Our parent organization, the Navy League of the United States, was founded in New York in 1902 as a civilian educational organization with the purpose of acquiring and distributing information pertaining to the maritime forces of the United States, and to stimulate interest and cooperation in matters that support the sea services and improve their overall efficiency. (For additional information, go to www.navyleague.org.)

The possibility of a St. Maarten/St. Martin Navy League council was first discussed in August 1994, when American Consul General “Bernie” Woerz met with leaders of our island’s public and private sectors to discuss ways and means to encourage U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels to choose St. Maarten/St. Martin as a liberty port, thereby providing additional revenue for the local economy.  Dr. Jack Stevens, then head of the American International Community of St. Maarten/St. Martin, was asked to look into establishment of a Navy League council on the island.  Within 90 days, approximately 30 people from the island joined the Navy League and began planning for a visit of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (TR).  On November 22, 1994, the TR became the first U.S. aircraft carrier ever to visit our friendly island and local Navy Leaguers helped make the visit a great success.

Within six months, five other US Navy vessels, including the carrier USS America, visited St. Maarten/St. Martin.  The number of Navy League members had increased to approximately 50 and plans were made to officially charter a local Navy League council.  On September 5, 1995, Hurricane Luis devastated the island and the charter ceremony, planned for September 22, was postponed.

On March 26, 1996, as the friendly island was rebuilding from the devastating effects of Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn (which followed Luis by one week), the St. Maarten/St. Martin (SXM/SM) Council of the Navy League was officially chartered on board the newly-commissioned nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS John C. Stennis.  More than 300 persons [including Consul General Bernie Woerz and Mrs. (Pat) Woerz, government officials, and other leaders who supported the council foundation] attended the ceremony led by Navy League National President, the late Hugh Mayberry; Navy League Regional President, the late Norma Kennedy (who assisted in the formation of the local council); and Dr. and Mrs. (Jack & Asha) Stevens, who led local efforts to form the council.

Today, in keeping with Navy League tradition, the 130+ members of the SXM/SM Council work to (1) educate people as to the importance of sea power to our island community; (2) provide support to U.S., Dutch, and French sea services (Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Merchant Marines) and to sea service visitors from other friendly nations; (3) support activities and scholarships for local young people, (4) support crime prevention and public safety efforts on our island, and (5) engage in community service activities that help maintain and enhance the quality of life for our elderly citizens and our youth, and to enhance the image of St. Maarten/St. Martin.  [In the first 14 years of our council’s existence, we hosted 188 ship visits (which generated more than $70 million in revenue for our island) and we coordinated more than 120 “ComRel” projects involving 1600+ sea service members who performed 7,500+ very constructive hours of community service work on our island.)

We encourage people who share our goals to JOIN US in supporting the men and women of the Sea Services who protect and defend our island community; providing opportunities for our youth and helping to build and promote our friendly island.
(The cost of membership is less than $5 per month.)

For more info, please contact us by E-Mail: navyleague@sintmaarten.net.
(Tel. +599-548-3211, Cell +599-554-2869, or Fax +599-548-3156).