ST MARYS SUBMARINE MUSEUM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Johnson Controls General Manager
Bernard Alexander Bastura was a private collector of submarine information, artifacts, and memorabilia and for over fifty years he displayed them in Middletown, Connecticut, that was until those treasures became a permanent part of the St. Marys Submarine Museum, St. Marys, Georgia. The story behind this person's passion to collect submarine related items and how his massive and unique collection became part of the St. Marys Submarine Museum history is in itself unique and interesting. This tribute to Mr. Bastura tells that story.
Ben as he was known to many was born on 13 July 1933 in Portland, Connecticut to Andrew Thomas and Mary nee Kaminski Bastura. Genealogical research found that his father, Andrew was born Andrezj Thomas Basztura on 6 January 1887 in the town of Meils or Meile, Poland, which is located in the southern suburbs of Warsaw, Poland. Andrew arrived in New York on 3 November 1906 with his wife, Mary aboard the SS Kaiserin Auguste Victoria. The couple settled in Portland, Connecticut where they raised their large family of five sons and three daughters. Bernard Alexander Bastura was the couple's last child. Andrew worked at a local silk mill in Portland and in 1940, the Bastura family moved from Portland to nearby Middletown. Bernard attended and graduated Middletown High School in 1953. He was known as Big Ben back then. The inscription shown under his year book photo was as is in his yearbook.
Bill Weisensee, Captain, USN (Retired) (See USSVI Profile), CO Trident Refit Facility, Executive Director, Served as BOD President (Two terms), Camden-Kings Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Job Titles:
- St. Marys Tourism Director
Gianna is the St Marys Submarine Museum's Gift Shop Manager. Her job is to make sure the museum's gift shop is full of literature, decals, stationary, etc., that visitors can purchase as a memento of their visit. Gianna meets and greets the museum's guests with great enthusiasm and loves talking about the museum's history and the many artifacts that are on display. She says, "I am passionate about my job! I love meeting our visitors and talking with them." They share their stories about someone they know who served or are serving on submarines. Above all, Gianna says she especially enjoys meeting and listening to the WWII submarine heroes who visit the museum. "They have terrific war stories," Gianna added. "Their stories are of true heroism and bravery and are from the men who lived it." Gianna can talk-the-talk too. You see, her family lineage includes a long line of Navy veterans to include her grandfather, father, husband, and a son. Three of them were or are submariners. She refers to herself as a "well-seasoned Navy Brat and is the proud mother of 3 more well-seasoned Navy Brats".
She was very close to her grandfather, Phillip Longhurst Williamson, who shared with her many a story about the time he served in submarines during WW II from 1940 through 1945. He made 11 of 13 combat war patrols, which the submarine USS Drum (SS 228) conducted during WWII. Torpedoman First Class Williamson departed on Eternal Patrol on 5 July 2017 while living in Paulsboro, New Jersey. He was 93. Gianna reflects on the stories her grandfather shared with her from time to time saying that he started a family legacy when he joined the Navy in August 1940. She reflected that she is now the keeper not only of his stories found in the Drum's folder held at the museum, but Gianna is proud and honored to be the keeper of "every single U.S. Navy Submariner's stories" found in the museum's archives.
Gianna was born and raised in Paulsboro, New Jersey in 1965 to Robert David and Cassie Williamson. While their dad was serving in the Navy working in the Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) rating on surface ships, Gianna and her two siblings remained in south New Jersey area to be raised by their mother. In 2012, retired chief Robert Williamson passed away while living in Pembroke, North Carolina.
While living and growing up in South New Jersey, Gianna attended Paulsboro high school. She met the love of her life at 15 years old, Jeffrey Wayne Goldy who attended Deptford high school. Jeffrey graduated in 1981 and joined the Navy. Gianna graduated in 1983 and two days later married Jeffrey on June 18, 1983. His first six years in the Navy were served working as an Engineman on the guided missile frigate USS McInerney (FFG-8). His first shore assignment was at Submarine Base Groton, Connecticut. That was where he decided to change his rating from Engineman to Quartermaster and became a submariner. From 1989 - 1995 he served on the nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN 634). He also served on the USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) from 1998 - 2001. In 2001, Jeff retired from the Navy as a First Class Quartermaster. During the 20 years of service, Gianna said she found moving from place to place was exciting and enjoyed exploring new surroundings. The couple's son, Jeffrey Jr. who had plans to become a Gifted Math Teacher and to coach high school wrestling decided that he too wanted to follow the family's legacy and he joined the Navy. Jeff who has already served 16 years, is married to his high school sweet heart Kelly, is a Chief Electronics Technician as a submariner currently serving aboard the USS Chicago (SSN 721) at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
On 1 October 2010, Keith Forrest Post took over the management of the St. Marys Submarine Museum. The Museum's first Manager, John Raymond Crouse, had suffered a fatal heart attack while attending the 2010 USSVI's Convention in Cincinnati. John had been serving as the musuem's manager since before the Museum opened in March of 1996. Keith had been serving on the Museum's Board of Directors for 5 years and was already well-known in Camden County and the St. Marys community. His background as a former submariner, his Navy career achievements and awards, and his extensive involvement in the Southeast Georgia area community, made him a great candidate to manage the direction of the Museum.
