2020
Naval Sea Cadet Sierra Desmond holds the sword that was given to NROTC Midshipman First Class Nicholas Sorrell, a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Photo by Diane Carey
Sword ceremony done virtually
By Diane M. Carey Hometown News
It may have been done online, but the Vice Admiral Wilkinson Memorial Sword presentation was still impressive.
Sierra Desmond, a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. presented the sword to Nicholas Ethan Sorrell, a graduating Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student. The official sword transfer event was April 23.
Each spring at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at ERAU, a Navy or Marine officer’s sword is presented to the leading graduating midshipman.
ERAU's Naval ROTC is one of the largest in the country, according to Ray Huther, a staff member of the Sea Cadets Daytona Division.
The first executive officer was Commander Janet Marnane, a Naval Flight Officer and an assistant professor at ERAU where she teaches a variety of aviation related courses. In the 1950s, the Navy wanted a youth organization and the Navy League councils were asked to start up and sponsor units in their areas.
“The US Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a national youth leadership development organization that promotes interest and skill in naval disciplines while instilling strong moral character and life skills through leadership and technical programs modeled after the Navy’s professional development system,” Mr. Huther stated in an email. “Cadets must attain physical standards for their age and maintain good grades in school. There is absolutely no obligation to join the Navy or Marines.”
The Daytona Beach Area Council of the Navy League of the United States supports the Sea Cadets.
Deltona resident Sierra Desmond, 12, who presented the sword, is in the seventh grade at Heritage Middle School with a 4.0 GPA.
“When I was three, I was in foster care and my sister, my brother and I were all adopted to my present family,” Sierra said. “I joined the Sea Cadets when I was 10. Even though I am very young, I am thinking about my future and the Sea Cadets are playing a very important role in my future. Right now, I think I want to be in the military, be a nurse and be involved in aviation.”
She is a a Petty Officer 1st Class. Her achievements include earning ribbons in Community Service and the Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal. She trained at the U.S. Navy National Flight Academy at Pensacola Air Station last summer.
“The top three things I like most about the Sea Cadets are PT (physical training), learning leadership skills, and the outstanding opportunities available to me. Without the Sea Cadets I don’t know what I would do with my life. I plan on being in the military.”
In addition to being a League Cadet she also plays the clarinet and has volunteered with the Special Olympics Unified Team in swimming and bowling.
Sierra’s father, Robert Desmond, said, “The Sea Cadets are a great organization (particularly for) anybody that wants to learn about leadership, especially at a young age. We’re extremely proud of Sierra and her accomplishments. She’s a hard worker, she’s dedicated. How many 12-year -old’s get to create a flight plan, learn how to communicate with the tower, and then get in an actual multi-million-dollar simulator? That’s an experience you can only get through the Sea Cadets, because it’s officially part of the U.S. Navy. It’s the only youth program sanctioned by Congress.”
Sword recipient Nicholas Sorrell, 22, is originally from Valley, Ala., but now resides in Daytona Beach.
“I will be commissioning as an Ensign in May,” he said. “I was lucky enough to be selected as a Student Naval Aviator, and will be reporting to flight school in Pensacola after graduation. My longtime career goals have always been to join the Navy and become a pilot, so I am well on my way to meeting those goals!”
Besides Midshipman Sorrell, awards also were presented to Midshipman Second Class Noah Mussin-Phillips for the Navy League Military Award and Midshipman First Class Mikaela Frias for the Navy League Academic Award.
For more information about the Sea Cadets, visit dabseacadets.com. For more information about ERAU’s NROTC program, visit daytonabeach.erau.edu/rotc/naval.
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Past Events
2018
February 11, 2018 Navy League at the Clash
Thanks to a generous donation of a suite at Daytona International Speedway by Pierce Mfg. Company, an Oshkosh Corporation Company, the Daytona Beach Area Council will be at the Clash race on February 11th at the Speedway.
