President: LT Todd McDonald USN RET (Re-elected 2 Yr Term)
1st Vice Pres: AGCS Steve Turco USN RET
2nd Vice Pres: AGC Bob Johnson USN RET (Re-elected 2 Yrs)
Sec/Treas: AGCS Frank Andrews USN RET
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Source: Email Wed 4/25/2012 09:57 AM
The NWSA SE Chapter held it Spring Meeting at the Orange Buffet in Orange Park on April 19th at 1900 hours.
All officer were present. Members and Guest present: AGCM Bob Bentley, LT Fred Bergman, Dewey Walker (U.S. Army Retired, Guest), LCDR Dick Pritchard, AGC Thomas & Virginia Morgan, AGC Bob & Charline Johnson, AGCS Steve Turco, AGCS Lloyd & Daisy Corbett, AGCS Frank & Jane Andrews & Guest, LT Todd & Cheryl McDonald & Guest, AGCS Glenn Barton, AGCM Joe McGarr, AG1 Clarence & Cynthia Grayson, and LT Fred & Lina Bergman. Following the dinner, we welcome everyone and their guest by telling them that this is the largest number we’ve had at a regular meeting in several years.
First thing on the AGENDA was election of officer for two year terms. LT Todd McDonald was reelected to serve another term of two years and AGC Bob Johnson was reelected to serve another term of two years as 2nd VP. At the 2013 April meeting, AGCS Steve Turco term will expire and at the 2014 April meeting, the term of Sect/Trea will expire.
We read the names of the recent AG’s and Officers of the Weather Service that have sailed from port and request for fair winds and smooth seas: AGCS Gerald Edwards, Capt Sam Houston, LT David Lieb, AG1 Robert Wishek (local), AGCS Camilo Martinez, and AG1 Patrick Garamen.
Discussed the minutes from prior meeting and that they are not posted in the AEROGRAPH. They had been posted on the National Office Web Site. Suggested that members check out the Web Site. We discussed the need of someone to take over the AEROGRAPH and that Jacksonville would be a great place to have it because we have the postal office here that can handle the bulk mailing. No one would assume the duties because they travel during the summer and fall or were still working.
We must do everything we can to build our membership. Recruit when and where every we can find them. We didn't have a single Active Duty person as a member at the present time. Since we are not having any additional members come out from the fleet, we must beat the bushes for new members. I called CDR Jerry Struck recently and his thoughts are that without additional new member, NWSA may last only 5 to 10 years more. AGCS Lloyd Corbett came up with a suggestion, that maybe we could have some of our meeting in local areas out side of the Jacksonville or Orange Park area, maybe in Orlando, Charleston, or Tallahassee. This may result in new members from these area. Currently we are sending out e-mails for AG’s and Officers that live within 150 miles of Jacksonville. We could have National Officers attending the local meetings and that may result in additional members attending. Maybe the National Office could assist with expenses of having these officers attend the local meetings. About 5 years ago at the Reunion meeting, it was voted that there would be someone appointed to head up recruitment program but it has not been activated or effective. Maybe that would be a place to start at the next reunion. NWSA SE has worked to keep our members informed by using a data base for sending out e-mails, and when we did not get a response to the e-mail (after 3 attempts), we have started making telephone calls. We send out over a 100 e-mails each time we have information to be sent out about our meetings. If we do not received a RSVP from the e-mails about our meetings, that is when we start making calls. We send out the e-mails at least 3 time before we start making the calls. We had been mailing letters when there was no reply, but the cost was just too high. The cost was about 60 cents per letter for printing and mailing. We were mailing almost 100 letters per meeting, but we had to stopped that since we have no dues to cover the cost. For this meeting, we had a near record number of members and guest. Our longest distance anyone traveled was from South Carolina (thanks to AGC KILMER). We had responses from more than 40 stating that they were unable to attend our meeting. Most stated that they or spouse were still working, medical issues, the distance, traveling, or were baby sitting. We found that about 50% of the calls were not completed because the phone was disconnected or no longer in service. Many members are now switching to cell phones as their main phone service and they did not keep their old phone number. If you change your information, please send in a change of address to our office. If you send the information to NWSA SE, it is updated the same day I receive it and we will forward it to the National Office if you want that service. We adjourned at 2010 hours after another great meal.
