Aerograph May, 2006

The Hampton Roads Chapter
President Chuck Steinbruck
Vice President Fay Crossley
Treasurer Mike Joern
Secretary Bob Daigle
Social Coordinator Jack Salvato
VA Representative Joan Akers

Since our last Aerograph input, HRC has met twice. 21 January, our meeting was held at the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NMOC). Those attending, John and Ive Chubb, Chuck Steinbruck, Marty Nemcosky, Bob and Carol Daigle, Fay and Donna Crossley, Dan and Carmen Lee, Jake Bengel, Frank Muscari, Ted Lemond, Dennis and Susan Pauly, Bob and Cindy Wright, Bob and Jessie Steiner, Mel Harder, Frank and Bonnie Terrizzi. At this meeting, elections of HRC Officers was held, all maintain their positions for another year. A magnificent tour of the center was given by CDR Marble, the Naval Aviation Forecast Center (NAFC) Commanding Officer. After spending a couple of hours touring the center, a short meeting was held. After the meeting we headed to Steckroth's Corner Grill in Norfolk where we enjoyed good food and reminiscing about our tour of NMOC and the many changes that have occurred over the years. From the new established NAFC, which eventually will do all TAF's, Warnings and DD175-1's for all the Dets in the US. Most members were amazed at the changes that have occurred over the years, from how computerized all products have become to how young the forecasters are in today's Navy. CDR Marble gave an excellent insight on where the AG community is at and where it's going. HRC thanks CDR Marble for giving of his time and allowing us to visit his command.  He has invited us to come back. We may just take him up on that, for those who were unable to attend the first time.  The next meeting was held on 17 March at one of our favorite spots, China Garden in Virginia Beach. Food is excellent and its a great place to hold our meeting. In attendance, Chuck Steinbruck, Marty Nemcosky, Bob and Carol Daigle, Fay and Donna Crossley, Mike and Margaret Joern, Jack and Ann Salvato with guest Greg Salvato (Son), Dan and Carmen Lee, Ive Chubb, Bob and Cindy Wright, Jake Bengel, Ralph and Larue Wright, Mildred Garcia. This was Bob and Cindy Wright last meeting with HRC. They are now enjoying the Florida sunshine, in the fall they'll be moving to the mountains of Pennsylvania. HRC will miss them both and we wish them lots of luck.

Some News from our Chapter:

(From Joan Akers): Hi, folks, here I am again trying to find something to say. Cross your fingers and hope I do well. To begin with, we have the most persistent robin we have ever seen. It must be a girl. For some reason she decided to come through the bay window and into the kitchen to make her nest. Obviously she couldn't do that but for over two weeks we would wake to the banging sound of her hitting the window and bouncing back.  Finally she found what must have seemed to her an acceptable substitute. She managed to pry the cover off our porch light and began stuffing grass around the light bulb and as far down as she could manage. She must have a very long neck because the grass goes clear to the bottom and the whole thing is stuffed. Floyd wanted to tear it out, but I said if she worked that hard we could just scotch tape the switch to off and let her live there a while. He agreed. So now we watch each day to see this persistent little momma building her home and settling in. More on this later.

Our dog, Snowman, one year and 5 months old is a joy to have with us. When we let him out in the morning he makes a flat out, full speed run around the huge old pecan tree, behind the fig tree and the back of the shed. On the way he tries hard to catch any bird or squirrel in the vicinity. Once he gets around the shed he comes to a screeching halt and lifts his leg on the climbing red rose in the big pot. I tell you, if he is adding fertilizer to that pot along with the liquid the rose will grow to heaven in six weeks. He is a smart little guy, we have seen him get behind a bush and wait till some poor unsuspecting squirrel comes out to play and he flat out explodes into action. So far he has not caught anything, (thank heaven), but it is not for lack of trying.

We have a trip planned for the 27th of April. We will be going to Ohio to see our older son who is turning 55. I can't believe he got that old without us knowing it. Maybe we lost count somewhere, though our daughter, Sharon will be 53 in November and our younger son, Alexander, will be 50. Doggone it. I guess they are right because we have 7 grand children and 2 great-grandchildren, one 9 and one 15. 

I see the doctor for my final checkup since the surgery for breast cancer and the radiation treatments. The people at Portsmouth Naval Hospital are absolutely terrific. They made me feel wonderful, and I have come out smiling and healthy again. Floyd is having a bit of a problem, but the doctor will be running tests on him next week so we should be able to clear his problems up.  Anyway, both doctor's have said the trip is fine. The neurologist asked if we were going to fly or drive. (I think he was worried about Floyd walking long distances in the airports.) I laughed and said I always drive, it is only about 10 hours and I love the trip. The roads for the most part are 3 or 4 lane, mostly empty after you leave Richmond. Crowd up a bit past Charleston and then run wide and clear till we get to Springboro, a tiny town between Cincinnati and Dayton. Of course, one must be careful on Rt. 81 because of the huge trucks, though I have had them offer to let me drive in the rocking chair, (the space between two large trucks) so the police can't see me when we  all speed. It was fun, but that was years ago. And heading to Charleston is a doozy. It must have been a drunk or a teen-age cow not wanting to get home in a hurry that did that road. No snake with poison ivy could get that crooked. It is an interesting challenge.

We will take Snowman with us. He loves to ride and talks sometimes with people outside the car or in other cars. He wants to play and they wont come in. He is rather great since he has not met a person he didn't like, even our mailman. Snowman sniffed him, wagged
his tail and licked his hands. Ken was really surprised.  We do feel very safe with him because he seems to understand friend and "unknown" though. I took him to be bathed one time and he was fine till a sweet young female collie tried to come near us. I thought he would take her head off. When she back off about 8 feet he sat down and never said another word. He has learned that when we turn the TV off that it is bed time. We had taught him to go in his cage when we said bed but he has long ago outgrown the cage. Now when the TV goes off he lies on his bed for about three minutes and then runs upstairs into the kitchen for his nightly treat. He sleeps with his back against the front door, always on guard. God did a wonderful thing when he made good dogs. Okay, folks, I have so much to do. Will write again next time. Love to you all and God Bless you always.
(Joan, Floyd and Snowman) The Weather Mouse.

