charlotte sea cadets

2024 Tunnel to Towers, Charlotte

The Unit was invited back again this year to help set up, direct and were the last group to climb the stairs. We are grateful to be a part of such a worthy cause. See www.t2t.org for more information.

12OCT23 - Charlotte Division assisted American Legion Cornelius with a flag retirement ceremony. DAR and SAR were also present.

| Tunnel To Towers Foundation |

Written By: PO3 Shay

The Charlotte Division, part of USNSCC, volunteered at the annual Tunnel to Towers Foundation - Charlotte Climb on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the Museum Tower in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was an early rise and shine event to report at 5:45 am. The cadets assisted in setting up the event by marking off the area where hundreds of people would be running, assembling the food table, hanging up posters made by schools, and placing medals for the runners. Charlotte Division cadets were also allowed to participate in the climb and were awarded event medals for completion. The Tunnel to Towers "Youth Follow the Footsteps Award" was awarded to The Charlotte Division for their dedication to community service during the Tunnel to Towers Foundation annual event. This award is presented yearly to a deserving public safety or military member who has put service to others above themselves. CPO Lehmann accepted the award on behalf of the Charlotte Division. This 765-step run to the 14th floor had people come from all over to raise awareness and money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Charlotte Division is honored to have been able to volunteer and continue to volunteer for the foundation.

Founded by Frank Siller, brother of NY Firefighter Stephen G. Siller. On September 11, 2001, Stephan Siller had finished a night tour and was on his way home to play golf with his brothers at Glenwood Country Club Golf Course in New Jersey when the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later, turning his truck around. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Despite this and determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life along with 11 members of Brooklyn Squad 1 while saving others. A short time later, his brother Frank wanted to honor what Stephen and others did that day and suggested starting a Foundation. His family agreed, and that would be the start of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named after what Stephen did that day. Since 9/11, they have been helping American heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and building homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers Foundation is committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America never forget September 11, 2001.

You can find more information about the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Charlotte Division on their website, https://www.charlotteseacadets.org, or their email address, contact@charlotteseacadets.org. For more information about Tunnel to Towers Foundation, on their website, https://t2t.org, or by phone, (718) 987-1931.

Source Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrmjTygMW9-/?hl=en , https://t2t.org/stephens-story/ , https://t2t.org/9-11-never-forget/frank-siller/

If the first quarter of 2023 is any indication, 2023 is going to be an active and enjoyable year!

The combined drill with USS Yorktown Division in Charleston, SC was a success. The cadets, and adults, came home tired but learned a lot and enjoyed touring the USS Yorktown and spending the night onboard.

The 2023 Spring Fundraiser Raffle kicked off on 18MAR23 and a winner will be drawn at annual banquet. (Check out our support page for more information.)

Cadets have also received new billets and were paired with adult staff for mentorship opportunities.

The Unit is now preparing for a busy second quarter with a region-wide weekend drill in April, annual banquet in May and cadets have already started signing up for summer trainings.

Thank you for your continued support of Charlotte Division!

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Charlotte Division wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope your holiday is filled with love, joy and peace.

2022 had a slow start (cancelled January drill due to illnesses), but picked up speed quickly and Charlotte Division had a very productive year. There was a Command change, in which we welcomed LTjg Ratchford as CO and wished LT DiPasquale well on his new position as Regional Director. We had three successful fundraisers (Spring and Fall raffle & Wreaths Across America) which helped fund many activities.

The cadets participated in:

Monthly drills that included:

·       Naval Instruction & Leadership Classes

·       Blue/Gold Challenges

·       Monthly inspections of different uniforms

·       PRT (Physical Readiness Test)

·       Drill & Color Guard practice

Activities that took place outside of drill:

·       Carolina Cup with the Carolina Battalion

·       Tunnel to Towers

·       Warbirds Over Monroe

·       FOGEX

·       Wreaths Across America

·       Flag Retirement Ceremony with VFW Cornelius Post

We sent 14 cadets and 8 adults to 18 different trainings this year. (Thank you to everyone who worked together to make this happen!)

2022 saw the return of the annual banquet in May, the Parent’s meet & greet in December and we welcomed back several former cadets to speak with the cadets. 

2023 looks to be just as busy and exciting as we start the year off with a combined drill and overnight stay on the USS Yorktown the end of January.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our Unit!