The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its Tuesday Feb. 15 dinner meeting at the private room of the Riverview Diner, IL-25 and Mill Street, Montgomery. It is a very large private room and can be entered from the north door, or through the restaurant. There is plenty of parking.
Those attending do not need to be a member of the Navy League, or have a reservation, to attend the in-person meeting. The general public is welcome.
A reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a meeting at 5:30 p.m. with dinner afterward. The cost is $25.’ all-inclusive if an entree is ordered, or $20 for the dinner salad featured that evening. Free entry without food. The meeting will conclude by 8 p.m..
The after dinner speaker will be Mr. John Lindstedt, a former nuclear submarine officer and expert historian on Admiral Rickover and the Nuclear Navy. His topic will be, “Ice Diaries: The Polar Transit of the USS Nautilus”. The Nutilus was a record-breaking vessel! It was powered by a new energy source (nuclear) which made it the first true submersible. Her operations obviated existing anti-submarine warfare techniques. However, the Pacific-Atlantic transit across the top of the world via the North Pole exploring the uncharted Artic Ocean under the ice was hailed as a superb technological victory which boosted American Cold War spirits. The transit is an amazing story of engineering excellence and courage.
LT John Lindstedt is a former nuclear submarine officer having “Qualified in Submarines” in 1974 on the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine, USS Kamehameha SSBN 642. He served during the Cold War making 3 deterrent patrols in the Mediterranean Sea as deployed by Submarine Squadron 16 out of Rota, Spain. His duties were to operate and maintain the S5W nuclear reactor plant and all associated propulsion equipment.
John had two years of sea service in the Merchant Marine as a marine engineer sailing to Northern Europe and South America. He is currently serving as a member of the Commissioning Committee of the USS Hyman G. Rickover SSN 795 and the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827.
John is a Wisconsin native born in Milwaukee. He attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee (BS, Chemistry 69), and Arizona State University.
John is married to his lovely bride, Cindy of 52 years. Yes, 52 years!!! They have 3 children, Jennifer, Matthew (US Air Force veteran) and James (US Navy veteran). He enjoys hunting, hiking and studying history particularly history of World War II and history of the U.S. Submarine Force.
The Aurora Council is having a membership drive, and will pay half of the first year’s dues for new members. This is an excellent opportunity to attend an interesting event, and determine whether you would like to join permanently.
—Aurora Navy League Council 247