U.S. Navy JAG Visits YMCA of Metro Chicago

On Wednesday, April 5, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago was fortunate (and very excited!) to host U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Del Crandall at the McCormick YMCA in Logan Square.

Vice Admiral Crandall, a native of nearby Elgin, Illinois, serves as the Navy’s Judge Advocate General (JAG), the top attorney for that branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. As part of a planned business trip to the region, the Vice Admiral and his team spent a few days in the Chicagoland area and met with individuals from a number of educational, nonprofit, and community organizations in the city and suburbs.

During his McCormick Y visit and tour, Vice Admiral Crandall met with early-education learners, youth Spring Break Camp participants, Association leadership, and McCormick YMCA members and staff. Our youth participants very enthusiastically welcomed the Vice Admiral to the Y — complete with multiple signs and a chorus of cheers — and then engaged Vice Admiral Crandall in conversation about his career, Y sports and rec, and the importance of health and fitness. A Spring Break camper even challenged the Vice Admiral to a plank contest! (After several minutes of planking, it was declared a tie.)

McCormick YMCA Executive Director, Angel La Luz, a veteran of the U.S. Army, led the site visit and shared information about YMCA programming, including Swim for Success, which connects Chicago youth of color with resources, training, and jobs as lifeguards and swim instructors. Vice Admiral Crandall agreed that connecting individuals of all ages and backgrounds with swimming lessons and programming is important as a life-saving skill. 

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago thanks Vice Admiral Crandall and his team for visiting the McCormick Y, for their time spent with Y staff, members, and participants, and for their service to our country.