The Christmas Party started at 1800 hours with a feast at 1830 hours. Following the feast of many special POT LUCK dishes. plus the feast the host had set up for the dinner. There was plenty for everyone and some left over.

It was noted that most of our member were having some health issues for there were several that couldn't make it due to health issues.  Since our last Christmas Party (2016), out ranks have become thinner: The loss of CDR Jerry STRUCK (one of our founding members of the Southeast Chapter); LCDR Bud PARHAM; and AGC Gary Titus had major surgery followed by extended stay in REHAB. The last time we heard from Chief Titus was a month ago and we haven't been able to make any contact with him or his family. A plead went out to our member hoping that we could find out some information be didn't have any luck.

We covered the 2018 reunion in New Orleans, hoping that we would have several members at the reunion. We also reminded members that they should put together a history of their military service for the future and it could be saved by the Chapter. This was what LCDR Bud Parham did about 10 years ago.

We wanted to tell our members that we do file a tax return (990ez) each year and if any one requests a copy in writing (e-mail or letter); we will provide them the most recent. We reminded members that our AEROGRAPH had a copy of renewal of Membership application in the back and if anyone needs a copy, contact the Chapter and we would ensure that they receive it. Also, we can provide copies of the SHIFT COLORS and if they attended the Lakehurst A of B Schools, we will attempt find a copy for them. They must provide the appx date of the Class GRAD or at least the year.  We are still trying to obtain class photos from the years that the school was with the Air Force but no luck at this time.

Reminded or members, we do not have dues and we pay our way by doing the 50/50 each year. We do pay for a page or half page in the Reunion book each year. We explained that we had problems with members address because we have AOL as out quick addresses for e-mail and tracking. They changed to AOL GOLD and it crashed more than 90% of a data base but we are slowly recovering.  It any member knows of some Weather Types that we are not in contact with let me know their Name and Address.

Since there was no additional business, we adjourned our meeting. Did our group photos and departed at 2130. We would like to thank Ms Tasha McGowens (my granddaughter) for her assistance in taking photos.  We hope that we will be able to see everyone next year and a few more added.

Members Present:  AGC Sal & Susan Magaddine; AGCM Joe & Rhonda McGarr; AGC Sidney & Nancy Whitaker (visiting from VA); AGC Tina & Leo Sapp; AGC Larry Cain; LT Fred & Lina Bergman; AG2 Gerald & Sandra Burk; LT Todd & Cheryl McDonald; AGC Bob & Charline Johnson with guest Teresa McGowens and Tash McGowens; AGCS Steve Turco; AGCS Frank & Jane Andrews; Mrs Virginia Morgan and Berkley (granddaughter); AG2 Tom Berkeridge.   

This was the second year that we were under the threat of a hurricane. Last year we had Matthew hit the Jacksonville area on the night of the meeting, and this time, we were under the threat of IRMA, a CAT 5 Hurricane heading our way.

We had a great turn out:  Our President TODD and CHERYL and daughter, AGC/AW Salvatore and Susan Magaddino, Mr. Chuck Bergman, LT Fred and Lina Bergman, AG1 Clarence and Antonaitt Grayson, AGCS Steve Turco (1st  VP), AGCS Lloyd and Daisy Corbett, AGCM Joe McGarr, and AGC Bob and Charline Johnson (2nd VP), attending.

We had another new member attending for the first time. They just moved from Columbia SC to Jacksonville and closed on a home just before the scheduled arrival of Hurricane IRMA – what a welcome. We welcome AGC Jim and Sandy Kilmer to Jacksonville. We had been in contact with Jim and Sandy for about 3 years when they started thinking of retiring in Jacksonville. He is a former member of the National Weather Service and Naval Weather Service.

The first business: we wanted to advise our members that there would be a Christmas Party and all weather types would be welcome, but we would need to know in advance. It will be held again at LT TODD McDONALD's home on December 7th (Friday) at 1800 hours.

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We assisted in passing along information to correct an error in the Annual Oceanographer of the Navy Award (It was award related to the first AGC John Dungan Jr. AGCS Enrique Acosta Gonzalez received the award but there was an error in the information. It should be corrected in the next AEROGRAPH.

We went over the information of the members that have passed away and importance of having details saved of their career and where to leave the OBIT or History of Weather Service career. We are collecting information saving it on the disk for family member if requested. We lost the following members this past year: AGC RAYMOND BIERLY, AGC GALE CAPLEY, LCDR BUD PARHAM.

Other AGENDA ITEMS: We put up on display the following: The past 3 years of our tax return (990EZ), past AEROGRAPH, BELLINGER LIST, SHIFT COLORS, FRA Today. They were there if they would like to review them or, if they would like to have one, it would be sent to them upon request. Also, if they attended A or B School in Lakehurst, and if they would like photo of their class, send us a request and we would attempt locate it and send it to them. We provided blank copies for the form to apply for membership in the National NWSA, provided the location on the Web for Facebook and NWSA. If have problems, we will assist.

Following a group photo, we secured the meeting and left while we had great weather. We did know of several that decided to evacuate early. Roads were already full on Wednesday and it only was going to get worse.

We would like to thank our host the Golden Corral for their great service. Other special guests were family members that joined us for a great dinner.

We adjourned at 8:45 p.m.