About the 2022 National Congress in Alexandria, Virginia

“We Are Ready Now, Sir!”

National Capital Area

18 – 22 October 2022

Make your plans now to attend the 2022 Naval Order Congress in historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 18–22 October 2022. Your host, the National Capital Commandery, has lined up an exciting week of maritime history tours, events, and speakers to accompany our annual business meetings and awards presentations. Our Congress this October will mark the first time in three years that we are able to meet in person!

The Congress presents an opportunity to meet fellow companions and spouses, renew existing friendships, exchange sea stories, and share our mutual interests in supporting America’s sea services. The theme for this year’s Congress is “Readiness,” reflecting the commitment of America’s sea services to continuing readiness in the interest of national security, freedom of navigation, international humanitarian concerns and the preservation of the nation’s international standing.

In 1917, LCDR Joseph K. Taussig, USN led the first contingent of six US Navy destroyers to Europe after the U.S. declared war against Germany, arriving in Queenstown (the port of Cork) in Ireland in May of that year to assist the British government in protecting merchant shipping against German U-boats. In response to the British Commander-in-Chief of the Western Approaches, Vice Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly’s question about when the newly-arrived U.S. destroyers could commence operations, legend has it that Taussig replied, “We are ready now, Sir.” This theme is shown in the beautiful design of this year’s Congress Challenge Coin.

The City – Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

The 2022 Congress will take place at the Hilton in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, a city rich in maritime history. Founded in 1695 as a major colonial seaport on the Potomac River, Alexandria was essential to the colonies in the War for American Independence. In the War of 1812, the British seized and looted Alexandria on their way upriver to attack the National Capital. The U.S. Army occupied the city during the Civil War. Nearby, Arlington Estate is known today as Arlington National Cemetery.

Today, Alexandria is a thriving suburban city with its Old Town district offering world-class restaurants, boutique shops, public waterfront parks, trolley cars, water taxies, and charming 19th century architecture. Ideally situated for the Congress, Alexandria is only minutes away from Reagan National Airport, Washington DC, and George Washington’s Home, Mount Vernon; only an hour from Annapolis, Maryland, home to the U.S. Naval Academy; and the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia. For more information about Alexandria, see this link: Visit Alexandria Virginia

 

For the Planning Committee, 

William Steagall, CAPT, USN (Ret.), Commander, National Capital Commandery


BONUS MATERIAL: Read about the 2021 Second Virtual Congress!