(From Fay Crossley and Dan Lee): Our Naval Weather Service Association needs, in our opinion, to refocus its energies and part of its funding in a new direction. As we age, it is imperative we attract new and younger members to our fellowship and to our causes. The young men and women of the Navy Weather Active Service and Reserves surely question our ideals and our purpose. Why should they be concerned about a group of old folks that do a lot of reminiscing and not much else. What is in it for the NEW sailor.

The recent proposed Tricare cost to the member increases were scary. Our representatives did the right thing by holding off the approval of this new law. You can rest assured, this proposal will again raise it’s ugly head.  To lend credibility to any political effort the bottom line is NUMBERS. Though we are small in number we COULD grow as the younger sailors see that we do good works in their behalf (as well as our own). We can not sit by and rely on the FRA, Vietnam Vets and the like to carry the load. We need to become Politically Active and voice our opinions as a group concerning issues that effect us directly.

The Hampton Roads Chapter of the NWSA has already agreed in spirit to the concept of becoming Politically Active. We envision a single member committee that would keep the membership informed of issues we should be concerned about. That committee would then alert the members of the issue, the “sides” of the issue and give the members email addresses or mailing addresses to use to voice their concerns. The committee would also advise the full membership at meetings concerning the issue and the full membership would take action as a group to add “numbers” to an email or letter. 

Therefore, we would like to see a new direction for our group. It is proposed The Naval Weather Service Association, at its 2006 reunion, take up this issue. That the NWSA establish a new Committee to raise the awareness and the activity of our group. This committee, to be devoted to Politically Actives only. The National NWSA should also keep the Active Duty community informed of our good works. Information would be sent to members via Email, the Web page and contained in the Aerograph.
Daniel Lee AGCS Ret
Fay Crossley AGC Ret

HRC member John Chubb and four other teachers led a group of 74 high school students on a twelve day exploration of Italy, Switzerland and France in late March. From the sunny and relatively balmy weather in Rome they headed north through Florence and Assisi to Venice. It was much cooler and wetter there. After the requisite gondola rides and visits to glass factories, palaces and basilicas, it was off to the snows of the alps and Switzerland. An RON in Luscerne amidst all the fabulous chocolate and fine fashions and brisk walks by the lake preceded a dash to Geneva to catch the high speed train to Paris; the countryside is a blur at 120 MPH. Thence to Normandy and visits to famous churches and Omaha Beach with the American Cemetery It was perfectly manicured and awe inspiring. Just like DDay it was windy with off and on showers. Back to Paris and the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Again, spring was late coming with cold, windy weather. All in all, these young Americans saw how some Europeans live, the beautiful countryside and historical landmarks, the sacrifices of our WWII veterans and just how GREAT it was to come home to the USA.

"Marty Nemcosky has been on the binnacle list with arterial fibrillation. When he convinced the DR that the cure was worse than the problem, he was taken off the meds and is feeling better. He's even back up to walking 18 holes of golf with Jack Salvato and Ted Lemond." As an usher for the 0900 mass at NAB Little Creek Chapel, he gets to keep an eye on Larue Wright and Bev Scott. If mass runs long he may see Bertha Hubbard or Ted Lemond arriving for their service at 1030.

Fay Crossley has tickets to the Shad Planking up in his neck of the woods at Wakefield in May. Just the place to be if you're comfortable in the midst of politicians. Also Fay is working on a possible meeting in September with an Elder Care Lawyer. The meeting would be in Williamsburg, for those people not ready for old age or retirement. The meeting will be with the Compassion and Choices group of Williamsburg. Members are asked to think ahead to making this trip. After the Morning Meeting a group trip to the New Jamestown is also in the planning, with a late lunch or early dinner to follow. Sounds like a busy day. Hope it works out and HRC will be able to attend.

Bob Steiner is getting some folks pumped up about the penning of horses up in Chincoteaque Island in July.  Jessie is recovering very well from some minor elective surgery she had done last month. No not the removal of an ugly wart, Bob!!! They will be going to New Jersey for their nieces wedding on the 22nd of April then to California for one granddaughter’s high school graduation on the 2nd of June. Bob has a radar software class to attend just outside of Boston, the week of 12 June. 

Bob Daigle hit the big one this past month, no not the lottery, the Big 60. This dreaded event occurred on 4 April. No big fan fare, celebrated very quietly with family.  He will be celebrating another big event in May when Carol and Bob head up to Ocean City, Maryland to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.

Bob Daigle, Secretary

Aerograph February, 2006

HAMPTON ROADS CHAPTER
President Chuck Steinbruck
Vice President Fay Crossley
Treasurer Mike Joern
Secretary Bob Daigle
Social Coordinator Jack Salvato
VA Representative Joan Akers

From the Desk of the Weather Mouse:
Ladies and gentlemen I wish you all a safe and wonderful new year, but this time I am not writing a story or a joke. I am writing because I have discovered over the past year unbelievably sad stories and I believe these must be told quickly: Imagine this happening to you: "He died suddenly and we didn't expect it. I called the rescue squad, the police came and they took him away after the coroner checked him out. I didn´t have phone numbers for allot of things and didn't know who to call and what to give them. I never realized that I had to have so many certified death certificates. Everything needs one and they don't take my word for it. I didn't realize I had to notify the DMV and so many other people and I didn't have names, addresses or phone and fax numbers. I was so lost. I could not think. He never said what funeral home, where he wanted to be buried, or who should do the service. I don't know if I should have him cremated or buried. What kind of casket did he want? Does he get pall bearers and who should they be? I don't know where he put the policies or how much they are for. He paid the bills so I don't know about much of this. I am lost. "I have discovered that some of our men have not thought far enough ahead to make their women financially secure should they die first. A friend of mine, married to an officer discovered that when he died she had no retirement due her from the Navy. He had said he couldn't afford the cost of SBP, the Survivor Benefit Plan. And since he hadn't worked after he left the Navy, she had no Social Security income from him. She had worked as a teacher and what she got was the Social Security from that. And as we all know, teachers are not well paid. Had she not had a small inheritance she would be living in poverty. Thank God she also has two sons who will help her. Gentlemen, you need to sit down with your wives and together find out exactly what income your wife will have should you die first. Remember, if you outlive her, you have
your full Navy retirement, she won't. Maybe she will get 55% if you have the Survivor's Benefit Plan, otherwise there will be nothing. If you worked after you retired from the Navy, you will have Social Security payments. However, when you die, your wife will get only a smaller portion of that and unless she worked outside the house, not much more. If you have invested successfully, and have a good savings account, whatever retirement benefits your wife receives will be supplemented with that money. This is excellent. Another question to consider is whether your assets are listed as jointly owned with the right of survivorship if you go first. Having your assets jointly owned will ensure that your wife faces minimal problems getting access to them should you die first.

