painting of On the Waterfront, Washington DC in 1899 by Patrick O'Brien

Photos from the evening >>

National Maritime Awards Dinner Feature in Sea History >>

The National Maritime Historical Society
invites you to join us for the
2023 National Maritime Awards Dinner

as we honor three esteemed award recipients
USS Constitution Museum
Congressman Joseph D. Courtney
Oyster Recovery Partnership

with presentations by
Gary Jobson, Master of Ceremonies
Samuel F. Byers, Dinner Chair
CAPT James A. Noone, USN (Ret.), NMHS Chairman
VADM Richard Hunt, USN (Ret.), Presenter
VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret.), Presenter
Dr. Michael Sieracki, Presenter

entertainment by
Voyage Digital Media & Richardo R. Lopes


and featuring the
NMHS Maritime Art Gallery
hosted by Patrick O'Brien

at the
National Press Club
 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC

on
Tuesday, 9 May 2023
Reception at 6 PM • Dinner at 7 PM

 


Dinner chair Samuel F. Byers, founding dinner chairman Philip J. Webster and NMHS chairman CAPT James A. Noone, USN (Ret.), invite you to join the National Maritime Historical Society as we honor three esteemed award recipients for our 2023 gala in Washington, DC: USS Constitution Museum, Congressman Joseph D. Courtney and Oyster Recovery Partnership.

 

The 2023 National Maritime Awards Honorees

 

USS Constitution Museum

The USS Constitution Museum will be honored  with the 2023 NMHS Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Maritime Education in recognition of the organization’s outstanding educational programs fostering greater awareness of our maritime heritage. This year the museum embarks on its 51st year as the educational voice of the USS Constitution. As a private nonprofit organization and interpretive complement to the ship, the USS Constitution Museum has since 1972 commemorated its history, serving as its educational voice collecting, preserving, and interpreting the artifacts that tell the stories of “Old Ironsides,” the oldest commissioned warship afloat and America’s Ship of State. In honoring the museum and recognizing its president Anne Grimes Rand, who has expertly guided the organization for over three decades, the Society also celebrates the 225th anniversary of Constitution’s maiden voyage in 1798 and applauds her newest captain and first female commanding officer, CDR Billie J. Farrell, USN.

Congressman Joseph D. Courtney

Congressman Joseph D. Courtney will be recognized with the 2023 NMHS Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his steadfast efforts to deliver funding for US Navy submarine procurement, most recently as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 and the FY 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. As Chairman of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, he championed funding for the production of two Virginia-class attack submarines per year with General Dynamics's Electric Boat division, and more recently for Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. In pressing for the need of Virginia-class submarines, he earned the nickname "Two Sub Joe." We also salute Congressman Courtney’s work with the Connecticut congressional delegation in obtaining funding for the future National Coast Guard Museum, where Americans will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Coast Guard life and history through interactive exhibits and galleries designed to celebrate, engage, and inspire. VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret.), NMHS Trustee, and career nuclear submariner, will present the award.

 

 

 

Oyster Recovery Partnership

Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) will be honored with the inaugural 2023 NMHS Marine Conservation Award in recognition of their commitment to the health of the Chesapeake Bay through the successful restoration of oyster populations, shell recycling conservation, and sustainable fishery practices. A single adult oyster can filter more than 50 gallons of water a day, and over the past 29 years, ORP has planted a staggering 10 billion oysters.  The NMHS Marine Conservation Award acknowledges their exemplary work as stewards of our waterways, protecting and restoring ecosystems, promoting the sustainable management of marine resources, safeguarding and improving the well-being of the communities that depend on these resources, and increasing public awareness about the importance of protecting marine environments. ORP joins previous NMHS maritime environmentalist award winners David Rockefeller Jr. and Sailors for the Sea, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Conservation International, and the National Geographic Society. Dr. Michael Sieracki, Director of Horn Point Laboratory, will present the award to ORP’s Executive Director, Ward Slacum. 

 

 

Distinguished yachtsman, television commentator, and past president of US Sailing and the National Sailing Hall of Fame, Gary Jobson will be master of ceremonies. Recipients will be featured in videos produced by award-winning documentarian Richardo Lopes and Voyage Digital Media. The NMHS Maritime Art Gallery, hosted by acclaimed marine artist Patrick OBrien, will showcase a variety of contemporary marine art. The United States Coast Guard Academy Cadet Chorale will perform.

The National Maritime Historical Society requests that corporations, associations, foundations, and individuals who wish to support the work of the American maritime community help us underwrite this event.  To register, please contact NMHS Vice President of Operations Wendy Paggiotta at 914-737-7878 ext. 557 or via email at vicepresident@seahistory.org.

