Circumnavigators Blog

Welcome Circumnavigators

Nov 202011

110 Years and Counting

How many organizations can boast of 110 years of existence? We wonder if our “Three Immortals” who founded the club in 1902 expected the Circumnavigators Club to last this long. It has been 110 years of camaraderie and friendship as our members strive to leave the world a little better than they found it.

So, in this Anniversary Year, we are striving to bring our membership closer together, by sharing stories and experiences. Our updated web site and our revamped Log are part of our strategy to strengthen our membership—one that is filled with outstanding, fascinating individuals.

We hope you enjoyed the latest issue of The Log. In the spirit of the original Log, started more than 100 years ago, our venerable publication is filled with members’ stories from around the world. You can find a link to The Log by going to the members-only tab on this site. If you don’t know the password, contact headquarters.

Please join us in sharing your stories, news and photographs. Send them to headquarters by email or snail mail. We welcome your contributions.

Luck to You!!

David A. Mink
Chair, Communications Committee

Tracy J. Sancilio
Executive Director

The 2012 Magellan Award Honorees Are…

The Blog No Responses »

May 092012

The Circumnavigators Club is pleased to announce the honorees for the 2012 Order of Magellan

Astronauts and Twin Brothers

Mark Kelly & Scott Kelly

Mark Kelly is a retired American astronaut, U.S. Navy captain and naval aviator who flew combat missions during the Gulf War. He was selected to become a NASA space shuttle pilot in 1996 and flew his first mission in 2001 as pilot of STS-108. He piloted STS-121 in 2006 and commanded STS-124 in 2008 and STS-134 in 2011. STS-134 was his final mission and the final mission of space shuttle Endeavour. Kelly is married to U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords.

Kelly’s identical twin brother, Scott Kelly, is also an astronaut and served as commander of International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 26. The Kelly brothers are the only twins and only siblings to have both traveled in space.

Mark Kelly and his brother Scott were both selected to be shuttle pilots by NASA in 1996. They joined the astronaut corps in August of that year. Mark Kelly has logged over 38 days in space.

Scott Kelly is an American astronaut and was commander of the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 26.

Kelly’s first spaceflight was as pilot of Space Shuttle Discovery during STS-103 in December 1999. This was the third servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, and lasted for just under 8 days. His second spaceflight was as mission commander of STS-118, a 12-day space shuttle mission to the International Space Station in August 2007.

Kelly became a long-duration crewmember of ISS on October 9, 2010, after arriving on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. He arrived at the station during Expedition 25, serving as a flight engineer. He took over command of the station on November 25, 2010, at the start of Expedition 26 which began officially when the spacecraft Soyuz TMA-19 undocked, carrying the previous commander of the station, Douglas H. Wheelock.

He currently serves as the International Space Station operations branch chief.

Join us as we honor Mark and Scott Kelly on

Friday, December 14, 2012
at the historic
Union League Club
New York City

(Details to come)

Circumnavigators Welcome Guest Speaker Daniel McSweeney

Events, The Blog No Responses »

Mar 262012

Circumnavigators and guests enjoyed cocktails and a delicious buffet dinner at Connolly’s Pub and Restaurant in New York City on March 20. Guest speaker, Daniel McSweeney presented the history and current status of efforts to save and re-purpose Amercia’s “ship of state”, the SS United States. This majestic ship is the largest passenger ship ever built in America and still holds the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing by ship, which she set in 1952. She was also a stealth military weapon, possessing top-secret design features and the potential to carry an entire Army division 10,000 miles withour refueling.

After her withdrawal from service in 1969, the SS United States was laid up, stripped, and tarnished by neglect. Miraculously this great icon avoided the indignity of being bought by scrappers, and is now one of the last surviving luxury liners from the golden age of transatlantic travel. Since 1996, she has been docked in Philadelphia, awaiting her fate. On February 1, 2011, the SS United Staes Conservancy took ownership of the ship and plans to manage an on-board museum, conduct educational programs and assure the restoration and preservation of the ship’s most historically significant features. The future goal to is bring this historical ship to New York City.

Another special guest, SS United States deck officer, Paul Krinsky, joined fellow Circumnavigators to share his experience on the ship. Paul Krinsky was an American marine and sailor. He served as the superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy from 1987 to 1993 and attained the rank of rear admiral. Circumnavigator Pastpresident Al Morasso attended the Academy with Mr. Krinsky.

Circumnavigators enjoyed a wonderful evening.

: Paul Krinsky with Pastpresident Al Morasso

: Bernard and Linda McDonnell with guests William and Pam Garver

: Lois Kahan with Heidi Heutel Bohn from the Chicago Chapter

: Howard Matson with Lois Kahan

: Guest Carol Hardy with Christine Mosse

: Ken Linsner with Marilu Ramirez

: Howard Matson with President Esther Dyer

: Firstvicepresident Peter Mosse introduces Daniel McSweeney

: Daniel McSweeney

: Al Morasso introduces Paul Krinsky

: Elizabeth and Fred Minnich with Helen Jost Mulligan

: Paul Krinsky

: Firstvicepresident Peter Mosse, Daniel McSweeney, President Esther Dyer, Pastpresidents Bill Holm, Howard Matson and Al Morasso, Paul Krinsky

Foundation Scholars Reflect on their Circumnavigation

Foundation, The Blog 2 Responses »

Dec 122011

Click here to read the PDF

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Circumnavigator Club Foundation, we have compiled Around the World for 40 Years. Read reflections from many of our scholars on how their travels have influenced their lives in this PDF.

Excerpts:
“My circumnavigation opportunity was probably the best educational experience of my life… it taught me life lessons about the value of other beliefs and cultures, the wonders of friendship and hospitality, and the blessings of being a U.S. Citizen.” – Hank Shea

“The gift to travel the globe, alone, at such a young age, and with such latitude, was nothing short of magical, transformative, and enlightening. A formative experience, personally and professionally.” – Elspeth Williams
Continue reading »