With regards to Social Security, do you know that in the month you die, your wife would have to return the whole month's social security check even if it's on the next to the last day of the month or the 23rd or any other such day, and then the government, slow as a glacier, will, in its own time, return a portion of that to her. The following are some things you need to have already done or get up and do immediately and put in one place in a special file.  Make sure you both have an up-to-date will.  Have a Power of Attorney, and a Living Will, and a good executor for both of you. See to it that all the relevant papers are in one place. (Is everything joint with right of survivorship?)  You need - 1. Insurance policies, (are the beneficiaries up to date?) 2. Information for your bank/credit union, 3. Safe deposit box with location, who can get in and where the key is, or the safe combination if you have one, (Let at least 3 people know the combination, 4. House deeds, 5. Car titles, 6. Boat titles, 7. Any land titles or other items owned, 8. All paper work for any investments, 9. Information on any loans, 10. Make sure that your wants, should you die first, are in there and contain all information necessary to do as you wish. **Keep them in one place, in a folder and lock it in the safe or a very safe place. If, as we do, you have a large fireproof safe make sure at least three people know where the combination is.  (Don´t make them blow the safe after you go. You won't see
the fireworks anyway.)  Make sure your wife gets enough to live on comfortably for the
rest of her life. And for heaven´s sake, check the bills you have now, and see what they come to. The women have been told, "Oh, you will have plenty," and the husband does not think of the real estate tax, the car insurance, the house insurance and other items. And he forgets credit card bills and other things that creep up. Most men think only of the grocery bill and gas for the car which, if she is a widow could take about all she gets from the Navy SPB and the Social Security money.  See to it that everything you own, stocks, bonds, any other money accounts, is joint ownership with right of survivorship so she does not have to wait months to get money to live on.  Especially the checking and savings accounts. Make sure you have enough in the checking/savings accounts so she can live and pay bills till the legal process clears and the money starts coming in again. The length of time this takes could vary.  Speak to your Navy representative and Social Security office and your insurance companies about time for the money to come in.
Have a special folder with death information. You know, the "If I should die" so when it happens there is a phone number for the rescue squad, the police, the name, address and phone number of the funeral home you want to go to. You should each make arrangements ahead of time. Some folks even prepay funeral expenses while they are still living. You will need the name of the church or other location where you want a
service held if you want one, and who will preside. You will need the name, address and phone number of the cemetery along with the plot number and all pertinent papers.  Prepare the list of places that must be called, including the Navy at the Customer Service Finance office in Denver , the local Social Security office, the insurance companies, the banks and credit unions with the accompanying account numbers and the credit cards you have, (you should have Xeroxed all your credit cards a long time ago, both sides, and put that copy in your safe). Be sure to have all policy numbers ready for those and mutual funds, stocks and bonds, car and boat titles, loans, everything, and all these will need certified proof that the person is deceased. You will also have to notify the department of Motor Vehicles and send them death certificates along with all pertinent information on the vehicles.  Make a list of all the items listed above,, neatly typed with names of companies, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, account numbers, who is listed on each policy/account and if you prefer, the amounts of the policies, etc.. You might keep a paper copy and one on a CD for easy access. This information can serve as a check list of the people who must be notified. You can save your wife a lot of problems by making sure you know how much she will have to live on and what the immediate expenses will be. If you have Quicken on your computer, you can do this with a little time and effort. Know how much your insurance policies are worth. Know how much the funeral will cost, how much the Navy will give her and how much Social Security will take away from what you get and what is left for her. Know how much interest will come from investments and then add up all your bills for a year and see if she will be able to eat when they are paid. Remember that costs go up all the time and extras like car repairs, house repairs and general care of life and persons will increase with time. Make allowances. Make sure you take care of these things now. If you have young children or children in college include them in your plans so they know what is going on. And yes, your wife should make her desires known if she goes first.  You will prevent so much heartache and perhaps financial disaster if you do things well.  You should know that the Navy in the last edition of the Aerograph had excellent information on this. Please plan ahead and keep your spouse safe. You and your spouse should always carry a list of medications you and your spouse are on. Your living will and your doctor's name and number will help also. It saves the rescue folks a lot of time and worry.
Your weary Weather Mouse - Joan Akers

