An American Hero Receives a Fitting 100th Birthday Celebration on Pensacola Beach

NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Tim Kinsella, on behalf of the Navy and NAS Pensacola,  offers birthday greetings and well-wishes to 100 year old WWII Navy Veteran Ray Gilbut on Saturday, September 25th 2021 at Pensacola Beach

They are known as the "Greatest Generation"--the men and women who stepped up to fight for America in World War II.  My Grandfather was a member.  Most of us have a grandfather, or great grandfather, or Uncle or Aunt that served.  Many of us are of an age that we were fortunate enough to hear the stories from these men and women firsthand.

But these men and women are all reaching the age of 100--and sadly many are dying and soon they will all be gone.

So when I heard about a local who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Pacific and about his upcoming 100th Birthday--I was happy to support the effort to recognize this hero.

Local retired Marine Bobby Bonsignore reached out to me and my aide, Debbie Kenney, and asked if the county could assist in the 100th celebration for this Navy WWII Veteran, Mr. Ray Gilbut.  District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender, along with his aide Angela Crawley, took point and put together a proclamation and assisted with obtaining Escambia County Public Safety vehicles and ECSO cruisers for a parade in front of Ray's Pensacola Beach home which happened yesterday afternoon.

On a picture-perfect chamber of commerce weather day at the beach-- hundreds of family and friends showed up to participate in the parade and to honor Ray at his home.  It was truly moving to meet this man, shake his hand and say "Thank you for what you did for our nation!"  His family surrounded him and really gave him a fantastic 100th birthday celebration.  Media were present, and NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer CAPT Tim Kinsella personally brought greetings and well-wishes for Ray on behalf of the Navy and NAS Pensacola.  Commissioner Bender read and presented the county proclamation--and numerous private citizens drove by, honking and waving at Ray as he watched on from his balcony above the street.  American flags were waving, folks were smiling and happy;it was certainly a moment that transcended politics.  It was a day to be proud of our nation and what we did in defeating the Axis forces in WWII to win freedom for America and the world at that time.   

Celebration organizer Bobby Bonsignore sent a synopsis of Ray's service, which read, in part, as follows:

"....allow me to introduce you to Ray Gilbut with a quick snap shot of his life: Born September 24, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY, from Lithuanian immigrants, he spent his youth living between NY and Connecticut.  Upon high school graduation he worked for Winchester as an apprentice and machinist.  After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ray enlisted in the Navy and attended initial training in Newport, RI, and then machinist school in the Great Lakes, ILL.  Now designated as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class, his orders sent him by way of a Dutch freighter to Brisbane Australia to serve aboard the destroyer USS Selfridge DD-357.  The ship operated from New Caledonia to the Solomans. Off the Solomans during the battle of Villa Lavella, the Selfridge’s bow was blown off by Japanese torpedoes. After a 3 month trip back to San Francisco for repairs, she rejoined the Pacific Theatre and participated in the invasion of the Philippines, Saipan, and Guam. Post war, Ray was honorably discharged December 15, 1945, Machinist Mate 1C(T). Subsequently, he earned an assistant engineering license and served in the Merchant Marine for 3 years. Afterwards, Ray spent 29 years as a postal carrier for Bethpage Post Office in NY....Ray has 8 children, 26 grandchildren, and 29 great grandchildren."

 

NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer CAPT. Timothy F. "Lucky" Kinsella, Jr., Earns a Tremendous National Honor and Recognition

NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer (CO) CAPT Timothy F. "Lucky" Kinsella, Jr., accepts the John Paul Jones Inspirational Leadership award at the Pensacola Country Club on Wednesday, July28th, 2021

NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer (CO) CAPT Tim Kinsella has had to navigate a lot of tough issues over the last several years.  And that is putting it lightly.  And that is a massive understatement.

-A terrorist attack leading to the death of sailors, and multiple injuries on the facility, drawing worldwide press scrutiny and attention.

