SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Sailors and Marines from ship and shore commands tapped as top performers for 2004 are to be honored Saturday at the second annual Sailor/Marine of the Year Banquet, sponsored by the U.S. Navy League Council, Sasebo Chapter.
Rear Adm. Victor Guillory, commander of Amphibious Group One, is to be guest speaker at the event, which is to take place from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Harbor View Club.
More than 250 members of the base and local communities are expected to attend, said Navy League Council officials.
Sasebo’s Navy League sponsored the first such banquet in 2004, the first year the local organization existed.
More than 200 people attended that inaugural event.
“The attendance will be higher this year, because there are more members of the Japanese community planning to come,” said Gerald C. Havens, chapter president.
Havens said participating commands select senior and junior sailors of the year ranked E-6 and below, blue jackets (E-3 and below) of the year and Marine of the year, all to be honored at the banquet.
For the purposes of these awards, Havens said, sailors are designated senior or junior at their unit commanders’ discretion.
In addition to the meal, each honoree receives a special Navy League plaque, letter of commendation and custom commemorative glasses donated by the Sasebo Wardroom Association, Havens added.
“The focus of the entire event is on the servicemembers,” he said. “It’s ... all about those who serve showing characteristics that make them the best in their commands.”
The Ernest J. King High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will provide the color guard for the event; later in the evening, it’s to perform a silent rifle drill exhibition.
The Navy League describes itself as a military-oriented association of civilians dedicated to educating citizens and elected officials about maritime military service and supporting those in the sea services and their families.
Sasebo’s young organization, already the largest Navy League chapter of any overseas location, has 55 American and 33 Japanese civilian members.
“Recognition is one of the most important parts of leadership,” Havens said.
“Appreciation shown for the work these servicemembers do,” he added, “is the key to motivation and sustained superior performance.”
Banquet tickets are $30 for civilians and military rated E-7 and above, $25 for military rated E-6 and below and free for the honorees.
Call DSN 252-3109 for additional ticket or event information.
Sailor/Marine of Year honorees
As of Friday afternoon, the following servicemembers from ship and shore commands at Sasebo Naval Base, as well as a sailor from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, were slated to receive honors based on their 2004 job performances. The Sailor/Marine of the Year Banquet, from 5:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. Saturday, recognizes honorees categorized as senior or junior sailors, blue jackets (rated E-3 or below) or enlisted Marine:
Navy Branch Health Clinic: Petty Officer 1st Class Maureen Barrymore (senior sailor), Petty Officer 2nd Class Lorenzo Branch (junior sailor) and Petty Officer 3rd Class Derek Krause (blue jacket).Amphibious Group One: Petty Officer 1st Class Karen Jasper (senior).Amphibious Squadron 11: Petty Officer 1st Class Jamie Clark (senior), Petty Officer 2nd Class Sharon McQueen (junior).Command Task Force 76, U.S. Marine Detachment: Sgt. Matthew Simon (enlisted Marine of the year).USS Juneau: Petty Officer 1st Class Marion Knight (senior), Petty Officer 2nd Class Otis Friday (junior), Petty Officer 3rd Class Pablo Rodriguez (blue jacket).USS Harpers Ferry: Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Kennedy (senior), Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Reese (junior).USS Fort McHenry: Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Myers (senior), Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffery Kohn (junior).USS Patriot: Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Tucker (senior), Petty Officer 2nd Class David Wages (junior).USS Safeguard: Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Pelayo (senior), Seaman Eliezer Serrano (junior).USS Blue Ridge: Petty Officer 1st Class Jasen Williams (senior), Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Kendle (junior).Surgical Team Seven: Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Barcelona (senior).Sasebo Naval Base (shore command): Petty Officer 1st Class Clinton Shuhart (senior), Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen Thaggard (junior).Assault Craft Unit One (LCUs): Petty Officer 1st Class Dean Kelley (senior).Assault Craft Unit Five (LCACs): Petty Officer 1st Class Leonard Pope (senior), Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Lojkutz (junior).Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography: Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Matthews (senior).Armed Forces Network: Seaman Darrin Russ (senior).Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40: Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Nelson (senior).Fleet Industrial Supply Center: Petty Officer 3rd Class Laddy Rua (junior).Personnel Support Division: Petty Officer 1st Class Renaldo Giron (senior).Customer Service Desk, Iwakuni: Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Roxas (senior).USS Essex: All honorees have transferred.Source: U.S. Navy League Council, Sasebo Chapter