Our last meeting for 2005 was held at the Poncho Villa's of New York located in Virginia Beach. Those attending, Chuck Steinbruck, Marty Nemcosky, Bob and Carol
Daigle, Fay and Donna Crossley, Mike Joern, Jack and Ann Salvato, Bob and Cindy Wright, Ted Lemond, Dan and Carmen Lee and Jake Bengel.  A Note from Our Western Branch Rep and HRC Vice President (Fay Crossley): The National Weather Service at Wakefield is losing its only Navy Active reservist, Patrick Maloit (LCDR USNR). Patrick was transferred to the New York Office at Upton and promoted to Senior Forecaster. Interesting that Mr. Maloit is NOT an 1800 in the reserves but a straight line officer. We wish him Good Luck. For those that might remember Vernon Gray (retired AGCS), he has moved from his well anchored home in St. Mary's CO MD to Okeechobee Florida. He and Darcy are doing fine and loving the move. There two boys are close by, David lives in Orlando and Vernon lives in Savannah. Sometime ago, I placed an article in the Aerograph about my Pen Pal, Carl Peterson an x-AG and retired National Weather Service employee. Carl has been a steady and reliable Pen Pal for many years until the past year or so. Carl is not well, and now makes his abode at Loyalton of Flagstaff. Son Byron sees Carl nearly daily.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to this fine Weather Guesser. The HRC of the NWSA continues to push forward on a Career Day event for High School students in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Fifty Six (56) letters were sent to area schools shortly after Christmas.  The hope was to see what kind of response we would get. So far, 11 of the 56 have sent back positive replies to our questions. They have indicated that well over 50 students would be interested in our planned event. Our
efforts is to have this event in the spring of 2006. We will miss having the company of our shipmate Bob and Cindy Wright at the HRC meetings as he retires from his DOD forecasting job and moves on to PA. Hope that he looks into getting back for a visit now and then. Our Vice President has sent his name to the Potomac Chapter in case Bob gets lonely for an ISOBAR conversation. Bob joined the Navy in Feb 1963 and retired in Nov 1985. His travels took him from Boot Camp to "A" School in Lakehurst, N.J., USS Ticonderoga, NWSED Midway Island, FWF San Diego, CA. At this point Bob decided to leave the Navy (Nov 1966) and pursue a civilian career. He missed the Navy so he returned in May 1970 and was shipped to Antarctic Support Forces, followed by FWF Pensacola, FL., "C" School at Chanute AFB, ILL., Mobile Environmental Team, Norfolk, VA., Roosevelt Roads, PR., and back to Norfolk, VA where he transferred to the Fleet Reserve in Nov 1985. In Jan 1986, Bob worked for the Hurricane Research Division in Miami, FL. until he obtained a position at NOCD/NLMOD Oceana, VA. in Dec 1990. Bob spent many years there till transferring to Naval Aviation Forecaster Center (NAFC) Norfolk, VA. in Feb 2005 till his retirement from federal service in Jan 2006. Bob and Cindy plan on spending a few weeks in Florida with friends and relatives prior to their permanent move to Mount Pocono, Pa. His goal is to work a few days a week, that will keep him out of Cindy's hair, at one of the resorts or as what most of us say "become a Wal Mart greeter". Bob and Cindy enjoy what the Pocono’s has to offer and wishing you both smooth sailing. Good Luck. H.R.C. Another shipmate retiring from his DOD job is Bill Sheppard (AGC Ret). Bill has had a long career spending a few years in the Navy, 30 Jun 1960 to 30 Sept 1988. His travels took him from Boot Camp, "A” School at Lakehurst, N.J., NAS Sanford, FL, NAS Quonset Point, RI, Yokosuka, Japan, Viet Nam, St Clemente Island, CA, Viet Nam, Ellison Field, FL, Viet Nam, "B" School at Lakehurst, N.J., Viet Nam, NAS Jacksonville, FL, COMSOLANTSTAFF P.R., USS Kennedy, NAS Mayport, FL, Keflavik, Iceland, NAS Oceana, VA. Upon his retirement from the Navy he
proceeded to NLMOC Norfolk (01 Mar 89 to 30 Dec 05). While at NLMOC he held various positions WEAX, OTSR, FDO, and Hurricane Duty Officer. Last position held was LRF (Long Range Forecast). For many years Bill was active in sports within the local community. His involvement included - officiating High School and College Baseball, Football, Basketball and Woman Fast Pitch Softball. Bill and Ann plan on retiring to Ocala, FL where most of their family live. They have 4 children and 10 grandchildren. Wishing both of you smooth sailing. H.R.C. Bob and Jessie Steiner stayed at home this year after traveling over the holidays the past two years. Their daughters, from Richmond, and their families visited for the day on Christmas. As always having family visiting for the holidays always makes it special. Their New Years Eve was spent quietly at home on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Travel plans for 2006 include a trip for Bob to the American Meteorological Society's Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA to be held from 29 Jan to 3 Feb. Jessie has no set travel plans, her travels are a little more spontaneous than Bob's, usually a spur of the moment decision. Dan and Carmen Lee have been off again skiing to Snowshoe Mountain, WV. This included 4 adults, 3 grandchildren and a friend. A grand time was had skiing to beautiful snow and weather. After the weekend pass, all departed except for Dan and Carmen who stayed for a few more days for some quiet time. That did not last long when some friends from N.J. pop in with their son and daughter-in law and the quietness was filled with laughter and fun. Their next trip, scheduled for the 2nd of Feb is to head north to New England. Plan is to spend one night in Pa., Topahanna Depot, visiting Dan's family and then up to N.H. to visit with Carmen's sister and see their 2 great nieces. Next stop is Maine to visit Carmen's brother Neal and his family. While in Maine they'll be skiing the sloops of Black Mountain. For the Christmas holiday's, they were kept very busy with family visiting which brought nothing but joy for them.  Dan and Carmen continue to keep busy through out the year with Dan still working in his lawn business and Carmen with Shaklee. A trip to San Francisco is in the making as Shaklee Corp. is celebrating it's 50th Anniversary with a big, big splash!. With all that going, they manage to spend time with their 6 grandchildren.

Charles V. Lindsay lost his battle from Parkinson’s disease on 10 January 2006. Our sympathy and prayers goes to his family. Bob Daigle

Aerograph August  05, 2005

President Chuck Steinbruck
Vice President Fay Crossley
Treasurer Mike Joern
Secretary Bob Daigle
Social Coordinator Jack Salvato
VA Representative Joan Akers

Our last meeting was held at VIVO - Italian Restaurant, located in Virginia Beach. Their
motto "Italian Never Tasted So Fun" was surely true.  Great Italian cuisine. For some of us this restaurant is close to home, but not for Chuck Steinbruck, who wanted "driver miles" for the miles he had to travel to get there. Sorry Chuck, it’s the price you have to pay for being President and all the prestige that goes along with it. Those attending were Chuck Steinbruck, Marty Nemcosky, Bob and Carol Daigle, Mike and Maggie Joern, Floyd and Joan Akers, Jack and Ann Salvato, Bob and Cindy Wright, Frank Terrizzi, Jim daSilva, Jake Bengel, George and Diana DeLano, Bob and Jessie Steiner, Ed and Ruth Nelson, Dennis and Susan Pauly, and Arnold and Janet Kestenbaum.

