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The Mission of The Commanders Club of Michigan

To promote the best interests of the state, particularly in the area of water safety, water recreational facilities, boating facilities and improved marine recreational development.

To assist in the promotion and expansion of recruiting, training and educational facilities of marine oriented associations such as the Sea Cadets, Naval Reserve, U.S. Power Squadron and similar marine oriented groups.

To cooperate with and to promote activities of the United States Navy by full cooperation with the Navy League and its programs.

To develop and promote an organization available to carry out any civilian functions requested by proper authority.

History of The Commanders Club of Michigan

Authority for The Commanders Club of Michigan

The Commanders Club of Michigan (the Club) can trace its’ roots back to the Michigan Naval Militia. Michigan Public Act 184 of 1893 established a Michigan Naval Militia. The Act provided for “the enrollment, organization, equipment, maintenance and discipline of the Naval Militia of the state.” The Michigan Naval Militia served aboard the USS Yosemite in the Spanish American War and participated in the Third Battle of San Juan. During World War I, the Naval Militia manned Naval railway battery crews on the western front with mounted 14 inch naval guns on mobile railway cars. During the 1930's the US Congress finalized the split between federal reserves and state militias. In Michigan, the authorities and funding of the Naval Militia gradually waned, but Public Act 184 of 1893 was never fully repealed. In 1962, with an eye toward recognizing the Naval Militia, Governor John B. Swainson met with business leaders, political leaders, and state officials around Michigan to form The Commanders Club of Michigan. The Club was incorporated as a 501(3)C non-profit in 1967, and futher validated in 1969 by Governor William Milliken, who amended Section 33.33 and formally connected the Militia with the Club. Since that time the two terms have been used synonymously, the Michigan Naval Militia still exists in Michigan Law, and has an important mission to support the maritime in the state. Act 380 of 1965 established the Department of Military Affairs (now the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs), and the Michigan Naval Militia was transferred to their authority. In 1969, an amendment rewrote Section 33.33 as follows: "The governor may issue honorary commissions at his pleasure to individuals who will promote the best interestes of the state, particularly in the area of water safety, water recreational facilities, boating facilities and improved marine recreational development and assist in the promotion and expansion of recruiting, training and educational facilities of marine oriented associations."

Activities

From the beginning of the CDRs Club, its’ members have been active in upholding the mission it was charged with. The following are major activities the CDRs Club has been involved with:

October 1965: Commissioning of the 106-foot yacht “Helene” as the official Flagship of the Commanders Club of Michigan, by the authority of Governor George W. Romney. Participating in the commissioning were Governor John B. Swainson, Detroit Mayor Jerome P. Cavanaugh, and leaders from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.

December 1966: The CDRs Club began advising and financially assisting the Navy League of the United States Sea Cadets (United States Division) in Lansing and more recently the Sea Cadets (Michigan Commanders Battalion) in Grand Rapids.

CDR Pellerito was the key person in establishing the Michigan Commanders Battalion.

March 1969: Initiated action with the Michigan Legislature to establish the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, MI.

September 1970: Initiated action with the United State Navy to have a $1.2 billion Trident Submarine ( named after the State of Michigan).

September 1976: Provided a memorial plaque to commemorate the Captain and crew of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The plaque was presented to the mayor of Sault Ste Marie, MI and is on display at the Information Center at the Soo Locks. The ceremony took place in the Governors Room at the State Capitol and was officiated by Governor William G. Milliken.

In 1992: Commanders flew to Naval Station Puget Sound near Seattle, WA on a C-130 transport plane to participate in maneuvers on board the nuclear submarine USS Michigan.

In 2012: The CDRs Club received a resolution from the State of Michigan – House of Representatives commemorating the Commanders Club of Michigan on its’ 50th anniversary.

In 2018: The CDRs Club received a letter from Governor Snyder on the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Michigan Naval Militia.

Supporting the Lansing Navy and Marine Corp Reserve Center/NOSC.

Members of the CDRs Club have attended commissioning ceremonies for these U.S. Navy ships:

     USS Freedom (LCS-1)     

     USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77)

     USS Milwaukee (LCS-5)

     USS Detroit (LCS-7)

     USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

     USS Little Rock (LCS-9)

     USS Sioux City (LCS-11)

The CDRs Club was instrumental in the purchase of the Fresnel Lens at the Michigan Historical Museum.

