Story and photo by Fumiyo Sato, CFAY Public Affairs


(Left) Yokosuka Ombudsmen Vice Chair Nizzah Bradley, CFAY Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Weed and Yokosuka Ombudsmen Chair Colleen Bourgeois cut the cake during the Ombudsmen Appreciation Dinner Sept. 18.


More than 140 people came out to show their appreciation to Yokosuka area ombudsmen at a dinner held in their honor Sept. 18. This year, 36 ombudsmen from 31 ships and shore commands were joined by their spouses, co-workers and commanding officers at the Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) Officer’s Club.

The Navy Ombudsman Family Program was established by Admiral E.R. Zumwalt, Jr. then Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), recognizing the issues and concerns unique to Navy families. It allows Navy spouses to present complaints, viewpoints and suggestions directly to commanding officers.

“This volunteer program is designed to provide better communication between Navy families and Navy officials,” said Fleet and Family Support Center Ombudsman Coordinator Brenda Ray. “Ombudsmen are chosen individually by the commanding officers of each command. They announce the position, and in turn, applications are taken and interviews held by the commanding officer, at which point, he decides who will take the position.”

CFAY Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Weed, who was the keynote speaker, spoke of his appreciation to all the ombudsmen for their contributions and support.

“I cannot say enough [about] what our ombudsmen do. They absolutely refused to be recognized by name for what they accomplished,” said Weed. “That is something truly rare and unique. They do it unselfishly everyday without fame and fortune, and I truly and genuinely appreciate that.”

During his speech, Weed revealed as a surprise, a conceptual drawing of the Ombudsman Park fountain, which will be built near the Navy Lodge. “We will have a monument to Navy ombudsmen; to truly recognize how important they are,” said Weed.

Following a cake cutting with Yokosuka ombudsman chair and vice chair, Weed and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) Rear Adm. Richard Wren presented a certificate, command plaque and gift to each ombudsman.

After all the ombudsmen received their certificates, the entire audience stood and applauded for their contribution and hard work. The dinner concluded with a commemorative group photo.

“My favorite moment was the revealing of the Ombudsman Park fountain,” said Space and Naval Warfare Command Ombudsman April Young. “I felt honored to be there and was overwhelmed with the gifts of appreciation.”