Following dinner a meeting was held which began with the Pledge of Allegiance and Chuck Steinbruck led us in prayer with a second prayer dedicated to all our troops.
Some News from our Chapter: Marty Nemcosky drove to Branson solo because of a side visit with his brother, the brother, in Clarksville, IN. He reports that he truly misses his navigator, Barb. But he had a rewarding time with his brother as he rehabilitates from a hospital stay. 

The reunion in Branson was great. The Potomac chapter came through again. He said he
really can use the decent golf balls awarded the winning team. In June he attended his fifty-fifth class reunion and was happy to see 75 percent of the 300 and some odd (some really) folks were accounted for. In July, after the annual super picnic at the Chubbs, he travels to MI for his annual pioneer duties of making little logs out of big ones. The rest of the summer will be used for swimming, gardening, reading & golf.

Input From the Weather Mouse. (Joan Akers) Hi, folks. The last few months have been busy as usual, but this month of July is crammed with things. We had a fourth of July dinner with friends here at our house, on the 16th comes the highlight of our year with NWSA, the picnic at the home of John and Evie Chubb on the Eastern Shore. It is a time for the best food ever and visiting with friends that we truly love. We will have the freshest crabs cooked to perfection added to hamburgers, and chicken. Then you add the rest of the food from the best cooks in the world and you have a perfect day with our friends. It
is with sadness that we note that we have lost some of our members, and it is a warning to us that we must do our very best every day to help each other. May we find a way this year to bring in new members and keep our organization alive and growing. When the 16th is over we must hurry, for we have a wedding coming up on the 30th of July. Our daughter, Sharon, will be getting married. And to see this terrific event, her brother from Ohio will drive down from near Dayton to see her. And flying in is her younger brother, Alexander bringing his wife Bobbi and his younger daughter, Alexa to join the fun. Sharon has decided to have a backyard picnic at a friend's house where there is a large pool and lots of room. Her caterer is a friend who does wonderful things and decorates with creative imagination. It will be a wonderful time. So, on the 28th Fred will drive in, on the 29th we will drive over to Patrick Henry International Airport and get Alex, Bobbi and Alexa. On the 30th we watch Sharon get married and on the 31st, Floyd and I will finally get to celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. Seems when June 3 came everyone was out of town and could not get here so we are having the "kick back and brag a bit" day with everyone home. Good food, good fun and a running start on year 56. Congratulations on the 55th (Sec) Now to the important things. We are going ahead with our Career Day and have some things worked out already. Here is a synopsis of what Fay Crossley has
written for a letter to the proper schools, etc.

Dear Sir or Madame: Our association, a group of mostly retired Navy Weather professionals, feel there is a need to further the understanding of Meteorology, Oceanography, Climatology and related Computer skills to our next generation of scientists. The staff at Old Dominion University is willing to provide a huge room, all the technical equipment and assistance from their personnel that we would need. They even have a great cafeteria.  Speakers for this day would come from the National Weather Service, such as branches of the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, Private companies, Media outlets and similar organizations.  Each presenter would give a 10 to 20 minute outline of their company or group. When all was completed, students would be allowed to visit the presenters of their choice at the proper booth and receive any further information they want. There would be two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. School buses would have a special parking place at ODU. This is great. We sent it next to John Chubb who is a teacher on Eastern Shore and is well acquainted with young folks. And this is what he added to our plan.
1. The audience should be all high school undergraduates so they have the time to take the proper courses. Juniors would be great, but sophomores and freshmen still have
time to select high school courses that would support a science major.
2. Is ODU willing to do this? (And the answer is that they are thrilled and since no college or university in Virginia teaches meteorology, they may start a class. They do have
one of Oceanography.
3. Broaden your topics of interest, (your list is quite good,) and invite more of NOAA, (fisheries, oceanographer's, survey/charting) NASA (remote sensing), VA Aquarium, maybe Nauticus, VA DEQ/US EPA, ETC. Make it an "Environmental Science" day.
4. Call it "Educational Options". Young students should be building a wide opportunity base. So, folks, now that you see our plan, perhaps you would be willing to start something similar in your area. Should you want to talk with any of us, please call. We will send any information that would help you.

It is my great fear, the reason I gave birth to this idea to begin with, that today´s students see weather as hit or miss, a not important guessing game. I believe if they could see what it truly is, they would find it more and greater than they ever believed. I have said it before, but it is worth repeating. Those in these sciences will explore the huge world of weather that is expanding exponentially. Most of us don´t realize that weather is a huge covering surrounding the earth, that anything that happens anywhere effects everywhere, that what happens in the Antarctic will effect the rest of the world. Melting water from the Antarctic will change the flow of water to the north, kill the krill that feed most of the southern ocean and perhaps lead to a small ice age in the north.  The sea hides black smokers, volcanic tubes that spew sulphur and host a tremendous world of sea life surviving on poisonous, to us, fumes. We know that the future will be given to computers and they will do as they are now doing, predicting the weather. Question - who are going to be good enough aerographers on their own to be able to give the proper information to the programmers so the computer results are correct? And will the computer programmers have a way to install the instinctive, intuitive touch that makes the results accurate. The world weather here is complicated enough to give us headaches. What will we do when we land on other planets, (and we will,) and we need someone to plot the maps and issue warnings for this new land. Where are we going to get the people to learn the ways of the seas, the lives of the fishes and mammals, the exotic, "extinct" denizens of the sea like the coelacanth. Science is the most fascinating subject in this whole world, and it is included in everything, archeology, astronomy, agriculture, space travel, the sea and the air and the land. We must have bright young people to lead the way into the future.

