NWSA Gulf Coast Chapter
Biloxi, MS
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Source: Dick Thayer, Email 4-2-07
-and-
Aerograph, May 2007



From: Dick Thayer
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007
Subject: status info

News from the Gulf Coast Chapter

The Gulf Coast Chapter met on Saturday 24 March at the new Pizzaz Restaurant in Diamond Head. This was the first meeting in nearly a year due to most members having many other concerns and obligations resulting from Katrina. A number of long time Gulf Coast members have moved to other areas of the country and it was uncertain if there were sufficient numbers to warrant the continued existence of the chapter. Our mailing list has been reduced from 85 to about 45.

But based on the turn-out for a great dinner and drinks and the prevailing sentiment of those who attended, the chapter remains active and functioning. Still many Katrina stories to share and lots of discussions on new restaurants popping up on the Coast.

Those in attendance were:

Dick Thayer
Terry Latham
Mike McGlothin
Rich Bouchard
Bob Coniglioni
Frank Schatzle
Angie Walker
Bill Burnett
Pat Salts
Dave Reucher
Doug Maxwell

and a number of spouses

Officers elected:

Dick Thayer - President
Bill Burnett - Vice President and Secretary
Bob Coniglioni - Treasurer

Other members recently sighted or heard from include Phil Newkirk, Amos Fields, Dan Munger, Tim McGee, Jon and Jill Johnson, John Tancredi, Bob Weir, John Wasserman, Russell Balch, Gretchen Breland, Bob Allen, Don Conlee, BobCutting, Greg Eisman, Mike Foster, Pete Furze, Chris Hall, Terry McPherson Bob Kiser, Dave Pashkevich, Craig Petterson, Don Roman, Fred Zeile, Melanie Sigafoose, Bob Garrett, Rich Jeffries, Dan Banks and Kelly Collins.

Although all members in attendance have returned to their homes or have procured new residences, the Coast as a whole continues the long, long process of rebuilding. Many of the best helpers continue to be the tens of thousands of volunteers from the main-stream churches throughout the US and Canada. This continues to be an amazing outpouring of generosity and is greatly appreciated. Especially heartwarming is the number of high school and college youth that elect to spend their spring break here rebuilding houses and removing debris. Much of the new single family housing is developing North of I-10. The beach road (US 90) remains mostly in ruins with the exception of the casinos and a number of large new high rise condos.

Source:  Aerograph, February 2006

I received word two former members are deceased:

Anthony Esau
Charles Dale

The chapter met on the first week of December at one of the few open venues here on the coast - The Diamond Head Community Center. We told "Katrina War stories" and enjoyed hors d'ouvres and a "good stiff drink". Much needed therapy. Members present:

Pat Salts
Terry Latham
Bob Coniglione
Amos Fields
Dave Reuscher
Mike McGlothin
Dick Thayer

"We faithful seven" also discussed the future of the Gulf Coast Chapter and the NWSA as a whole. Locally we have seen a steady decline in interest and participation over the past few years to the point where it is questionable to maintain it as an organization. For the past 18 months, we have mailed out 70 to 80 invitations to individuals (active and retired on our list for each of the six events. Nearly all have gone unanswered. Active duty personnel have little in common with the few individuals that routinely attend. This is partially the result of the switch in emphasis to oceanography that began in the late seventies and has recently been given even more emphasis. Even recently retired personnel do not seem to have an interest. The membership in attendance agreed to discuss this with the national officers and to conduct a mailing in the spring to all available members in the area soliciting their views.

Dick Thayer
President
Gulf Coast Chapter
Naval Weather Service Association.

[ Hurricane Recovery STATUS of Gulf Coast chapter members < Click Here > ]

Email: Sept 20, 2005  12:39pm

From: Thayer, Richard Eugene CTR CNMOC, N633
To:  NWSA WebMaster
Subj: Gulf Coast Status (Incomplete)

Here is a partial status of the Gulf Coast Chapter; 
Sorry this has taken so long, but the net has not been available. 
Please post this message and my e-mail addresses for those that desire to contact me concerning specific members. 

rethayer@cableon.net 
richard.e.thayer@navy.mil 

As most of you probably have seen The Gulf Coast is not the same; probably won't be for at least a decade. Although Katrina was down to a CAT 4 when it came ashore, it had generated a CAT 5 surge from the winds it had on SAT and SUN. The surge was 20 to 30 feet with 8ft + waves on top of that. In Biloxi and Gulfport the surge generally went inland to the Railroad; but in Waveland it went inland all the way to Diamondhead. Many folks in Diamondhead had surge water that never even considered flood insurance. 

Most every member of the Gulf Coast Chapter suffered some damage, with the average being roof, and rain water intrusion, trees on houses and collapsed ceilings. Several members including Capt Frank Schatzel and Capt Ed Smith lost everything. Others had their homes gutted by the surge. To my knowledge we had no casualties from our membership, but I still have not been able to contact everyone especially those that lost their houses. 

The emergency needs (food, clothes, water and Ice) are being met now. Electricity and phones are restored in most areas except fro the areas wiped out and the more rural sections. Lots of help from many agencies for the necessities. Keesler AFB is essentially closed down except to a skeleton crew and some repair crews and will be for many months. Keesler PX/ Commissary was under 8 ft of water, the hospital had 2 ft. The CB base is in better shape and has opened up a temporary mini commissary that is really helping the military (active and retired ) with need for fresh meats and veggies. 

The big need now is for housing; many folks in the area are living in tents, campers and shelters. For those that did not lose everything, the big need is for roofers and skilled building contactors since almost every house still standing needs a new roof. 

Dick Thayer 
President Gulf Coast Chapter 
NWSA 

CNMOC N633 
Scientific Applications 

Happy 2005 to all from the Gulf Coast Chapter. The fall dinner gathering was held Saturday November 13, 2004 at the Diamondhead Country Club. After conversation and libation during the cocktail hour (1800-1900), Prez Dick Thayer led a Veteran’s Day prayer prior to a fine meal with 23 folks in attendance.

Interesting conversation about community reorganizationwas brought forth by the Prez and Bob Cutting. If one thing is certain, change within DOD is happening in all the departments….. flexibility is definitely the keyword. Still looking at ways to involve the instructors and students at KAFB with NWSA and our local chapter. Pat Salts and Terry Latham are addressing the idea of a trip to see new events at the schoolhouse. Discussion about a Christmas cocktail party at Chappy’s on Thursday evening December 9, 2004 was brought forward and all thought it was a good idea and placed on the schedule. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded… all hands moved to the lounge.

The Gulf Coast Chapter Christmas party was held at Chappy’s Seafood Restaurant in Long Beach, MS starting at 1800 Thursday December 9, 2004. What was planned as cocktails and heavy pupu’s….. Chappy provided his famous Chapp-a-tiser’s (including fried shrimp, lump crab, shrimp roumelaude salad, stuffed mushrooms, spinach & artichoke dip, Asian crab claws, and fried green tomatoes), which actually were more than enough for dinner for all 24 folks in attendance. A fine occasion was had by all and our holiday celebration was neatly fit in during the week when most gatherings are tightly jammed into to few weekends.

Last but certainly not least; the Navy Hurricane Hunter’sheld their annual reunion in Biloxi, MS, 21-23 October 2004 at the Holiday Inn Express. Headed up by Frank Schatzle and fine supporting cast… (Speaking of Frank…we’re happy to note that Anne Schatzle is home and was in attendance at both the fall dinner and the Christmas cocktail party).