-A worldwide Pandemic that has had a tremendous impact on the training mission at the base.

-And a devastating Hurricane in September of last year, to boot.

And leading the way through all of these obstacles, and many others, with a great attitude and an infectious smile--- was none other than CAPT Tim Kinsella.

So when it came time for submitting a nomination package for the John Paul Jones award for Inspirational Leadership--a prestigious, national award for an area Navy leader who rated such an honor--CAPT. Kinsella's name was top of the list.

Fast forward a couple of months after submission, and the great news came back to our local Navy League Chapter here in Pensacola:  Out of more than 200 submissions worldwide, our NAS Pensacola CO CAPT Timothy F. "Lucky" Kinsella won the award.

Typically, this award is given in a nationally attended ceremony in Washington DC-but because of the pandemic this year-the award was given locally.  And that ceremony occurred yesterday at a lucheon held in honor of CAPT Kinsella at the Pensacola Country Club.

I was honored to be asked to attend, along with several hundred military and civilian dignitaries and family members.  At the table where I was seated--there were 3 retired Navy Admirals and a retired Army General.  Members of the Pensacola City Council, the Pensacola Mayor, County Commissioners,  State Representatives, and representatives from the offices of Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott were also on hand.  In addition to this, there were more military O-6's (active duty and retired) than you could count.  It was a powerful room.  To my right at the table, I had the honor of sitting next to a retired Navy man who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.  This gentleman and I had a great conversation and I felt like I was talking to a living vestige of history.  He told me a bit about himself and his life, and I was blown away by his lucidity, sense of humor, and the fact that he was/is still living independently and driving himself around.  I quipped to him "I want to be like you when I grow up!"

When it was time for the program to start, the room quickly quieted down after presentation of the colors by an honor guard from NAS Pensacola.

CAPT Kinsella was given a rousing introduction by retired Admiral Kyle Kozad, and he was also presneted a proclamation by Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson.  When it was time for him to speak, CAPT. Kinsella was humble and gracious upon receipt of the honor.  He quipped "I feel like I don't belong here, like I walked in a room where someone else was getting an award." 

He thanked the military men and women of the base, the civilian staff, his fellow commanding officers of other tenant commands, and the Pensacola community.  He saved his most heartfelt thanks for his family--a large contingent of whom were present.  His mother and father, wife and three children, and a host of other extended family members were praised by the CAPT.  Before he gave emotional thanks-he set a lighthearted mood when he jokingly described the difficulty he had getting his family out the door and to the event on time.  "I've deplayed on combat missions, got aircraft carriers underway like clockwork--and that is easier than getting my family out of the house on time for something, really it is." He smiled and chuckled as he spoke.   He then recalled advice his father, a retired pub owner from Ireland,  gave him when he was on his way to boot camp.  "Stay away from the complainers--they'll only bring you down!"  He became emotional when thanking his wife for all of her support throughout his military career.   "I got to go to sea, I got to fly helicopters, and go to events like this one today--but my wife was the one at home, holding my family together."  He then gave some profound advice on achieving success from his mother that really resonated with him.  "There are three things you must  always try to do, and doing these three things will serve you well.  Number one, show up.  Number two -give it all you have do the best job you can.  Number three treat others with dignity."  He ended his remarks, drawing a standing ovation, thanking all those who had helped him during his time at NAS--both civilian and military.

Upon hearing this, I thought to myself wow-if everyone had that work ethic/outlook--the world would be so much better!

Several speakers and the CAPT himself alluded to the fact that upon his retirment wich is forthcoming, Kinsella and his family will be staying here in the Pensacola area.  

People of this caliber, choosing to stay here when they could live anywhere in the world they want, really give affirmation to the fact many of us already know:  This is a great place.  Pensacola, Escambia County--really a great community.

And having the Kinsella family retire here will only make this community better and stronger.

Congratulations to CAPT. Kinsella and his family!