Keith was born on 22 November 1959 in Bay Shore, New York, located on Long Island, to Oakley James Post and Alice May (Stroup) Post. At the time, Oakley was serving in the United States Coast Guard. After moving all over the country from New York to Hawaii and many places in between during his father's Coast Guard career, Keith attended his final two years of high school and graduated from Farmingdale Senior High School in Farmingdale, New York in 1977. He attended one year of College in upstate New York before moving to Florida where he worked for Southeast Banking Corporation in New Smyrna Beach prior to his enlistment in the Navy in May of 1981.
Following Boot Camp graduation in Orlando, Florida in July of 1981, Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut in January of 1982 and Sonar School in San Diego, California in October of 1982, his first submarine assignment was to the Gold Crew of the nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN-623) homeported in Charleston, South Carolina. While on the Nathan Hale, he became qualified in submarines in 1983 and worked as a Sonar Technician from 1982 through 1986 advancing to both second and first class while aboard. From 1986 to 1988, Petty Officer First Class Post served on the USS CASIMIR PULAKI (SSBN 633) (Blue Crew) homeported in Charleston, but refitting out of King Bay, Georgia. While on shore duty in Hawaii in 1990, he was sent on temporary duty to the nuclear powered fast attack USS OMAHA (SSN 692) for a 3 month Northern Pacific deployment. He was promoted to Sonarman Chief in 1995 while serving on the USS NEBRASKA (SSBN 739) (Blue Crew) between 1992 and 1996. Keith made 16 deployments, including 13 ballistic missile submarine patrols entitling him to wear the SSBN Pin with 2 silver and 3 gold stars.
His shore assignments included duties as the Command Career Counselor for Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Lead Sonarman at the SP-205 Arduous Sea Duty Detachment Cape Canaveral, Florida, Manager of the SSBN Security Program and Sonar Evaluation Program at SSP, and his final assignment at Strategic Systems Programs Headquarters, Washington, DC, where he was the Force Career Counselor. He retired from active duty on 30 September 2003 after serving for 22 years.
His sea and shore assignments earned him many awards to include, a Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 Awards), Navy Achievement Medal (5 Awards), the1990 Naval Submarine Base Pearl Harbor Sailor of the Year, and the 1990 Navy League Honolulu Council Outstanding Military Service Award.
Shortly after Keith retired from the Navy in 2003 and while living in St. Marys, he became immersed in the community. He started out by receiving his Real Estate License in July 2004. He then served as President of the Camden-Kings Bay Council of the Navy League from June 2007 to June 2010, followed by service as the Georgia Area President of the Navy League for 5 years. In both of those positions he also served as a National Director on the Navy League National Board. He also served as President of the Camden/Charlton County Board of REALTORS in 2008. He is a member of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce, is the current President-Elect of the St. Marys Kiwanis Club and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys. Of note is that in 2008 as the Navy League Council President, Keith was the Co-Chair for Logistics of the USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) Return to Service Committee and was selected as the Camden/Charlton County REALTOR of the Year. In 2009, in recognition of his numerous community service projects he was awarded the Rosie Kelly Community Service Award by the St. Marys Downtown Merchants Association. Also in 2009, Keith was appointed by Georgia's Lt. Governor Casey Cagle to one of 10 Regional Water Councils. Keith was one of only 5 REALTORS of the 250 members appointed state wide making him one of 25 members who served on the Coastal Region Water Council. These water councils were part of the state-wide three-year effort to develop the State of Georgia's Comprehensive Water Management Plan. In June 2010, he was awarded the Navy League Scroll of Honor for his three year service as Council President of the Camden-Kings Bay Council, and in October 2010 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, he was awarded the Navy Meritorious Public Service Medal by Admiral Gary Roughhead, Chief of Naval Operations, and the Coast Guard Distinguished Pubic Service Medal by RADM William Baumgartner for the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert Papp.
In August of 2009 he and partner Bradley Meyer founded Satilla Computer Solutions serving the information technology needs of the Camden and Glynn County area. In November of 2009, Keith was elected by the citizens of his adopted community and served as City Councilman from January 2010 to December 2013. In January 2011, Keith Post was formally appointed by the Board of Directors as Executive Director of the St. Marys Submarine Museum. In August 2016, at the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans Inc.) National Convention in Reno, Nevada, Keith was presented with the Ben Bastura Historical Achievement Award for his tireless efforts at preserving submarine history and artifacts at the Museum and for his hard work theprevious six years at the Annual WWII Submarine Veterans of WWII Memorial week which is held annually in the fall in Kings Bay.
Job Titles:
- Reporter of the Harford Courant
Sheila M. McNeill was the National President of the Navy League of the United States from 2003 - 2005. The Navy League is the only civilian organization dedicated to supporting the sea services - the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Flag Merchant Marine.