Members of the CDRs Club have assisted with the establishment of legislation in water safety and boating controls in and on the Great Lakes.

Since its’ inception, members of the CDRs Club have assisted with the recruiting efforts of the U.S. Navy by sitting on advisory councils.

The CDRs Club has assisted in placing graduating Sea Cadets into the U.S. Armed Services Academies and in the U.S. Armed Services.

Members of the CDRs Club attended and participated in graduation ceremonies at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois.

Members of the CDRs Club have hosted visiting U.S. Navy flag officers.

Members of the CDRs Club have been invited to visit U.S. Navy vessels operating on the Great Lakes.

Members of the CDRs Club have also participated in such activities as the U.S. Coast Guard parade in Grand Haven, MI, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard Change-of-Command ceremonies, visiting Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, visiting the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, participating in other U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard activities, attending air shows in Michigan, and attending, as guests of the Adjutant General, the Social and Pass & Review at the Michigan National Guard Training facility in Grayling, MI.

Governor:

Gretchen Whitmer

Adjutant General:

MG Paul Rogers

Executive Officers:

Commanding Officer: CAPT Thom Burke

Executive Officer: CDR Scott Pellerito

Treasurer: CDR John Kramer

Secretary: CDR David Keim

Board of Directors:

Until September 30, 2025

CDR John Prelesnik


CDR Dan Davis


CAPT Tim Kennedy

Until September 30, 2026

CDR Craig Gleason

CDR Jon Baker

CDR Greg Pell

Until September 30, 2027

CDR Pamela Keim

Staff Officers:

PAO: CDR Pamela Keim

ID Card Officer: CDR Scott Pellerito

Webmaster: Laura Burke

Administrative Assistant: Amanda Oboza

Past Commander-In-Chief:

CDR Walter W. Soderman  (62-63-64)

CDR John Gafner  (65-66)

CDR James P. Dunnian  (67-68)

CDR William A. Wickham  (69)

CDR Melvin A. Herr  (70)

CDR Don F. Phillips  (71)

CDR John E. Cataldo  (72)

CDR John E. Verbiest  (73)

CDR Martin Wynalda  (74)

CDR Allan V. Cooke  (75)

CDR R. Palmer Carr  (76)

CDR Ronald E. Reed, Sr.  (77)

CDR Paul A. Ward  (78)

CDR Malcolm L. Milks  (79)

CDR John O. Dykstra  (80)

CDR Frederick C. Brown  (81)

CDR Richard N. Wright  (82)

CDR Fred W. Stuckenberg  (83)

CDR Frank A. Tegge  (84)

CDR Carl E. Thelen  (85)

CDR Thomas R. Bouman  (86)

CDR D. Dean Watkins  (87)

CDR William A. Burgess  (88)

CDR Jerry L. Johnson  (89)

CDR William C. Childress  (90)

CDR John W. Prelesnik  (91)

CDR Arthur T. Kelsey  (92)

CDR Daniel R. Davis (93)

CDR Greg Pell  (94)

CDR Daryl Kiebler  (95)

CDR Peter Blakeley  (96)

CDR Harold L. Child  (97)

CDR John Dykstra  (98)

CAPT Harold E. Old, Jr.  (99)

CDR Arthur T. Kelsey  (00)

CDR Larry L. Hunt  (01)

CDR John G. Hulsing  (02)

CDR Richard N. Howell  (03)

CDR Thomas B. Mulder  (04)

CDR Mario Diaz  (05)

CDR Scott A. Pellerito  (06)

CDR Marvin Lieberman  (07)

CDR Jerome H. Solomon  (08)

CDR James W. Little  (09)

CDR T.R. Shaw  (10)

CDR Robert R. Davis  (11)

CDR J. Craig Gleason  (12)

CDR Ronald J. Scott  (13)

CDR Brian W. Wensauer  (14)

CDR Greg Pell  (15-16) *

CDR James M. Miller  (17) *

Past Commanding Officer:

CDR Andrew Kroll  (18) *

CDR Mark Williams  (19)

CDR Eric A. Glohr  (20-21)*

CDR John Kramer (22-23)

*Directors Ex-Officio

Honorary Life Members:

RADM Frank Harness, USNR (ret)

RADM A. M. Rieder, USNY (ret)

CDR  Virgil Westdale

CDR Thomas Bouman

The Commanders Club of Michigan

SUPPORTING  MARITIME COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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