Hello My Friends and Family and Scouts;

 

Please take a moment and read the attached message from one the kids that was on the Sea Scout Ship Sea Fox (over 20 years ago)

As many of you know I have been involved in this program for more than 40 years.

AND yes, many wonder what the heck am I thinking?

Well, this note below should explain part of that.

 

This note from Dan Dwyer, one of our scouts from the 1980’s helps explain.

We are very proud of our Scout Dan.

Dan came to us like many of our kids, his single mom looking for a place for her child to have a positive influence in his life.

Those influences are for example:

 

            The Skippers:

                                    Merve Stobing        (yes my Dad)

                                    Steve Potter           from Merve’s crew, skipper for 10 years

                                    Don Hodgkin          from Merve’s crew, skipper for 10 years

                                    Barry Hodgkin,       from Merve’s crew, skipper for 10 years

                                    Kevin Flock             from Barry and Donald’s Crew, Skipper for 10 years

                                    Krisie & Heather    from Barry’s crew, CURRENT Skippers and promise of ten years

                                   

The Mates:   too many to count, but you will see he mentions our good friend
George Boot as one of them.

 

It is very nice, and generous of Dan to mention that throughout his life the experience he had in the Sea Fox program influenced his life. So for those of you who supported, played supporting roles (mates, XO’s, Boson, Parent, sponsor, scout executives …)
You will also see that he mentions his wife, Christina (Picinich). Well guess what, Christina was also a Sea Fox crew member.

Thanks to Don Hodgkin for taking the boat Co-Ed years ago.
So much for all the worries that no good would come of girls and boys on the same vessel.

A strong marriage and three beautiful kids!

 

Well thanks for listening.             Dan, thanks for sharing.

 

By the way, many good memories are continuously being loaded on the web to a site I have built and maintained.

WWW.SEAFOX9.COM

Take a look, and if you have photos to share, send me an email and I will get them up for all to see.

 

Chuck Stobing
Committee Chair

SSS Sea Fox, Alameda California


Chuck@Stobing.Com
408.314.6397

 

From: CDR Dan Dwyer

Hello from Afghanistan

 

Hello Chuck,

Dawn sent me an email saying that she had heard from you and also forwarded me your email address.

 

She said that you were still very active in the Sea Fox, still the committee chairman, wow, that is outstanding.  Great to hear that the program is still thriving, providing a great opportunity for young to develop teamwork, learn responsibility and have a lot of fun while doing it. 

 

It seems like such a long time ago, and when I think back at everything that I’ve been lucky enough to do over the last 25+ years, I know I owe it all to the SSS Sea Fox and the great leaders and mentors I had along the way.

 

I’d love to hear what you have been up to since then, as well as everyone else.

 

On a personal side, Christina and I just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary and are currently living in Virginia. 

 

I just went over 20 years military service with the US Navy.  A long and varied career centered around flying the F-18, which had many great experiences along the way.  I’ll spare you the details and enclose my military bio, if you looking for something to read.  Many highlights, to include Commanding a F-18E Super Hornet squadron based in Atsugi Japan assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk.  I had command from May 2006 to Aug 2007.  After my CO tour I was selected to command a Provincial Reconstruction Team for duty on the ground in Afghanistan.  I’ve been on the ground here since March 2008 and will be home in March 2009.  My PRT is responsible for counter insurgency operations in the Kunar province, which is the most eastern province in Afghanistan.  I sleep just 4 miles from the Pakistan border.  Places like the Korengal Valley, Shuryak Valley, Gul Pari, and Wanat, all these places are in the Kunar Province.  My team of 85 soldiers, sailors and PA National Guardsmen are overseeing reconstruction projects of over $85M, including 200 Km of Road, 9 Truck Bridges, Schools, Clinics and even a prison.  Also I’m the principle coalition mentor to the Provincial Governor.  So a job as far removed from being a fighter pilot as you can get.  I roll around the province in HMMVVEs or MRAPs engaging with tribal leaders, and sometimes (without knowing it) possibly the Taliban, bringing projects to strengthen the Afghan government.  A very tough place but very rewarding.

 

Believe it or not, there’s not an experience that has gone by that some part of the Sea Fox prepared me to do.  Whether it was meteorology with Barry, or navigation with George and Donald, or just plain leadership you all instilled in me, it has all been a part of my success.

 

What’s next, in 2009 I’m up for Captain and Air Wing Command, so another huge hurdle.  I’m lucky to have Christina in my life, for with out her and the support she brings on the homefront, I could not have enjoyed the successes I’ve had. 

 

So anyway, please say hello to anyone from the old crew and look forward to running into you and the gang sometime in the near future.

 

All the best,

Dan

 
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE

DAN'S BIO