GREAT LAKES, Ill. – Sailors of the Year from Naval Station Great Lakes and its tenant commands were recognized at a dinner hosted by the Lake County Council of the Navy League on January 25, 2020.
The dinner was part of the council’s annual meeting, wherein Capt. Ray Leung, Naval Station Great Lakes Commanding Officer, was a keynote speaker.
“My thanks to the Navy League,” said Leung. “For more than a century, [they’ve been] a steadfast advocate for the sea services and Sailors both at sea and ashore.”
Leung went on to talk about the key role of the base and its tenant commands. Each of the Sailors of the Year were recognized by the League and Leon Rockingham Jr., mayor of North Chicago, presented them with a miniature brass Lone Sailor statue.
“I appreciated being honored at this event as it was a way of rewarding well deserving Sailors and showcasing The Navy League’s appreciation for all the work we do,” said Operations Specialist 1st Class Brittany Hadley, Naval Station Great Lakes’ Sailor of the Year. “This gave everyone being honored the boost to keep charging and building a better Navy through the Sailors we lead.”
The Navy League is a citizens’ organization geared toward serving, supporting, and standing with all U.S. sea services. Lake County Council previously has worked with local commands on the Navy Ball and Toys for Tots as well as sponsoring the Sea Cadets program.
“I’d like to thank the support we get from all of the commands in representing you as well as sharing these honors with you all,” said Kevin Smith, the Navy League Lake County Council’s president. “We look forward to seeing these commands again next year, seeing them quarterly, and at Recruit Training Command every week. It’s a great opportunity to serve at will and do these things with you.”
