Most of us probably didn’t even know it, but last Friday, Aug. 19, was Tom Tack Day in Oak Harbor, by official proclamation of Mayor Jim Slowik.
“We are saddened to lose a valuable member of our community,” Slowik said.
Slowik made the announcement during a farewell luncheon for Tack, hosted by the Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy League and held at the Officers’ Club at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Tack, a former Navy pilot, had served as president of the Navy League since Feb., 2010. He announced his resignation at the beginning of the month, because he accepted a job with the Northrup Grumman Corporation in New York.
“I just want to say that being a member of this council has been an absolute honor,” Tack told the gathering. “This council is so good and so many people do great things here.”
Tack said he will miss Whidbey Island, but promised to be back.
“I can promise I’ll be back on Whidbey Island — Northrup Grumman never leaves Whidbey Island,” he said.
Another reason he’s sure to return to Whidbey Island is the fact he’s leaving one of his four children behind to finish his senior year at Coupeville High School.
Tack said four different families approached him and his wife to extend the same offer of a temporary home to his son.
“That’s just Whidbey Island and that’s why we love it so much,” he said. “But Long Island is beautiful, too, and a heck of a lot like Whidbey Island.”
Tack’s departure from the Navy League will leave a hole, said acting co-president Dick Devlin.
“(Tom) immediately joined Navy League following his retirement (from the Navy) and was elected as OHAC president in February 2010,” Devlin said. “As president of our council his leadership, direct connections throughout the NASWI community, and his appreciation of the men and women of the OHAC was paramount. He will be missed.”
“He is one of those people that no matter what they’re doing in the community, they’re contributing,” said Beth Munns, Navy League coastal area president and OHAC co-president. “We will miss his contribution to whatever it is, whether it’s a fundraiser or an idea to help sailors.”
Helping sailors is the first thing that came to Tack’s mind when asked what he would miss the most about this particular Navy League council.
“You can have a tangible impact on sailors’ lives and their families’ lives,” he said. “And the camaraderie and friendships that have developed within this council — this is a tight-knit group, but so welcoming to new members.”
Tack said he hopes to see a continuing emphasis on developing new members.
“It’s an imperative thing in this town to have a strong Navy League,” he said.
“Membership has been and remains a key focus,” Devlin said. “Our council needs to grow and attract from the civilian community fresh energy, ideas and skills.”
Munns and Devlin will serve out the remainder of Tack’s term as president. Both are past presidents of the local council and are still very active in the group.
“We just felt like it could be comfortable to share the presidency and be done in a seamless way for the council,” Munns said.
“Beth and I share a passion for citizen support for the maritime services,” Devlin said. “Our priority one will be to ensure we continue doing the big and the little things that support our troops, their spouses and children.
“Challenges include selecting and electing a slate of candidates for the presidency and board of directors, with installation set for Feb., 2012,” he continued.
According to both Devlin and Munns, the next big project for the local Navy League Council will be the military appreciation picnic, set for Sept. 10.
An unscripted “Hip hip!” by Navy League member Helen Chatfield-Weeks was met with an enthusiastic “Hooray” from the rest of the crowd, as the Oak Harbor Area Council sent former president Tack on his way with three cheers.
