FLORIDA FIRST COAST COMMANDERY
Jacksonville, Florida
Naval Order of the United States
Join us for the 2026 CONGRESS in Pensacola, FL Novemeber 2024
JAX Home - First Coast Commandery Calendar -
JAX 2017 NOUS Congress Summary
Remember the Sacrifices /Celebrate Freedom!!!!!
MISSION
To preserve, promote, celebrate and enjoy our Nation’s Sea Service history and heritage. To accomplish this we will:
Commemorate American Sea Service Heroes and important historical events,
Support the study of Naval History through writing, speaking and educational events,
Preserve Sea Service historical artifacts, documents and monuments, and
Promote Camaraderie among our Companions and members of similar organizations
First Coast contact email is nousfc@gmail.com ; Like us on Twitter @nousfc
Visit our National Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NavalOrderUnitedStates
LEADERSHIP
Commander: CAPT Robert “Bob” Buehn, USN, (Ret)
Vice Commander - Vacant
Vice Commander - Programs: Vacant
Vice Commander - Membership: CAPT Gregory F. Streeter, USN (Ret)
Vice Commander - Enlisted Affairs: ETCM (SW) John R. Craft, USN (Ret)
USS Stark Memorial: Nick Norfleet, USN (Vet) / CAPT Bob Whitkop, USN (Ret)
Treasurer: LCDR Frank Fenno, USN (Ret)
Asst Treasurer: CAPT Bob Whitkop, USN (Ret) Past NOUS Commander General
Chaplain: CDR Reverend Steven Souders, USN, CHC, (Ret)/ LT, USCG Aux
Historian/History Day Coord: Dr Dick Murphy, PhD (Ret)
Immediate Past Commander: ETCM (SW) John R. Craft, USN (Ret)
Jacksonville Ship Museum Liaison: CAPT John E. O’Neil, Jr., USN (Ret) Past First Coast Commander
Commandery Advisory Council: RADM George Huchting, USN (Ret); CAPT Gregory F. Streeter, USN (Ret) Past Commander General NOUS; CAPT Michelle Lockwood, USN (Ret) Past Commander General NOUS
Commandery Companions: VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret); RADM Ron Fritzmeyer, USN (Ret); CAPT Jim Morgan, USN (Ret); CAPT Ryan Tillotson, USN (Ret)
EVENTS
NOUS Florida First Coast Commandery Annual OPLAN 2026
Co-host of the 2026 NOUS CONGRESS in Pensacola FL Nov 4-8!
Gather every Friday 0800 at Panera’s on Beach Blvd and Hodges in Target Shopping Center…..
November
4-7 2026 Naval Order Congress - Pensacola FL
20 Informal Social / Veterans’ United Draft Brewery, 1500-1800
28 Electric Boat Parade and Fireworks / Dowbtown Jax
December
5 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Dinner, 1730-2100, Dinner Start 1815
$40 pp / Choice of Prime Rib or Grilled Salmon / Cypress Sald / Asparagus / Scalloped Potatoes / Desert: Choc Mousse
Cypress Village Retirement Community
Guest Speaker: VADM Brendan McLane, USN (Ret) Former Commander US Naval Surface Forces
For Info on any events or plans call (904)442-6948 or e-mail: nousfc@gmail.com
Looking for Additional Inputs and ideas for 2026-7!!!
Pay Your Local Dues HERE!
Commandery News
USS Stark Memorial
Each year on or about 17 May the Naval Order First Coast Commandery and Naval Station Mayport hold a memorial service to remember and commemorate the sacrifices of the crew members of USS Stark on 17 May 1987
You can reflect on the event and the crew through the USS Stark memorial website at:
www.ussstarkmemorial.com
The Navy History Command has produced a short video about the USS Stark (FFG-31) Attack as part of their display called “The History of the US Navy in 100 Objects”. Stark was homeported in Mayport FL and is remembered in a ceremony each May 17!
Help us bring attention to and restore the SS El Faro Memorial located at the Dames Point Memorial Park in Jacksonville. The El Faro was lost at sea Oct 1, 2015 during a hurricane north of Puerto Rico with all 33 souls onboard. The memorial keeps their memory alive. See the link below to donate to ththis and other efforts by the Commandery to preserve History!
The Florida First Coast Commandery Welcomed the USS Orleck (DD-886) to downtown Jacksonville as a Museum Ship on 3/26/22. Congratulations to the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association and in Particular our Companion CAPT John O’Neal (JHNSA Exec Dir) for the dedication and perseverance to make this happen!!!
USS Orleck is open for Visitors and Events - www.jaxnavalmuseum.org
The efforts to move the USS Barry Stern Plate to the Navy Training Center at Great Lakes IL for permanent display have been completed. Many thanks to donors through the Naval Order Foundation for your support of the Stern Plate project! The sternplate is on display in the lobby of the Exchange facility at the Great Lakes Training Center.
JU NROTC is home to the Bell from USS ShangriLa - see story at JU Wave OnLine
Volunteer to help us promote Naval History in Northeast Florida! We will be working on a History Essay Contest as our Naval History Day Contest is planned to start with the new school year; Historic markers at NS Mayport; Restoring the El Faro Memorial at the Dames Point Memorial Park; Establishing a History Trail for the city; Promoting History events ICW the Jax Historical Society and Museum of Science and History (MOSH); and providing Educational services onboard the Orleck and at our meetings!!! Call or e-mail if you’d like to help!
Contact Dr Dick Murphy, USMC(Vet) at dmurphy904@gmail.com or CAPT Bob Whitkop at nousfc@gmail.com
Our presentation by CAPT Michelle Lockwood, USN(Ret) Past Commander General Naval Order of the United States on the Topic: ‘Expand Your Carbon Footprint’
Press here to review or download the copy of the Presentation as it was not recorded
The late LCDR Ben Nichols, USN (Ret) presentation to the FFC Naval Order can be viewed here:
See recorded Discussion Here!
All Companions are invited to attend any and all Commandery events. Any questions email Bob Buehn or Bob Whitkop at nousfc@gmail.com
JAX Home - First Coast Commandery Calendar