As always Joan, many thanks for your input, (Sec) Bob and Cindy Wright's have been very busy the past few weeks. Bob had some minor surgery in May. He's doing fine and back to his old self again. He got to use 122 hours of sick leave, that's about 22 straight days off without work. It was nice practice for his upcoming retirement on January 06 (only 204 days left till retirement, and that will be less by the time this goes to print and I'm sure he's counting). Poor Cindy had to put up with him being home all that time. Sympathies go out to her, we know what she went thru and we are sorry.  Their daughter Lacey, has a new job. She's a travel agent for National Leisure Group and can book you a pretty good cruise for a pretty decent price. If anyone is planning a cruise in the near future, give her (Lacey) a call.  She would appreciate the business and they will have
peace of mind that she is meeting her goals. Her number is (See Aerograph). Just ask for CiCI.

Bob has been very busy getting the house ready to go on sale in October, He hopes to take advantage of the housing boom affecting the Hampton Roads area. So far, he has put down ceramic tile in the kitchen, and 2 out of the 3 bathrooms. Having never done it before, all indications are that he's done a pretty good job, so he says. He also has put down hardwood floors in the living room & dining room. That looks great also, but he does say he'll never do it again. All he has left is one more bathroom and some cosmetic work, i.e. painting, etc and it's all ready. Bob is moving so if anyone is interested in a beautiful home, call him. His home is in a friendly and quiet neighborhood and situated near all the military facilities, schools and shopping areas.

Bob and Carol Daigle;s son Jeff with his family came for a visit, from Palm Harbor, Florida in late June. It was a great visit, Jeff' works with computers and with the problems Bob had with his, he got him up and running with a new computer. Bob could not of done it by himself.  What are sons for..... Bob and Carol plan on visiting them in Florida in October for a few days. Checking out the possibility of becoming snow birds in the future (after retirement). Still a few years away. Like the Wright's the Daigle's are doing new floors also. They were going to ask Bob (W) for help since he had a lot of experience, but he had indicated he would never do it again. Bob (D) took the bull by the horns and did it in 2 1/2 days. Carpet in the family room, wood floor in the kitchen/foyer etc. Now there was a trick to this, he hired someone.

Bob and Jessie Steiner reports that things are quiet in the Northern Virginia/Eastern Shore area. A few weeks ago Jessie visited her sister Sue in New Jersey. Her sister Novie, from Arkansas also visited. The two girls from up north will arrive at their abode in Lee Mont in early July, rest for a day before the three of them climb into the car and head for Las Vegas to play in a slot poker tournament later this month. Bob doubts he'll see them before mid August. That's rest and relaxation for Bob.

George and Diana DeLano went to Plymouth, MA for DELANO Annual Reunion 16 to 18 June, then after returning for a few days went to Emerald Isle, NC to spend time at the beach with grand kids. One of the big events was going by boat to a deserted island to meet a pirate who helped the children in the group find buried pirate treasure.  

Ted Lemond reports that Ethel is fighting lung cancer, Ted continues to be an excellent care giver. He has Hospice helping out and has indicated that they are terrific people and being a big help. Our prayers goes out to Ethel and Ted. God Bless. 

Bev Scott made a trip to Switzerland and Turkey. Remy Paul is attending another wedding in the Philippines on the July 16. 

Millie Garcia's back problems are keeping her close to home base. 

In a rough tag team round of golf, Jack Salvato fractured 3 ribs and was on the disabled list for about 10 weeks. Take care Jack.

Bob Daigle
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Aerograph May 05

President-Chuck Steinbruck
Vice President - Fay Crossley
Treasurer - Mike Joern
Secretary - Bob Daigle
Social Coord - Jack Salvato
VA Rep - Joan Akers

On 16 January 2005 our meeting was held at the Long Branch Steakhouse & Saloon, located in Virginia Beach.  Those attending were Marty Nemcosky, Chuck Steinbruck, Bob Daigle, Fay and Donna Crossley, Mike and Maggie Joern, Jack and Ann Salvato, (Guest Gregory Salvato), Don and Marge Cruise, Bob and Jessie Steiner, Mildred Garcia, Bev Scott, Richard and Mary Dempsey, Dan and Carmen Lee, Bob Wright, Jake Bengel, and Floyd and Joan Akers. After enjoying our favorite steak, a meeting was held which began with a verse from the Eternal Father, read by Marty Nemcosky, and followed with the Pledge of Allegiance. Our next meeting was held on 20 March 2005 at the China Garden in Virginia Beach. Those attending were Chuck Steinbruck, Marty Nemcosky, Bob and Carol Daigle, Fay and Donna Crossley, Mike Joern, Bob and Cindy Wright, Floyd and Joan Akers, Ted Lemond, Ed and Ruth Nelson, Jake Bengel, Jack Salvato, Ralph and La Rue Wright, Mildred Garcia, Dan and Carmen Lee, Penny Pawl. Following a dinner of Chinese Cuisine (all you can eat) a meeting was held beginning with Chuck
Steinbruck reciting a prayer which was dedicated to our troops in harms way. This was followed with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Our next meeting will be on May 15th at the VIVO Restaurant in the Strawbridge Shopping Center on General Booth Blvd. There will be cocktails at 3 p.m. and dinner after that. The menu is excellent, full of great Italian food and the prices are easy on us retired folks.  There will be individual checks. See you at the VIVO in May.

Some news from our Chapter:
Our new president, Chuck Steinbruck, conducted his first meeting and we all had a wonderful time. He and Marty Nemcosky, our retiring president, spent some time teasing each other making for some very good laughter. One of the things that Chuck wants to do is increase the membership in our Hampton Roads Chapter. It has become a difficult task because things are changing so fast and those like Ralph Wright and Floyd Akers remember a weather service entirely different than the one we have today. And changes are coming so fast that even yesterday’s aerographers will not recognize the organization in 3 months. Perhaps we all need to have classes to keep up with the changes in our weather world.

