2021 Second Virtual National Congress
“Always Faithful and Holding Fast”

22 – 23 October 2021

Saturday - 23 OCT 2021 Presentation 15:15 EDT

Cold War in the Tropics; the Cuban Missile Crisis

Anthony D. Atwood, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Miami Military Museum

Synopsis

During the Eisenhower administration, the Monroe Doctrine still informed U.S. policy in the Caribbean. Although the U.S. initially supported Fidel Castro and his government in Cuba, relations deteriorated rapidly once Castro nationalized all U.S. property and turned to the USSR for support. Relations deteriorated even further in 1961 after the failed U.S. -sponsored Bay of Pigs invasion. In July 1962, at Castro’s request, Nikita Khrushchev agreed to place missile launch facilities in Cuba. Thus began one of the most dramatic crises of the cold war. During this lecture, Dr. Anthony Atwood, will explain the events that unfolded between 16 October and 20 November, 60 years ago.

Dr. Atwood is a retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer 3 with a BA from the University of Miami, and the MA and Doctorate from Florida International University. A native Miamian, he saw service aboard USS Dixon (AS-37), USS Conquest (MSO-488) and USS Bolster (ARS-38). He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College Military History Instructor Course. He has taught extensively at the college level and serves as the Resident Military Historian for the FIU Jack Gordon Institute for National Security. His dissertation posted online, a History of WWII in Florida, has had over 9,000 readers. While in service he was awarded the Certificate in Systems Analysis by UCLA. He served during Desert Storm and Operation Noble Eagle. He helped build Camp X-Ray at GTMO and served on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Military Committee. He is a founding father of the Miami Military Museum.

2021 Congress is hosted by the Continental Commandery, the Naval Order’s virtual, national Commandery, using collaboration software easily downloaded from the Internet. Training /practice sessions will be provided in the preceding months to familiarize Companions with the use of the collaboration software.

The events leading up to our 2021 CONGRESS are important for all companions.  They involve our various committee meetings and essential business of the Order. A timeline is provided for Pre-CONGRESS activities; inputs and comments are still welcome.

Welcome to the 2021 Naval Order Virtual CONGRESS
“Always Faithful and Holding Fast”

Our Congress this year will again be held in a Virtual Environment. The CONGRESS endeavors to deliver the same level of information on the business of the Order and Educational opportunities as professional and rich as at past Congresses.  The key to success is YOU. Your participation in our advance training in mid-September and other test opportunities to make sure your equipment works prior to the Congress is critical.  Please sign up!   We will have a sign up (Registration) page, and those registering up will receive a very nice 2021 Congress challenge coin (for the nominal fee); but your commitment to your Commandery as soon as possible ensures that the Virtual Environment is sized, planned and readied for the Congress. 

The Meeting URL for the Survey for the Congress 2021 will be posted to this web site throughout the CONGRESS; the Zoom event code will have the same password. If you do not have internet or computer access, please contact us at nouscongress@outlook.com or contact your Commandery Commander, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. A Kindle device with all reports and briefs can be provided to Companions (on a limited basis). The Zoom event can be accessed from a computer or a Smartphone. The Congress Brochure will be available soon.

Coming Soon: CONGRESS Brochure

Pre-CONGRESS presentation and preps

Wednesday - 22 SEP 2021 Presentation 20:00 EDT: Naval History Night - “From Belleau Wood to Guadalcanal: Thomas Holcomb and the Making of the Modern Marine Corps” Speaker: D. Ulbrich

Thursday - 21 OCT 2021 14:00-16:00 EDT: Gathering and Equipment Checks

2021 CONGRESS Theme: “Always Faithful and Holding Fast”

Friday - 22 OCT 2021 “Business Day”  1400 – 1900 Eastern Daylight Time

17:45 – History Presentation: ”Harrison and McCool; the ‘Double Dose of Bad Luck Twins’ of the Marine Corps” Speaker: D. Kent

18:30 – Q&A

Saturday - 23 OCT 2021 “History Day & Change of Command”  1400 – 1900 Eastern Daylight Time

15:15 – History Presentation: “Cold War in the Tropics; the Cuban Missile Crisis” Speaker: A. Atwood

16:15 – History Presentation: “The Battle of Midway: How America Won the Pacific War” Speaker: S. M. Andres

17:00 – Break

17:30 – History Presentation: “Medium Tank Operations During the 1943 Battle of Tarawa” Speaker:  D. Vickers

 Coming Soon: CONGRESS Brochure

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