Meet our guestspeakers!

Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Joshua L. “JD” Datka, US Navy, Retired

Born in Milwaukee, WI, Senior Chief Datka was raised in Oconomowoc, WI, and attended High School at Centennial Senior High in Circle Pines, MN.

Senior Chief Datka enlisted in the US Navy in July 1999, under the Delayed Entry Program, with the Mentorship of his Grandmother, Pharmacists Mate Third Class Carol Wegner, US Navy WAVES. Followed in the footsteps of his Great Grandfather Watertender Third Class Spencer McElroy and Grandfather Shipfitter Third Class Harvey Wegner, after graduating high school, he attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, IL, in July 2000. He then completed Aviation Maintenance Administrationman ‘A’ School at Naval Air Station Meridian, MS.

In December 2000, he reported to his first duty station aboard NAS Jacksonville, FL, with Commander Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing Atlantic Fleet. During his assignment, he joined the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) for pre-deployment workups and INSURV inspections. He also attended the NAS Jax Auxiliary Security Force Academy and was subsequently activated to the base Police Department after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. He was approved for rating conversion to the Master-at-Arms (Navy Police) rating in 2002 and reported to MA ‘A’ School at Naval Station San Diego, CA, in January 2003. His other shore duty assignments include NAS Jax, NAS Key West, Naval Support Facility Deveselu Romania, and Naval Station Norfolk. While assigned to NAS Key West, he was selected as the 2010 Senior Sailor of the Year.

His Sea Duty/Deploying assignments include Mobile Security Squadron Seven – Detachment 71, Guam; HS-11 Dragonslayers, NAS Jax; USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) and USS COLE (DDG 67), NAVSTA Norfolk; and USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), NAVSTA Mayport. While assigned to MSS-7, he deployed on USS CORONADO (AGF 11), USNS GYSGT FRED W. STOCKHAM (TAK 3017) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines, USNS PFC JAMES ANDERSON (TAK 3002) in support of Tsunami Relief Operations in Thailand, and USNS MERCY (TAH 19) in support of Operation Unified Assistance during Tsunami Relief Operations in Indonesia. While Assigned to HS-11, he deployed on USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), during it’s 2006 World Cruise in direct support of OIF & OEF.

Josh was selected to the paygrade of Chief Petty Officer in 2013 and Senior Chief in 2019. He is a “Plankowner” of both MSS-7 and NSF Deveselu. He retired from Naval Service on January 31st, 2023. His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (Three Awards), Navy Achievement Medal (Nine Awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and numerous other unit and campaign awards. He is authorized to wear the Enlisted Surface Warfare and Enlisted Aviation Warfare specialist insignia’s.

Josh and his wife Tricia now live in Middleburg, FL with their sons, Joshua, Spencer, and Teddy.

Cindy Addison, born in Toledo, Ohio, to Daniel and Shirley (Schaub) Staifer has been a DAR member since February 3, 1995, joining the Gettysburg Chapter with her mother. She transferred to London, England with her Navy husband (of 48 years) and worked as a Federal Civil Servant till her retirement as a GS13 in 2007.

DAR’s many programs featuring all aspects of National Defense has enabled Cindy to serve Veterans and Active-Duty personnel—her passion as a Navy wife.

An Honorary Chapter Regent of the Sophia Fleming Chapter, Cindy served as Florida Membership Chair from 2013-2015 during the Wolfe Administration, and again in the Poffenberger Administration; and as National Defense Committee Chair during the Yarbrough Administration.

She was elected Florida State Historian 2017-2019 and served as the author/editor/compiler of the 2009-2019 FSSDAR 10 Year History Book—1,112 pages! During the NSDAR VanBuren Administration, Cindy served as the National Vice Chair for Membership—Prospective Member Database. Cindy served as the Florida State Vice Regent 2021-2023, State Application Team Chair, DAR Speakers and Non-DAR Speakers Directory Chair and as the National Vice Chair for Master Reports Committee – Chapter Master Report for the Wright Administration. She has presented six training webinars to the National DAR audience and numerous programs to Florida Daughters including her favorites: Insignia, Real Daughters of the DAR, and DAR in World War I

On Saturday, March 4, 2023, Cindy was elected State Regent of Florida, 2023-2025 term. She was sashed as Florida State Regent, July 2, 2023, at the 132nd Continental Congress.

It is Cindy’s honor to serve the Florida Daughters during her term.

5th annual Appreciation Dinner- Soldiers Freedom Outdoors

a night to honor our military, sponsors, donors and volunteers