News & Events

As we approach 26 years past graduation and commissioning, reminders abound that many of the great Class of 1996 are still carrying the torch and keeping our nation safe. CAPT Dave Pollard is next in line to assume command of USS GEORGE HW BUSH, and will be heading out to sea shortly after for COMPTUEX And deployment. Congratulations, Dave, we’re all looking forward to reading more about your journey!

https://www.dailypress.com/military/dp-nw-bush-captain-retiring-20220513-wzqrw4ta7re6fl3xeq7s4babk4-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2wB7W9JgH_ujh5kSFDT0MrxRbaZ-tt_P6o_xs-A3NIzbrDh-hIklASNxs

Caught in the news recently: our very own distiller, Brian Facquet! Brian was recently named one of City & State’s Agriculture Power 50. We all know how hard Brian works, and if you follow his business ventures, you’ll know he never stops reaching or improving. The journey has been a joy to follow, and we’re proud that he’s achieved this recognition. From Prohibition Distillery {now Do Good Spirits} social media stream:

“From the very beginning our goal as a distillery was to make the best quality spirits possible. And along the way we received some awards for those spirits. But today, our founder Brian won a different type of award. He was named one of City & State’s Agriculture Power 50 for his progressive position as president of the New York State Distillers Guild.

If you see Brian this week, tell him congrats. Oh, and also let him know how good that headshot looks.”

Full article and media listing – City & State, 12 September 2021

Congratulations! Brian was also featured last week as a guest on Craft Spirits Podcast, where he discusses all things distilling, as well as the impetus for the rebrand from Prohibition Distillery to Do Good Spirits.

 

You can also navigate to this podcast directly from within Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Links to Brian’s bio and business story if you’d like to read more about his work.

 

We recently spotted a great article on Clint Tracy in a hometown newspaper, featuring his recent month of Naval Reserve training in Japan as well as what continuing to serve means to him. Another great example of ’96 making an impact both at home and abroad!

Link to article here.

As many of you know, Lucky is a guest columnist for the Pensacola News Journal and has been writing monthly op-eds throughout his tenure as CO, NAS Pensacola. His August column is a fascinating read, regardless of how long you served or in what warfare community. As always, the personal thread woven through solid journalistic prose is masterful. BZ – what a great story!

Link to full article here.

 

The Navy Rugby Alumni Association recently announced this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, which includes 6 players from the men’s and women’s teams, and our own Jen Goddard and Julie Maynard are among them! The Navy Rugby Hall of Fame was established in 2016 with an inaugural class of inductees from the 1960s. Jen and Julie are the first to be honored from the beginning years of the women’s team, and just the second pair of women to be inducted. They will be inducted, along with the rest of the 2021 class, on 10 September. BZ, ladies! This is so awesome, and we are so very proud of you!

What a fitting tribute for a week during which many of us have been simultaneously reminiscing and celebrating the 25th anniversary of our commissioning! On 23 May, Kim Mitchell was recognized by the Library of Congress (LOC) Center for Women Veterans as Woman Veteran of the Week. We are proud of you, Kim!

 

Our own Col. Chris Bopp took command of the new Marine Corps base on Guam on 7 May at the first change-of-command ceremony for Camp Blaz. The installation was commissioned in September and will reportedly receive 5,000 troops in a handoff from Okinawa (III Marine Expeditionary Force) over the next five years. Congratulations, Chris!

Read Stars and Stripes feature article (with photo) here.

Our own CAPT Frank Okata, currently serving over in Italy as Military Sealift Command (MSC) Europe/Africa Commander, made the newswire following a recent four-day exercise with the Tunisian Navy in the Mediterranean. We caught this quote featured yesterday on official U.S. Navy social media. BZ, Frank! Enjoy the rest of your tour over there.

Read the full story here.

 

As many of you know, CAPT Tim Kinsella is the CO of NAS Pensacola and pens a monthly op-ed column in the Pensacola News Journal. In the December column, he offers a historical and seasonal perspective on our challenges today. As we prepare to close the door on 2020 and usher in a new year, may we learn from the hardships we have all endured this year and look inward as we project outward in 2021.

Resilience through immense hardship central to Pensacola’s story | Capt. Tim Kinsella (article here)

Throughout the month of November, I have been featuring classmates here on the website whose lives cross those of other veterans. Mario Gonzalez, Founder and Broker of Navy to Navy Homes in Jacksonville, FL, has certainly done that. Through his link with the Homes for Heroes program, Mario’s business supports all members of the Jacksonville community, in addition to local heroes. Navy to Navy Homes has given over a million dollars to Jacksonville heroes in its less than seven years of existence, earning the accolade of top performer in the country. BZ to Mario! I read his comment on Facebook recently “Just trying to do my part in helping others.” In the spirit of Yoda, I’d say there’s no try about it… you’re helping others, shipmate. I have spoken.

Contact: Mario Gonzalez (904) 900-4766 or mario@navytonavy.com if you are interested in property management, homes sales, or military relocation services in the Jacksonville area.

Press release (Ponte Vedra Recorder) here.

 

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• NavySports.com

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Class of 1996