Who are we ?

What is the Navy League

The Navy League of the United States (NLUS) was incorporated in 1902 in part by President Theodore Roosevelt who contributed monies he received from the Nobel Peace Prize. It is unique among military-oriented associations in that it is a civilian, non-profit, educational association dedicated to offer services and support to the men and women and families of the U.S, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the Merchant Marine and related Sea Services. Members of the Navy League bring to life their motto — “Citizens in Support of the Sea Services”.

The NLUS has set forth the following objectives:

• To foster and maintain interest in a strong Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine as integral parts of a sound national defence, vital to peace keeping and the freedom of the United States
• To serve as a means of educating and informing all peoples with regard to the role of sea power in the nuclear age and the problems involved in maintaining strong defences in that age.
• To improve the understanding and appreciation of those who wear the uniforms of the US armed forces and to better the conditions under which they live and serve.
• To provide support and recognition for the US forces based in Spain in order that we may continue to have capable and responsive peacekeepers
• To foster close and friendly relations with our host nation, Spain and especially the Spanish Armada and Armed Forces

What it does

Land locked as it is, The Madrid Council was formed in 1965 and assumed the role of interfacing between the American Military and Industrial Contractors in Spain and the Spanish Military Commands. In this people-to-people program guest speakers from both sides are presented at eight monthly dinner meeting, including the Spanish Minister of Defense, Chief of Naval Operations, foreign Ambassadors, US Ambassadors and Officers of the US Armed Forces.

Annual highlights are: a May Cocktail Reception at the residence of the US Ambassador; US Memorial Day weekend wreath laying ceremonies in Menorca at the Statue of Admiral Farragut in Ciudadela, and at the American Cemetery in Mahon for those American Sailors from the early 1800´s buried there; July Sponsorship of the top Cadet from the Spanish Naval Academy in Marin to a trip to Washington, Annapolis and Naval Facilities in Norfolk and Newport, VA; an October Gala Ball celebrating the US Navy’s birthday.

The Admiral Farragut statue was commissioned and erected by the Madrid Council in 1970 honoring the Navy’s First Admiral, and adopted son of Ciudadela, the town where his father was born. An architect member of the Council also designed the square from which it overlooks the harbor.

Madrid is one of five Councils in Spain.

To contact us, please email secretary@nlmadrid.org