Ann Salvato went to Las Vegas and came back penniless according to Jack. Now that is a normal way to return, isn’t it? And Jack spoke to a person on the cruise ship and now has a job on the cruise ship helping wheelchair bound folks disembark. He will do this on Sundays and Thursdays through May. The job will resume in October. This is the Holland America Line and C I Travel booking company. Jack also said he is a security driver where he lives and now can play golf less expensively. Sounds great to me.  Bob and Carol Daigle welcome a new addition to their family. Their daughter Jennifer and  son-in-law Ray provided them with a new granddaughter "Hailee", born 11 February 2005. Hailee has a big sister, Kaitlyn, she will be five in May. This is their forth grandchild, three
girls and one boy. Till recently, they have been very lucky where all their kids, all two of them resided in Virginia Beach, both a short distance from their home.  Opportunity knocked on their son, "Jeff", and daughter-in-law "Karen’s" door. An opportunity to move to Florida, which they took. They made a long journey on 30 March and now reside in Palm Harbor. After retirement, with two grandchildren (Skylar and Connor) now in Florida, Bob and Carol will divide their time between Palm Harbor and Virginia Beach. Maybe they
will become "Snow Birds" after retirement, still a few years away. At least, three years away, since Bob just celebrated his 59th birthday on 4 April. 
Congratulations, Bob!

Congratulations go to James (Jim) da Silva, he has again become a grandfather. His son Ron and daughter-in-law Robin provided him with Jameson, born 27 February 05,this is their 6th child and James 11th grandchild. Definitely a proud granddad of 8 grandsons
and 3 granddaughters. Jim’s oldest son, SK1 James (Jr) currently stationed on the USS Carl Vinson, plans on retiring next year and make the brave move to Placentia, Newfoundland. With 2 of his grand-kids moving there, and when he can get away from his duties at NLMOC doing OTSR, you know where Jim will be
spending some of his vacation time. I’m sure it won’t be
a winter vacation.

Bob and Cindy Wright, along with daughter Lacey and her best friend Brittany, took a 7 day trip to Florida to visit Cindy’s folks over Spring Break Week.

Lessons learned – NEVER drive straight thru with 2 18 year old girls. A 10 ½ hour trip turn into almost 12 ½, due to "rest" stops along the way.
NEVER let your 18 year old daughter have your car while visiting Florida over Spring Break Week (over 1400 miles were put on the car (at $2.28 per gallon) while in Florida). Apparently there is an abundance of "Hot Guys" in Florida over Spring Break and I think the girls met them all...........
NEVER stay in McClenny, Florida without a car (daughter had it) as there is NOTHING to do and the closest city, Jacksonville, is 28 miles away.
NEVER lose your wallet at a gas station in South Carolina and discover it missing 3/4 of the way thru North Carolina. Found out that one needs a copy of their DD214 to get a new Military ID and they don’t cancel credit cards immediately after your call. Other
than that their trip was enjoyable, relaxing and quiet. (300 days till full retirement).

John and Evie Chubb stopped by the Akers house this morning. We were so glad to see them and the bags of shampoo, conditioner and lotion that they brought. Each time they go on a trip they bring home all the little bathroom bottles from the motels and hotels they stay in. Their friend, Ms. Sarah Drummond went them one better. She made an announcement where she was and managed to gather a tremendous amount of the tiny bottles. The folks at the Veteran’s Hospital in Hampton will be indebted to Ms. Sarah Drummond of Box 186, Nelsonia, VA for a tremendous amount of scrubbing and shampooing pleasure. Thank you, Sarah Drummond.

The Chubbs stayed for a while and drank coffee with the Akers and had a wonderful time playing with the new Akers puppy. Snowman found them to be wonderful people and
spent a lot of his time lying on John’s lap looking soulfully into
John’s face as he got a good tummy rub. Evie was well loved also as Snowman discovered she gave wonderful ear scratches. Snowman really hated to see them leave. So did we.

Aerograph Feb 05

President: Marty Nemcosky
Vice-President: Bob Wright
Treasurer: Chuck Steinbruck
VA Coordinator: Joan Akers
Social Coordinator:  Jack Salvato
Secretary: Bob Daigle

On 17 October 2004 our meeting was held at the Poncho Villa’s of New York, located in Virginia Beach. Those attending were Marty Nemcosky, Chuck Steinbruck, Bob and Carol Daigle, John and Ive Chubb, Jack and Ann Salvato, Ted and Ethel Lemond, Dick and Mary Dempsey, George and Diana Delano and Joe Streuli. 

Following dinner a short meeting was held which began with the pledge of Allegiance and a verse from the Eternal Father. 

Some news from our Chapter:

We’re anxious to check out the NLMOC change of command on 1-21-05. Captain Daniel J. Soper will retire and be relieved by Commander Douglas C. Marble and Commander Stephen C. Woff. What will they think of next? 

The Chapter sent $225 to the Potomac chapter for theNavy Memorial plaque.

We're looking forward to seeing Don and Marge Cruse at our 1-16-05 meeting at the Longbranch Saloon. Don always has the latest skinny and we're looking for some on reunions. We will miss the Chubbs this time.  They will be visiting with their family out of the area. Bob Wright and Jim DaSilva are keeping their working streak during meeting days alive. Bev Scott has recuperated well enough from hip surgery to make a trip to San Francisco with her daughters. We hope she's back and rested in time for our meeting. Millie Garcia is making steady progress with her back problems. We hope to see her back in action soon. The Lemonds have been saddened by the loss of their pet dog Katie Mae. Katie has been with them for 15 years and served them truly well.

Marty Nemcosky reports that he had a super visit in Round Rock, TX for Thanksgiving with daughter Mary and family. One day they explored the Inner Space Caverns then later checked out a local restaurant with some typical Texas music. Not Mariachi but Texas music. He even got a bumper sticker with “I dig Texas music” on it. One of his favorite liberty spots is the Golfsmith Store in Austin. Next-door is the Harvey Pennick School where he taught many famous Texas Golfers. There had been much flooding in the area before Thanksgiving. Avery Golf Course only had 16.5 holes open with # 8 and half of # 9
submerged. It was an easy way to trim 8 strokes or so off your score.

