AUSN Burke Chapter Celebrates 36th Annual Mess Night

CAPT Thomas Dufficy, USN (Ret), presents an Honorary Plank Owner certificate to Jaime Burke Wood at the 2025 AUSN Burke Chapter Mess Night. Seated to the right: LCDR Patric Murphy, president of the Burke Chapter.

CAPT Kevin Mannix, USN (Ret), who was the “Skipper” of the Blue Angels with 1,328 arrested endings on 12 different carriers, addressed the 78 attendees at the Mess Night.

The 36th Annual AUSN Burke Chapter Mess Night, with 78 attendees, was held at the Larchmont Yacht Club in Larchmont, NY, in March.  The evening featured an address by CAPT Kevin Mannix, USN (Ret), who was the “Skipper” of the Blue Angels. During his career he made 1,328 arrested endings on 12 different carriers. LCDR Patrick Murphy, president of the Burke Chapter, also addressed the group.

CAPT Tom Dufficy USN (Ret), 30-year president of the Mess, presented an Honorary Plank Owner certificate to Jaime Burke Wood, daughter of Ens. James F. Burke, Jr. who was born after her father was killed in Vietnam in 1967. Jaime Burke Wood recently retired as the Fire Chief in the Federal Fire Department System, where she had responsibilities for more than 200 federal fire stations covering the states of California, Nevada and Arizona.

Ten Midshipmen/Cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY, and State University of N.Y. Maritime College were guests at the event.

This was the first “Dining-Out,” as all prior 35 Mess Nights had been “Dining In” events.

Enjoying the 36th Annual AUSN Burke Chapter Mess Night (left to right): CAPT Ted Mason, USN (Ret), a vice-president of the Mess; Ms. Fleurette Casssara; CAPT Tom Dufficy, USN (Ret), 30-year president of the Mess; Mrs. Frank Goldszer; and CAPT Frank Goldszer, USN MC (Ret), past president of the Mess. Photos Courtesy of AUSN Burke Chapter