What a blessing it has been for me to have served as the 34th Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River in this wonderful Southern Maryland community! Thank you to the patriotic sailors, civilians and contractors whose efforts and work combine to help to protect and defend our wonderful freedoms. My family and I are in awe of the memories of the unselfish and genuinely concerned individuals, businesses and community groups who all combine efforts to continually strengthen the community as well as to develop new solutions to meet the growing needs of a vibrant community.
From the largest Veterans Day Parade in the state of Maryland to the community’s welcome of Naval Air Station Individual Augmentees and their families I have witnessed the quiet and humble active caring that is in the history of our forefather’s legacy of volunteers helping volunteers. While it is 1% of the population who voluntarily raise their hands to take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States it is indeed an entire community that supports the sailor and their families. thank you for supporting our military members. It is an honor to have been a naval officer in a community that cares.
CAPT Stephen A. Schmeiser, USN
Former Commanding Officer, NAS Patuxent River
