Mayport Sea Cadets Lend Helping Hand

At a recent promotion ceremony, Mayport Sea Cadets Commanding Officer, Lt. Sue Lounsberry, fastened ensign shoulder boards on her daughter Nikki's uniform. Ensign Lounsberry came up through the sea cadet ranks twice, from E1-E6 in Navy League Cadets (11-13 year olds) and again in Sea Cadets (14 -17 year olds), followed by promotion to Midshipman and now Ensign.

With 10 years in the sea cadet program, she presently serves with distinction as Mayport Division Sea Cadet Training Officer.

Success is no stranger to the new ensign. She graduated Salutatorian from medical magnet Andrew Jackson High School, won Navy League's prestigious Youth Award, was selected in 2000 to represent U.S. Sea Cadets in England, and is currently doing well in University of North Florida's Athletic Training Program.

She comes from a family of winners, not only is her mother CO of Mayport Sea Cadets, while holding down a full time job in the Atlantic Beach School system and going to college three nights a week, her father is COMDESRON 14's Command Master Chief, Mitch Lounsberry.

A Sea Cadet passes out programs at the commissioning.

Mayport sea cadets are excited about having participated in commissioning activities for USS Farragut.

At the Commanding Officer's reception on Friday evening, sea cadets escorted the ladies into Ocean Breeze Conference Center at NS Mayport and passed out programs and commissioning coins to the guests.

The high point of the evening was a visit and a picture with Senator Susan Collins and WW2 Medal of Honor winner Major Pope, USMC.

At the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, cadets greeted guests at the entrance with programs and bottled water and worked throughout the crowd handing out water and helping guests find their seats. Most cadets are now in ''boot camp'' or are headed for boot camp.

It has been a good year, thanks to Mayport Navy League and a highly committed sea cadet staff.