2017
December 16
Christmas Party. Toys For OUR Tots. Details TBD
November 10
Deland Naval Air Museum dinner dance. Deland National Guard Armory.
October TBD
Fourth Fleet awards at Halifax Yacht Club. Dinner. Awaiting word on very special guest speakers.
October 10
Tour at Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, home to the Navy Atlantic Coast ballistic-missile submarines. Despite recent cancellations Council will continue planning for this event. Tours and ship visits are not priority events for the Navy especially with the activity going on with NK and in the eastern Med.
September TBD
August
Planning begins for DIS suites (2) donated for Speed Weeks 2018
July 27
Captain Wm. McGonagle Memorial Library project. Books delivered to Fourth Fleet and CG Station Mayport.
June and July
Sea Cadets attended week-long training in various subjects and programs at several military and civilian sites in Florida and other state? Scholarship funds for this valuable youth training are always appreciated.
July 1
Sailors from crews 114 and 115 (LCS Squadron Two) attend the Coke Zero 400 at DIS. Arranged for NASCAR Troops-to-the-Track program.
June 30
Sailors from USS Lessen (DDG 82), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USCG Stations Ponce and Port Canaveral, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and LCS Squadron Two crews 114 and 115 attends the Xfinity race at DIS. Arranged for NASCAR Troops-to-the-Track program.
June 27
The Council presented 2nd Qtr SOQ awards to three US Fourth Fleet/Southern Command sailors.
June 27
Captain Wm. McGonagle Memorial Library project. Books delivered to: DESRON 14, Fourth Fleet and CG Station Ponce.
June 22
The Council honored USCG SOQ and SOY personnel from Coast Guard Station Ponce at a poolside Luau at the Halifax River Yacht Club.
January 6
Date TBD – 3 day 2 night bus trip to Pensacola. Feature is the U.S. Naval Air Museum. Blue Angel practice sessions are open to the public at various times when they are between demonstrations.
2016
May Annual Fund Raiser
Golf Tournament at LPGA. Proceeds utilized for supporting our troops (see Who We Support). Eighty-five year old Navy veteran won the $2500 golf ball-drop raffle.
May 11
Tour at Submarine Base Kings Bay Georgia, home to the Navy Atlantic Coast ballistic-missile submarines. Cancelled by the Navy. Rescheduled for October
May 8 NROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Several members attended. All members are invited.
April 30
Sailors from E2D squadron VAW 123 (Screwtops) attended the Monster Energy Cup race at Richmond, VA. Â Arranged for NASCAR Troops-to-the-Track program.
April 22 Naval Air Museum Deland
The Council presented certificates of appreciation to eleven members of the Redeemers, a group of students from ERAU (not in the NROTC) who helped with other volunteers and museum members, to restore a WWII TBF Avenger. All students spoke. It is worth noting a comment by one of three French grad students involved on why he got involved. In so many words he said America came to France twice and I wanted to participate in restoring this WWII aircraft for America.
April 21
Luncheon with the Coast Guard rescheduled to June
ERAU NROTC Color Parade This event include the Council’s presentation of an officer sword to the leading graduating midshipman and the presentation of two other awards – one for academics and one for all-around performance.
April 15
Annual baseball game and picnic at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Our Sea Cadet Color Guard presented the colors for this outing as they do every year.
April 7
Several members of the Council participated in and attended the commissioning ceremony for LCS Crew 115 at Naval Station Mayport. Â At the event, Dennis Dickerson presented Commanding Officer Roberto Dumlao of LCS Crew 115 with a plaque indicating the adoption of LCS Crew 115 by the Council. Â Conversely, the Council received a plank owner certificate from LCS Crew 115.
March 26
Sailors from USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), homeport San Diego, attends the Monster Energy Cup race in Fontana, California.  Arranged sailors for NASCAR’s Troops-to-the-Track program.
March 24 – Tour the USS New York (LPD 21)
Forty members and guests went aboard the amphibious assault ship the USS New York (LPD 21) to make presentations for the New York Council to sailors recognized for special achievements within the past two quarters and those recognized as sailors of the year 2016. A two-hour tour of the ship followed the presentations.