As National President, McNeill was responsible for leading the Navy League's 70,000 members who are dedicated to educating American citizens and elected officials about the importance of sea power. The Georgia native is the first woman to hold this position since the league was founded in 1902. She has been a member of the league since 1966 and served at every leadership level and now serves on the national advisory board and Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Advisory Board. McNeill served as a national vice president responsible for the organization's legislative affiars activities. While serving in that position, the aggressively sought support on Capitol Hill and made educating congressional members about the sea services her rop priority.
She also serves as the National Chairman of the Navy League's "America's Strength" campaign. She is a region leader for the Submairne Industrial Base Conference and on the Board of Directors for the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation.
Because of McNeill's long history of active involvement with the sea services; she served as vice chairman of the executive committee for the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), an influential advisory committee to the secretary of defense and other DOD and DOT officials. During her three-year DACOWITS tour, McNeill visited 45 U.S. Military installations throughout the world.
In her home state of Georgia, McNeill serves as President of the Camden Partnership. She is a member of the Executive Board of the Governor's statewide Military Affairs Coordinating Committee and Board of Directors for the National Strategic Deterrent Coalition. McNeill was commissioning president of the St. Mary's Submarine Museum and Charter Chairman of the Military Community Council. She continues to serve in both organizations. She was co-chairman of the USS Bancroft Sail Exhibit at Kings Bay Submarine Base to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Submarine Force. She has been on the Board of Directors of the Chambers of Commerce in Glynn and Camden Counties. McNeill was named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians in Georgia Trend Magazine. She is the sponsor of the USCGC SEA HORSE (SPB 87361) and served as Chairman of the USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729) Return to Service Committee. She is Chairman of the USNS Brunswick Committee.
For 18 years, a Fortune 500 company employed McNeill where she was responsible for industrial relations and labor negotiations.
McNeill has received numerous awards including the Secretary of the Navy's Distinguished, Superior and Meritorious Public Service medals; the United States Coast Guard's Distinguished and Meritorious Pubic Service medals, the 2004 U.S. Armed Forces Spirit of Hope Award, the International Federation of Maritime Associations Service Medal, and was the first female recipient of the Spanish Navy League's highest honor, the Golden Anchor Award. She is the recipient of various community service awards. The Georgia Chapter of the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) selected McNeill for their Citizen Soldier Award.
McNeill is married to Arlie McNeill, a Navy veteran and long-time Navy League member and national director emeritus. They have one daughter, Leslie, and four grandchildren, Ryan, Norah, Rayne and Kylie.
Sheila McNeill is also a published author. In January 2019, she published her work "What Are You Doing Here?" to tell her story leading up to her tenure as the first woman national president of the U.S. Navy League and afterwards. Extracted from the book's Facebook advertisement, Gordon Jackson wrote the following:
These stories include many people - military, community stewarts, volunteers, and politicians. This one question has swirled around Sheila McNeill since her involvement with the Navy League began 50 years ago. Sometimes it was overheard from nearby conversations when she walked into a room filled with mostly active duty or retired military personnel. Other times, those questioning why a woman with no prior military experience was in the same room. They took a more direct, sometimes confrontational approach when they asked McNeill "What are you doing here?"
Sheila McNeill wrote in her book, "...when Ben Bastura called the St Marys Submarine Museum and said he had some items he wanted to donate to our museum. The Nautilus [Museum] had promised him a room named for him if he donates to them but for some reason he wanted us to have his items. And one condition of that was one of us come to look at his collection. I flew to Connecticut and went to his home. Wow, what a collection from a man who was in the Army. A soldier who was so impressed and so enamored with our Submarine Veterans of WWII that his entire two story home was chocked full of submarine history. When Ben died, it was a tractor trailer load and cost $10,000. It was well worth the costs and we are grateful that he trusted us with his lifelong collection." Ben's collection has been absorbed into the St. Marys Submarine Museum thanks to John Crouse and volunteers he mustered to help with the huge task. Sheila acknowledged Vice Admiral Roger F. Bacon, USN (Retired) for his generosity in scanning the WWII combat war patrol reports and sharing them with all of the submarine museums.
Adding to the Museum's history and its success, there have been numerous benefactors. One that stands out which Ms. McNeill wrote about in her book, was the $34,000.00 that Georgia businessman Jack Schiff donated during a visit he made to the museum on 30 December 1997. Gordon Jackson, a Florida Times-Union writer, wrote an article about it and called it "St. Marys "Angel" Made Sub Museum Possible". This gift facilitated finishing a number of projects that were outstanding since the museum's opening in March 1996. Schiff said "The Navy did so much for me," and was the reason he made the contribution. He told museum officials, "I can never repay what the Navy did for me. I'd like to give the Navy half of what it has given me." Schiff was one of the founders of the Cincinnati Insurance Co. in 1950. Today, its assets total nearly $7 billion dollars. In October 1998, John J. "Jack" Schiff passed away and his family have continued to support the museum. Ms. McNeill concluded, "He is the angel of St. Marys."