 


Sponsorship Opportunities

 

$50,000 Underwriter

  • Premium table for 10 guests
  • Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
  • Prominent recognition and logo placement in the dinner program
  • Two full-page advertisements in Sea History magazine
  • Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
  • Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums

 

$25,000 Event Marquee Sponsor

  • Premium table for 10 guests
  • Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
  • Prominent recognition and logo placement in the dinner program
  • Two full-page advertisements in Sea History magazine
  • Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
  • Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums

 

$15,000 Fleet Sponsor

  • Premium table for 10 guests
  • Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
  • Prominent recognition and logo placement in the dinner program
  • One full-page advertisement in Sea History magazine
  • Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings and email announcements
  • Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums

 

$10,000 Commodore Sponsor

  • Premium table for 10 guests
  • Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
  • Prominent recognition and logo placement in the dinner program
  • One full-page advertisement in Sea History magazine
  • Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
  • Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums

 

$4,000 Table Host

  • Table for 10 guests
  • Recognition from the podium with audio/visual & signage at the event
  • Recognition in the dinner program
  • Recognition on the Society’s website, press releases, mailings, and email announcements
  • Membership for 10 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums

 

$1,000 Individual Sponsor

  • VIP seating for 2 guests
  • Recognition on the Society’s website
  • Membership for 2 in NMHS, including the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM) card for free admission to America’s leading maritime museums

 

$400 Individual Dinner Reservation

  • 1 individual dinner guest reservation

 


Support from our Sponsors

Commodore Sponsors

General Dynamics
William H. White

In-Kind Supporting Sponsors

American Cruise Lines
Classic Harbor Line & Richard Scarano
Gary Jobson
Voyage Digital Media & Richardo R. Lopes

Table Hosts

The Byers Foundation
VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret.)
McAllister Towing and Transportation Co., Inc.
National Coast Guard Museum Association
CAPT James A. Noone, USN (Ret.)
Ronald L. Oswald
Oyster Recovery Partnership
SEACORP
USS Constitution Museum
Philip J. & Irmy Webster

Individual Sponsors

American Maritime Congress
Dr. Deborah Antoine
CAPT Sally McElwreath Callo, USN (Ret) & RADM Joseph Callo, USN (Ret.)
The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment
The Henry L. & Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation
RADM Eric C. Jones, USCG
David & Susan Rockefeller
Richard Scarano & Karen Helmerson
US Navy Memorial
Andrew Vinson

Donors

Association of Maryland Pilots & Capt. Eric Nielsen
Stephen R. & Lin M. Clineburg
Dicin Electric Co., Inc. & Cynthia Hersom
Robert F. & Christine M. Lindmark



National Maritime Awards Dinner Committee

Samuel F. Byers, Chair
Philip J. Webster, Founding Chair

 

Charles B. Anderson  ∙  Capt.  Jonathan Boulware  ∙   Walter R. Brown  ∙  Dr. Robert Browning  ∙  CAPT Patrick C. Burns, USN (Ret.)  ∙  RADM Joseph F. Callo, USN (Ret.)  ∙  CAPT Sally Callo, USN (Ret.) ∙ Gerald Cooper  ∙  James Seay Dean  ∙  VADM Dirk J. Debbink, USNR (Ret.)  ∙ Donna Dudley  ∙  Dr. William Dudley  ∙  Paul Fontenoy  ∙  David S. Fowler  ∙  Rilla Gaither  ∙  Kristen Greenaway ∙ Jay Haigler  ∙  Karen Helmerson  ∙  Howard H. Hoege III  ∙  Gary Jobson  ∙  Dr. Paul F. Johnston  ∙  VADM Al Konetzni, USN (Ret.)  ∙  Denise R. Krepp  ∙  Richardo R. Lopes  ∙  Jessica MacFarlane  ∙  Guy E.C. Maitland  ∙  James Mathieu  ∙  Capt. Jeffrey McAllister  ∙  Elizabeth McCarthy  ∙  Drew McMullen  ∙ James McNamara ∙ Dr. Salvatore Mercogliano  ∙  Kathy J. Metcalf  ∙  Capt.  Eric Nielsen  ∙  CAPT James A. Noone, USNR (Ret.)  ∙  Patrick O'Brien  ∙  Ronald L. Oswald  ∙  Wendy Paggiotta  ∙    Christopher Rowsom  ∙  Dr. Timothy J. Runyan  ∙  Kamau Sadiki  ∙  Richard Scarano  ∙  Philip Shapiro  ∙   H.C. Bowen Smith ∙ Dr. Joshua Smith  ∙  Irmy Webster  ∙  William H. White  ∙ Dr. David Winkler