Late Information: Our Christmas Party will be held on December 7th, Cocktails at 1730 hours and Dinner at 1900 hours. We will hold our Winter meeting following dinner. It will be held at the Fleet Reserve Branch 091 on Collins Road in Jacksonville. More details will follow late October via e-mail. Guest will be welcome. Estimated cost $15.00 per person. Children 12 and under FREE.
Submitted by AGC Bob Johnson USN RET
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Source: Email Mon 12/19/11 10:18 AM
Officers: LT TODD McDONALD, President
AGCS STEVE TURCO, 1st VP
AGC BOB JOHNSON, 2nd VP
AGCS FRANK ANDREWS, Sec/Trea
The NWSA Southeast Chapter held its Fall Meeting and Christmas Party at the
Fleet Reserve (Branch 91) on December 10th. The following members attending:
AGCS Steve & Cherry Turco, AGCM Bob & Judy Bentley, AGCS Frank & Jane Andrews and Guest Hanna, LT Todd & Cheryl McDonald and Guest Mya, AGC Bob & Charline Johnson, AGC Tim & Linda Kenefick, AGCS Ron Johnson, and AGCS Barry & Jocelyn Brockman and Guest Jessica Brockman. We welcomed our most distance traveler in from Charleston, SC, Tim and Linda Kenefick. We had some last minute cancellation, AGCS Lloyd and Daisy Corbett, LCDR Dick and Marsha Pritchard, AGCM Joe and Rhonda McGarr and Tina Lambert due other emergencies.
We had a great meal and passed out door prizes with everyone receiving a gift following dinner. As in the past, AGCS Andrews, with the assistance of some volunteers, put on a great spread of Christmas treats and all of the tables being decked out. It was one of the best dinners we have every had. There was plenty for all. We made contact with more than 70 members via Postal Service and another 75 plus via e-mail and phone calls. We had a very large number that responded stating that they were unable to make the Christmas Party but they sent their regards and best wishes. Most of the ones that were unable to make the party stated that due too health reasons or work they were unable to attend.
We held a 50/50 drawing and collected $50, $25 went to the postage fund since it had gone dry from the mailing on party notices. Other door prizes were spread out among our members. Then there was the White Elephant prizes that everyone entered into the drawing. We had donations to the postage fund of $10 from Lloyd Corbett and additional $55 was donated to the party fund by Todd McDonald. We thank everyone for their support and assistance.
Business: We remembered the passing of two of our members in 2011. Ray Hennessey (one of the founding members of the Chapter) and Robert Wishnek.
AGCS Lloyd Corbett and AGC Bob Johnson visited LCDR Bud Parham. He gave the NWSA SE a CD about his life that he had wrote back in 2004. We check with him about attending the Christmas Party but due to health reasons, he said that he would not be able to attend. AGCS Corbett went to Live Oak and visited LT George Buie. On December the 5th, it was his 70th anniversary and he is spending all of his spare time with his wife who is currently in a care facility. Charline Johnson had her 70th birthday on the 11th, the day after the party. We would like to thank everyone that attending the party and those that help in setting the party up. Chef Frank Andrews did an outstanding job again.
We closed our meeting and party shortly after 9 a.m.
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Source: Aerograph May 2011
Pres: LT Todd McDonald USN Ret
1st VP: AGCS Steve Turco USN Ret
2nd VP: AGC Bob Johnson USN Ret
Sec/Trea: AGCS Frank Andrews USN Ret
Southeast Chapter held its spring meeting on April 7th at 1830 at the Orange Buffet in Orange Park. We had a good turn out with the following members: LT FRED & LINA BERGMAN, ROBERT NIEMEYER (NOAA), AGC SIDNEY & NANCY WHITAKER, AGCS FRANK & JANE ANDREWS plus Grandchildren, AGCS LLOYD & DAISY CORBETT, AGC BOB & CHARLINE JOHNSON, AGCS STEVE TURCO, LT TODD & CHERYL McDONALD plus Grandchildren, AGCM BOB BENTLEY, LCDR DICK & MARSHA PRITCHARD and MRS TERRY ZUMWALDE. We had 25 additional members that responded back that they were unable to attend our meeting for various reasons, mostly due to health or traveling. We are happy to report that AGCM Marty Bonk is in the process of moving back to Florida near Daytona Beach after an extended stay in Georgia. Sorry to lose Ed Frandle. He has moved to Tennessee and Dennis Paquin is still in Iraq.
