Home - Wardroom Club

WELCOME from the PRESIDENT

As President it is my distinct pleasure to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the Wardroom Club website.

Founded in 1899, The Wardroom Club has stood as a beacon of camaraderie and a connection for those who have served their country defending liberty and freedom worldwide at sea, in the air and on the ground. Our mission has expanded to provide a cherished venue where all veterans can continue to nurture the bonds forged through shared experiences, service and sacrifices.

Thank you for visiting our website. Here you will find details of the new members application process and opportunities to connect with other veterans. We invite you to explore, engage and become part of our Wardroom Club, 125 years old in October 2024.

Bud Watson

HISTORY of the WARDROOM CLUB

Shortly before the turn of the 20th century, a group of gentlemen from a Reserve activity called the Naval Brigade formed a dining club which was to meet once a month in Boston. They wanted this club to have an atmosphere as much as possible (with a wine mess included) like that of a Navy Wardroom ashore. Most of the original members were veterans of the Spanish-American war, but they all shared a love of the sea and strong interest in the Navy. The leader in organizing this club was Captain John W. Weeks, USN, destined later to become a Congressman, a Senator, and the Secretary of War. It was his thought to develop a venue for meetings to reminisce about Naval experiences and for the discussion of all things nautical. The Naval Brigade was a very active part of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and it had high “esprit de corps.” Its members affectionately nicknamed themselves “The Web-Footed Volunteers” since many of their training exercises were practice-landing operations on the islands of Boston Outer Harbor. The dining club was soon given the name of “The Wardroom Club” and prospered from the very start under the strong leadership of Captain Weeks. The Club was incorporated on February 14, 1902, at which time its regular meetings were being held at the Wharf Rats Club on India Wharf overlooking Boston Inner Harbor. Soon, however, The Club determined to have quarters of its own, and space was leased at No. 6 Rowe’s Wharf.

Today, nearly a century and a quarter after its founding, the club continues to meet along the Boston waterfront, with meetings that normally occur at the Coast Guard Base in Boston on the third Wednesday of each month. They are held between October and May. After a tasty catered dinner along with a bar, a guest speaker is presented to the Club on one of a wide range of interesting topics.

2023-2024 Wardroom Club Board of Governors

President: CDR. Earl “Bud” Watson USNR (Ret.)

Vice President: Capt. Franklin J. Schwarzer, USMCR

Secretary: LT. Deidre A. Leid, USCG

Assistant Secretary: LT. Stephen A. Walsh, USNR

Treasurer: Capt. Andrew Walsh, USMCR

Assistant Treasurer: Capt. Joseph Garland , USMCR

Acting Member-At-Large: CAPT. Michael A. Cicalese, USCGR (Ret.)

Active Service Liaison: CAPT. Jack Houdeshell, USN

Immediate Past President: Vacant

Chaplain: CAPT. Stephen Castinetti, USN (Ret.)

Historian & Newsletter Editor: LCDR. David W. Graham, USNR (Ret.)

Assistant Historian & Newsletter Editor: Col. Robert D. Loynd, USMC (Ret.)

Website Manager: CAPT Mark Prestero, USN (Ret.)

Assistant Website Manager: CDR. Christopher Harwood, USCGR (Ret.)

Mess Steward: CDR. Colby Rottler, USN (Ret.)

Assistant Mess Steward: CAPT. Evan Watanabe, USCG (Ret)

Special Assistant to the BOG: CAPT. Michael A. Cicalese, USCGR (Ret.)

Special Assistant to the BOG: CAPT. Robert D Pickett, JR USNR (Ret)

Wardroom Club Decorum & Culture

The members of The Wardroom Club are officers, and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly, much as if they were members of a wardroom at sea. The practice of folding chairs to reserve seats prior to dinner is as highly discouraged as talk and chitchat during those times when the club president is presiding at the podium.

Proper attire for Wardroom Club functions includes a jacket and tie, whether civilian or military clothing is worn. We prefer that members wear the Wardroom Club tie to meetings as a gesture of comradeship.

The practice of calling upon members to tell stories after dinner is a tradition and an enjoyable feature of Wardroom Club meetings. While there is a reluctance to curb the ardor and wit of the club’s orators and raconteurs, it must be asked that they use discretion and good taste in order not to offend the sensitivities of fellow members.