In His Own Words: Rear Admiral Joseph F. Callo, USNR (Ret.)
I first became involved with the Naval Institute when I responded to a mail solicitation immediately after coming off two years of active duty that followed my NROTC commissioning. As a writer, I rely heavily on Proceedings, Naval History, USNI News, and the Naval Institute Press books for information and informed thinking on subjects related to sea power.
The Naval Institute advances my philanthropic goals, because it provides unique intellectual products related to sea power. If we do not maintain a Navy equal to the ongoing threats, nothing else matters. If our Sea Services are not up to meet the ongoing national security threats, our national survival is in doubt.
I would recommend the Naval Institute to young naval professionals because, in creasingly, naval leadership is challenged to think beyond technical matters, and the Naval Institute has a unique variety of products that nourish such thinking. And I would recommend the Naval Institute to civilians. As Mark Twain said, “Its name is public opinion. It is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God.” Public opinion about sea power must be informed opinion.
Thanks to the Richard Cross Family!
In mid-February, we received an email from Patrick Cross, a retired naval officer and son of 64-year Naval Institute Member Richard F. Cross III. Patrick, who lives in Hawaii, and his siblings, who live on the West Coast, were helping their parents move from their longtime Northern Virginia home to an assisted-living community in Seattle. Major downsizing was in effect.
The family reached out to the Naval Institute because Richard Cross—MIT grad, naval architect, published Proceedings author, and historian—has amassed an incredible archive of Navy-related documents, books, photographs, and memorabilia, including cruise books, uniform items, and medals. Only a fraction of the collection would be taken to Seattle. The Institute was generously offered whatever items it could use.
For Naval Institute staff members who traveled to the Cross home, it was a rare treat—one of the most extensive private collections they had ever seen. Several rooms were stacked to the ceiling with materials. Heritage Manager Janis Jorgensen came armed with a list of Proceedings issues that were needed to fill in the unbound collection of the magazine kept in the library at Beach Hall. Naval History magazine Editor-in-Chief Richard Latture found a number of reference books he knew would be useful. They also gratefully claimed a set of James Fahey’s Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet that now graces the CEO’s office at Naval Institute headquarters.
The Cross family—including Richard’s wife, Nancy, who was on hand during the visit—could not have been more gracious, welcoming, and helpful. We thank them for the treasure they shared with the Naval Institute that will be available to researchers for generations to come.
Advancing the Next Generation of Naval Leaders
The following is an update on sponsored Naval Institute membership for Sea Service midshipmen and cadets since program inception:
• NROTC Units: 37 of 58 sponsored
• U.S. Naval Academy Companies: 22 of 30 sponsored
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy Companies: 8 of 8 sponsored
• Naval War College: International students sponsored
• Naval Academy Prep School
• Navy Senior Enlisted Academy
• Marine Senior Enlisted Course
• Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Leader Course
For more information, or to sponsor midshipmen at your alma mater, please visit www.usni.org/donate-student-memberships or contact Heather Lancaster at 410-295-1048 or at [email protected].
In addition, sponsors have stepped up for Marines at the following:
• Expeditionary Warfare School
• The Basic School