Dan and Carmen Lee departed for Snowshoe on Dec. 26th with their daughter Lynn, and J.W. and Jaclyn as they received snowboards and skies for Christmas. Dan will be snowshoeing as skiing is out for this year. Dan has been experiencing frequent pain in his leg and back surgery was the answer for him. His recovery is going very well, and he is being a good sport about taking care of himself. His hospital stay was only 2 days. Very good considering the surgery. We’re all sure Dan will be ready to ski next season.
On their way home from Snowshoe they stopped in Williamsburg to celebrate their 42nd Wedding Anniversary (On 29 of December). Wow, Congratulations. Someone did ask Carmen how they stayed together so long and she casually answered that their Anniversary is a renewed Contract every year. Renew to each other and a
strong commitment to make it happen.  They’re planning a trip January 25th to Wyoming to visit their daughter, Pam and her 2 children, which they enjoy immensely. A side trip to Colorado is also planned, the middle of the ski areas for lots of sight seeing and visiting
places like Vail, Brenkenridge, Copper Mountain and the great little town of Fresno, Co. Next year, 2005,2006 ski season they hope to hit the mountains and ski in Snowshoe W.Va, New Hampshire and Maine. Carmen has a skiing family in Maine whom they enjoy visiting with and of course skiing with. As you can see Dan and Carmen are always on the go. Enjoy and Congratulations again on your 42nd Anniversary. Fay and Donna Crossley with Kris and Tom made an October trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Nags Head to be exact. They had a fantastic time fishing and just enjoying the beach. Of course with all the great restaurants there, good food was taken in. No cooking while on vacation. Fay and Donna still looking for a possible home in that area. They did visit the USS America Bar where Marilyn Monroe sat at…. Fay still felt her present. Their kitty cat was upset upon their return, no heat. Temp was 52, too cold for the kitty. 

Dick and Mary Dempsey are still looking for anyone who was stationed in the Naval Ice Recon Unit between 1960 to 1963. He has heard from one individual. Dick celebrated his 67th birthday on 26 October and Mary has a birthday coming up on January 25th. Dick didn’t give the number of years; I guess he Volume 29-1 February 2005 19 wants to see his 68th birthday. Happy Birthday to both of you. George and Diana Delano vacationed in Wisconsin this past year (29 Sep to 9 Oct). They took the round about way via Bloomton, Illinois to avoid construction.  Eventually they did reach their destination, Eagle River the
home of their 82-year-old Uncle. He continues to live off the land, chopping wood, homemade cooking, and no ready meals there. His home is located next to a lake inthe middle of the forest. They did get a taste of winter (SNOW) around Lake Michigan. Enjoyable time was had but home is where the heart is and it’s always nice to get
back.

Steve and Susan Kozlowski with their 3 children, Nichole (12), Dylan (9) and Mathew (6) have recently moved to the Hampton Roads area from Jacksonville. They have bought a home in Chesapeake. Steve also recently retired as a LCDR (LDO), after 28 years of
dedicated Naval Service. The move to Hampton Roads was prompt by Steve receiving a position at the new established Aviation Hub at NLMOC. He currently works at NLMOD Oceana with Bob Daigle and Bob Wright. All three will be making the move to the Hub in
February. Welcome to the area and hopefully a future member of the Hampton Roads Chapter.

Input from our Weather Mouse (Joan Akers)
Hi folks, Bob is knocking on my computer screen again and wanting to know what we have been doing lately.  Well, Floyd has managed to install a 22-foot vinyl fence to
replace what Isobel, the whirling wind drift, and squashed flat with our 40-foot cedar trees. As a matter of fact, she uprooted 6 of them and a couple laid down south to north and the rest east to west. And the only things we lost were a stretch of gutter two stories up and a narrow strip of siding a long with about 10 shingles. The new fence is beautiful.
And of course he is replacing two doors in the house. One to the bathroom that sports a sign that reads, "LMSR - London Midland and Scottish Railway - Will passengers kindly refrain from using the water closet whilst the train is in the station. By order - L. Andrews Regional Manager, 1st January 1866". Since we have yet to park in a station, we have had no problems.  The other door goes to the garage. And it is about time.  The last ambiguous dog we had tried to dig his way into the house and the toenail marks are still there.  We have added a sunroom to the back of our house and it is truly great. We have light from three sides and a beautiful view of the yard that is peopled or should I say animals with squirrels, rabbits, a huge variety of birds and if you are quick and lucky once or twice you might see our red fox, some opossums and the bandit looking raccoons who steal coi, large gold fish, from our neighbors pretty pool. Poor neighbor got so upset he put chicken wire over his pool and now the fish get sunburned in oval marks.

Well, Christmas is almost here and we did the most dangerous thing in the world. We emptied an 18-foot shelf of boxes filled with decorations and a boxed up Christmas tree. And while we have given many away, we have so many more to go. There is a village on our 90-inch table with houses, stores and tiny cars, buses and airplanes. Santa stands there with several other Santa’s surveying their kingdom. Then there is the small train track with a rebel train on it. It bravely waves the Confederate flags next to its cowcatcher. We have had no uprising and not a single cow caught, though there is a
little black bull not so far away.

Our young great-grandson, Nicky has built his own town in the sunroom and it also has a train track. He loves to load the train car with tiny cars and send them round the track. The town has a background of plants and Nick made a sign saying this is Tiny Town. Yes, it is a tiny town. The red hibiscus plant behind it keeps sending its bright red flowers and at last count there were 6 of them.  The plant was a gift from our younger son for Mother's day.

Our Ohio Grandson, Michael just got a truck since he is 16 and now has his driver's license. His Dad is very strict with both his children, (he also has an 18 year old daughter, Shannon in college at the University of Miami in Ohio), and he keeps a very tight rein on them. Seems they have had 13 deaths of children in about 6 months in
that county starting in January and everyone is cracking down.  Anyway, I thought instead of lecturing Mike, I would send a letter to the truck so he could read it to that pretty 4-wheeled treasure. I bet he gets a laugh out of it, but perhaps the information will stick, Mike is an outstanding athlete, playing football, baseball, soccer and basketball.
And his parents make sure his grades stay at least B+ and above. His sister ran track and did the 5-mile, the relay, cross-country and what ever else came up. Imagine a tall
slender redhead with an A and A+ brain and you have her. Anyway, the following is the letter I sent to Mike's truck.

(See remainder of new in Feb '05 Aerograph)