March 16
Tour at Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, home to the Navy’s Atlantic Coast ballistic-missile submarines. Cancelled by the Navy. Rescheduled for May.
February 26
Sailors from USS Lassen (DDG 82) attend the Daytona 500. Arranged for NASCAR’s Troops-to-the-Track program.
February 20 – US Naval Sea Cadet Corps
The Daytona Division visited Washington D.C. (February 16 to 20). Thanks to all who contributed to this educational experience for the Daytona Beach Navy League’s Sea Cadet program.
February 18 – Speedway suite fundraiser
Daytona International Speedway (DIS). A donated High-Banks suite for the Clash at Daytona (in past years the Sprint Unlimited) provided the venue for the first of the two Navy League 2017 fund raisers. Proceeds will be utilized for supporting our troops (see Who We Support).
February 16 to 20
US Naval Sea Cadet Corps Daytona Division visited Washington D.C.
January 25 – Volusia County Marine Recruiter-of-the- Year (ROY)
The League honored the 2016 Volusia County Marine Recruiter-of-the- Year (ROY) Sgt Lucas A. Moore USMC at a luncheon at the Tomoka Brewing Company.
January 25
The League honored the 2016 Volusia County Marine Recruiter-of-the- Year (ROY) SSgt Lucas A. Moore USMC at a luncheon at the Tomoka Brewing Company.
January 19 – Naval Station Mayport 1030 hrs
Members and guests toured the new Littoral Combat Ship USS Detroit (LCS 5). At 1300 hours all attended the commissioning ceremonies for LCS Crew 114. That was followed by the adoption of LCS Crew 114 (the Iron Horses) by the Daytona Beach Navy League. A reception followed.
January 19
Naval Station Mayport 1030 hrs. – Members and guests toured the new Littoral Combat Ship USS Detroit (LCS 5). At 1300 hours all attended the commissioning ceremonies for LCS Crew 114. That was followed by the adoption of LCS Crew 114 (the Iron Horses) by the Daytona Beach Navy League. A reception followed.
Note: LCS Squadron Two will be using Blue/Gold manning (like the ballistic-missile submarines), hence the crew adoptions.
January 7
Sea Cadets pinned two chiefs (both eleven graders NSB H.S.) PO1 Brandon Sharrow and PO1 Chas Rodgers at a ceremony during a scheduled drill at Coast Guard Station Ponce. It is unusual for a Sea Cadet organization to have a cadet become chief. Sharrow and Rodgers are the Daytona Division’s third and fourth cadets to reach that rate.
2015
December 31
NASCAR now using previously secured Council contacts for their Troops-to-the-Track program for races at tracks in Chicago, Martinsville, Bristol and Charlotte.
December 19 – Attended NROTC Fall CommissioningSeveral members attended the ERAU NROTC Fall Commissioning ceremony.
December 12 – Presentation of CertificatesPresented Sailors-of-the-Quarter (SOQ’s) and Sailors-of-the-Year (SOY’s) framed certificates (each with $100) to nine Fourth Fleet enlisted personnel.
December 12 – Toys for OUR TotsDelivered over seventy toys to the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) for eleven children in nine families (Toys-for-OUR-Tots).
December 8 – Presentation of CertificatesMembers attended the ERAU NROTC Battalion Change-of-Command and presented framed certificates (and $100) to two midshipmen. One for Superior Academic Performance and the other for Superior All-Around Performance. The former was commissioned on December 19th.
December 2 – Luncheon Navy RecruiterLuncheon honored the Navy Recruiter of the year (ROY) PO 1 Isaias Ojeda USN), finalized the collection of Toys-for-OUR-Tots and recognized widows of former Navy League members.
2016
NASCAR now using previously secured Council contacts for their Troops-to-the-Track program for races at tracks in Chicago, Martinsville, Bristol and Charlotte
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