Admiral Robert Natter dedicated 41 distinguished years to the U.S. Navy, culminating his remarkable career in 2003 as Commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. A combat Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Silver Star for valor, Admiral Natter’s story is one of perseverance, courage, and leadership at the highest levels of naval command.

His journey began at age 17, when he enlisted while still in high school. Following one year of enlisted service and graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Natter rose through the ranks to become a four-star admiral. In his final active-duty assignment, he served as Commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, the first Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and the first to lead all U.S. Navy and Coast Guard homeland defense forces under the newly created Northern Command. He also served as Commander-in-Chief of the NATO Western Atlantic Command. At that time, the Atlantic Fleet comprised more than 160,000 Sailors and Marines, 162 ships, 1,200 aircraft, and 18 major shore stations—an extraordinary responsibility that reflected his strategic vision and steady leadership.

On the day of the 9/11 terrorist attacks after having lost communications with the Pentagon leadership, Admiral Natter directed the immediate deployment of the Carrier USS George Washington to waters off Long Island to provide fighter cover for New York and two Cruisers up the Chesapeake Bay to provide missile defense of Washington.

Among Admiral Natter’s many military decorations are the Silver Star Medal, four awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” and the Purple Heart. His personal honors also include the Order of the Rising Sun on behalf of the Emperor of Japan, the Order of National Security Medal from the President of the Republic of Korea, the 2003 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the 2004 Distinguished Sea Service Leader of the Year Award from the Naval Order of the United States.

Admiral Natter also holds master’s degrees in Business Management and International Relations and was the fifth recipient of the Naval War College’s Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award. In 2012, he was elected Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees, representing more than 55,000 living graduates, and he served on the Board of the National Navy SEAL Museum.

Admiral Natter and his wife, Claudia, have called Ponte Vedra Beach home since 2004. Their family’s legacy of service runs deep—all six of his brothers served in the military, and both of his sisters married military officers. The tradition continues with his daughters: Kelly, a retired Navy helicopter pilot with 20 years of service; Kendall, who served as a pediatric oncology nurse in the Navy for five years; and Courtney, currently an active-duty surface warfare officer with 17 years of service. Bob and Claudia just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and the PVCA wants to congratulate them and wish them many more happy years together!

As a leader, veteran, and neighbor, Admiral Natter’s example reminds us that service to country and community are inseparable—and enduring.

When most people think of joining the military, they picture 18-year-olds just out of high school. But for Marcia Plumley, who enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 33, age was no barrier; it was motivation. 

“I wanted a little discipline in my life,” she recalled with a smile, reflecting on the moment she swapped a teacher’s desk for combat boots. Her friends and family thought she was crazy. Even the drill sergeants in Alabama seemed to agree, quickly nicknaming her “Grandma.” The teasing didn’t deter her. “They tried to run me off,” she said, “but I stuck it out.” 

That persistence defined the next three decades of her life. Born in San Francisco and raised in Madera, California, Plumley grew up with a father who worked as a lawyer and judge and a mother who cared for the home. She carried those influences into her own military career, eventually joining the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) as a Legal Administrator. 

Her path was unconventional. While most soldiers transition from active duty to the reserves, Plumley did it in reverse, spending her first seventeen years balancing reserve service with her civilian job in the District Attorney’s office. She later served ten years on active duty, from California to Germany, Honduras, and Korea, investigating court-martial cases, homicides, sexual assault and drug-related offenses. “I loved my work,” she said. “If I could, I’d go back and do the exact same thing again, just start earlier.” 

Plumley retired from the Army at 60, closing a career marked by purpose, discipline, and adventure. In 2013, she moved to St. Augustine, then two years later moved to the Fairfield community of Ponte Vedra Beach. Retirement has hardly slowed her down. She now serves as the interclub chairman for the ladies’ nine-hole golf group at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, blending leadership with her lifelong love of the outdoors. 

Whether swimming laps, kayaking, or hiking local trails, Plumley embraces every moment of Florida’s natural beauty. Each summer, she escapes the heat for 4-6 weeks in California, where she reconnects with friends in Monterey, Pebble Beach, San Diego and Lake Tahoe, and happily assumes her seasonal role as a cat-sitter. 

From teaching to serving her country to making new friends on the golf course, Marcia Plumley’s story is a testament to courage at every age. Her life reminds others that daring to take an unexpected path can lead to extraordinary places. 

We look forward to highlighting other veterans in future newsletters and we are honored to share their stories with our community. 

The next MSD meeting is Monday, November 10th at 5:30 pm at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch of the St Johns County Library in the FOL Room. The library is located at 101 Library Blvd

The public is encouraged to attend the MSD Board meeting and to express their opinions. Minutes from the September 8th meeting (most recent available) are here, and minutes from the September 17th Final Budget Hearing are here.

Notes from the October 13th MSD meeting:

1. The installation of new street lights throughout the MSD area will be completed in 2026.

2. The 100 block of Ponte Vedra Boulevard continues to be a hotspot for speeding. Warnings have been written up to this point; summons will be the next step.

3. Potholes on Ponte Vedra Boulevard will be addressed.

4. American flags will be going up around the area to celebrate Veterans Day.

5. Within the next few weeks, a two block sidewalk will be installed on the north side of San Juan Drive at the intersection of San Juan Drive and Ponte Vedra Boulevard. A crosswalk on PV Boulevard will also be marked.This is for safety purposes for walkers seeking beach access. 

6. Reconstruction of Pablo Road bridge will re-commence but no timeline exists for that project.

7. Miranda road bridge will also be reconstructed but no timeline exists for that project.