
• Threats to EA-18G basing at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
• Critical housing and compensation shortage at Naval Station Everett
• Infrastructure needs at Coast Guard Station Seattle

Of note, local Navy League advocacy has influenced Congressional action on health care services at Navy Hospital Bremerton, pending legislation to fund 100% of Basic Allowance for Housing for active-duty military members, and support for continued EA-18G basing and operations on Whidbey Island. 

If you would like to participate in meaningful Congressional advocacy with local and national implications, contact our VP for legislative affairs Rich Berkowitz via communications@navyleagueseattle.org.