LT TODD McDONALD opened the meeting by calling for each member to contact other former Navy AG’s, Officer or Civilian’s weather personnel and get them to the meetings. AGCS Lloyd Corbett passed out Bio’s on LT GEORGE BUIE, LT WILLIAM O’NEIL, AGC MIKE RHINE, CWO WALTER WINFREY, AG1 VICTOR MILFORD, CDR FRED OLSEN, CDR DON CRUSE, AGC GEROGE MANNION and LCDR BILL BRIDGE, plus a list of promotions of E8 and E9 starting in 1958 thru 1960. Senior Chief Corbett also provided information that LT Bill O’Neil is the current oldest identified at the age of 97 and LT George Buie was identified as the longest serving with 71 years as an Aerographers Mate. I was in contact with AGC Mike Rhine, one of the last two former WW2 POW’s. He said that due to his age (almost 90) and health, he would not be attending any more of our meetings. He is currently living in the Titusville FL area. An appeal went out to our members and any other AG types too provide us with a BIO and we would see that it is published in the Chapters History and sent to The Aerograph.
I was in contact with LCDR Ray Hennessey (a long time member of SE Chapter and VW-4) and his health prevents him from attending our meetings. Our prayers goes out for Ray.
It was pointed out that at NWSA National meeting in 2008; there would be a push to get its VP to be Membership Chairman. SE Chapter is going ahead with its attempt to have a major drive for getting our members back to our meetings. Each person should contact other weather types and attempt to get them too our meetings. Our goals for the Christmas Party in December would be more than 50. For our spring meeting, we sent our more than 100 e-mails and made more than 50 calls. We understand that starting with early April meetings, many of our members head out in their RV’s and do not return to Florida until late October.
AGC Bob Johnson passed out information that BUPERS publications SHIFT COLORS isn’t being mailed out to all Navy retired personnel any more. We received a letter from William Cullen James (Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs) and he has provided us with the Web Site for downloading SHIFT COLORS. You can obtain SHIFT COLORS using the address below:
http://www.npc.navy.mil/ReferenceLibrary/Publications/ShiftColors/ It is suggested that each member keep a copy of SHIFT COLORS handy. It has many important telephone numbers that you may need in a case of emergency.
Our bank report indicates a balance of $4,017.90 with 2011 interest of $0.78. Our next meeting will be scheduled around the 15th of July. Fixed date and place will be sent out June 2011.
Submitted by: AGC BOBBY JOHNSON, NWSA SE, 2nd VP
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Source: Aerograph February 2011
Prez LT Todd McDonald USN RET
1st VP AGCS Steve Turco USN RET
2ND VP AGC Bobby Johnson USN RET
Sec/Treas AGCS Frank Andrews USN RET
Southeast Chapter held the fall meeting on October 26th at the Golden Corral. Members attending were AGCS Frank Andrews (Sec/Treas), AGCM Joe and Rhonda McGarr (Past President), AGCS Steve Turco, 1ST VP (Acting President), AGC Bob & Charline Johnson, 2nd VP, AG1 Ed & Ruth Ann Frandle, AGCM Bob Bentley, LCDR Dick & Marsha Pritchard, AGCS Barry & Jocelyn Brockman, and LT Todd and Cheryl McDonald (President Elect).
Special guest was AMES Norbert Greinke, USN Retired. Mr. Greinke was my guest and he was helping me with my wheelchair. Still under the weather since my surgery and heart attack and require assistance. After a great dinner at the Golden Corral, we elected LT Todd McDonald as our new president. AGCM Joe McGarr had to step down as president due conflicts with his job.
Other business taken-up was the selection of date and location of our annual Christmas Party. It will be held at the Fleet Reserve Branch # 91 on the 9th of December. Notice will be sent out to members and former weather service employees. Each year we have had a great time at our Christmas Party. Additional discussion was regarding the return of the Weather Centers at San Diego and Norfolk. What will be next, will we see NWSED’S return?
During recent contacts for the meeting and Christmas Party, I found that we had lost another member our group. On the 22nd of September, AGCS Frank Smith passed away after a battle with cancer. In the past I would have passed along this information but when Frank passed, I was in the hospital following surgery and a heart attack. Our prayers go out to Maria.
There will be a Weather Feast held at University of North Florida February 2011. More detail will be sent out to members in January.
Submitted by AGC Bob Johnson USN RET
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