Source: Aerograph
May 2007
LONE STAR CHAPTER
Pres: LCDR Joe McKinzie
Sec: Becky Shannon
The
Lone Star Chapter will hold its Spring Meeting in San Antonio at the
Quality Inn, next to Sea World, on 4 and 5 May. President Joe
McKinzie and Bob Plante have expended quite a bit of time and
effort to put together the first chapter meeting for its members. This
will be our first meeting of the newly formed chapter. Joe McKinzie
reported that he talked to AGC Charles Smith’s wife and found
that Charles is now in a rest home suffering from COPD and heart
problems. She said he would be unable to participate in the Chapter.
Joe McKinzie
has been busy
scouting for members and getting the Lone Star Chapter off the ground.
New members continue to filter in and most of the membership will be in
attendance at the first Chapter meeting. After the Chapter meeting, Joe
will be visiting family in San Diego and attending the NWSA Reunion
immediately thereafter. He will be visiting family again in Colorado
and Kansas in June. Between almost daily stints on the golf course and
chasing 4 and 5 year old grandchildren, he manages to stay off the
streets and remain active.
Charlie and Ann Jordan
plan to fly into Seattle for the NWSA Reunion in Everett WA. Charlie is
anxious to see his shipmates and to show Ann a region where they were
never stationed! During the past year, Ann and Charlie have stayed
extremely busy tending to Ann's mother after her major stroke. After
the NWSA Reunion, they will take a side trip to Victoria BC and a day to
visit Ann's sister who lives in Seattle.
Roy and Betty Eshom
have not been able to do any traveling these days. Betty has advanced
Alzheimer’s. Roy takes care of Betty at home. Betty also has
Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. She is unable to walk. Roy is past
president of the University Investment Club (7 years). He also has
served as Legislative Chairman for the local retired teachers
organization for the past 15 years.
Sammy Erwin
Hello from the hills of western Arkansaws. I finally
got rid of my camper and got a 22 ft. motor home – more comfort. Just
spent week in Pensacola – on the beach in an RV park. Watched the surf
caress the silver sand as the sea breeze caressed the palms. Stirred up
memories of the Ligayen Gulf on the west coast of Luzon. All that was
missing was bananas, coconuts, San Miguel and a pretty native girl!
Last word I had was
Ferell Johnson, in S.W. Ark. Was recovering from bypass surgery. Was
still cowboying! Haven’t heard anything lately – hope he is okay.
Am headed to San Diego
tomorrow to visit Ron Shemanski and “Coke” Coquia – also granddaughter.
Hope to see you in Seattle.
Ben (Benny) McCaig
I live in
Wills Point, TX. (pop near 4000 and holding) which is approx 50 miles
east of Dallas, near Canton (known for first Monday trade days). I
retired the 31st of April 2006. Due to health issues, the rest of the
year was pretty well shot. However, I am well again and looking forward
to our get together in San Antonio.
Leo Scott
Your letter came while I was in the hospital. What started as a normal
hip replacement went bad. After multiple problems, I took a massive
heart attack and had to be rebooted. (Stop and re start the heart) I
don't believe I will be ready to attend in early May.
Jim Maxwell:
Retired from the National Weather Service at Fort Worth in 2004, finally
got bored enough to go back to work in October 2006. Part time only, at
Dallas Love Field as an "ASOS Sitter". I enjoy it though! Had triple
bypass surgery 2 months ago, and all is well. Will head off for a
couple of weeks of R&R in the Colorado Rockies in July, to get out of
this Texas heat. Looking forward to seeing all in San Antonio.
Source: Aerograph
February 2007
New Chapter formed in
Texas
LONE STAR
CHAPTER
President: Joe McKinzie
Sec/Treasurer: Becky Shannon
Congratulations to the Plank Owners of the NWSA’s newest
chapter, the Lone Star Chapter! 27 NWSA dues paid members makes it one
of the largest chapters in the association. It was stretched out to
include two Oklahoma members and is open to including members from other
neighboring states if you happen to know of anyone interested.
Joe McKinzie will be serving the first year as President and
Becky Shannon has graciously accepted appointment to the
Secretary/Treasurer position. A general election for next year’s
officers will be held at the currently planned Fall ’07 meeting (No firm
date or place as yet). The first Chapter meeting will be in the San
Antonio area during the first weekend in May. All members will be
contacted with details.
Lone Star Chapter Plank Owners are:
Thomas Berry, Bob
Davis, Roy Eshom, Irwin “Mike” Fastow, Moises “Ray” Gonzalez, Bill
Goodner, Roger Graham, James Grego, Harry Hale, Gene Hathaway, Charles
R “Charlie” Jordan, Larry Kennaley, Jesse Lofton, Ray Martinson, James
Maxwell, Ben McCaig, Joe McKinzie, William Orvis, Bonnie Page, R. J.
“Bob” Plante, Billy Rose. Leo Scott, Becky Shannon, Charles Smith, Ray
Tennison, Jose Valdez, and Alan Zahnle
The Chapter extends a special THANK YOU to Don Cruse for setting
up an organizational meeting and giving us the kick start that led to
the formation of the Chapter.
From:
Joe McKinzie
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 4:12 PM
Subject: NWSA LSC establishment
Congratulations Plank
Owners of NWSA's newest chapter! 27 NWSA dues paid members makes us
one of the largest chapters in the association. We stretched out and
included two Oklahoma members and are open to including others if you
happen to know anyone else interested.
By popular acclaim,
Joe McKinzie will be serving the first year as President and Becky
Shannon has graciously accepted appointment to the Secretary/Treasurer
position. We hope to have a general election for next year’s
officers, at the currently planned fall ’07 meeting (No firm date or
place as yet).
The responses to the
query sent out last month were in general agreement as follows:
1. President nominations – Joe
McKinzie 75%
2. Secretary/Treasurer – Bob Plante
(unable to accept due to other commitments. Becky Shannon volunteered
to serve in this position for the first year).
3. Only 3 additional members resulted
from the request for other names that might be interested in
membership.
4. It was unanimous in favor of first
year officers being appointed from the number of nominations received.
5. Most were in favor of some minimal
amount of dues and that it be determined at our first meeting.
6. A large majority favored two
meetings per year, one in South Texas (spring) and the other in North
Texas (fall). Some also suggested a meeting in Oklahoma in the future
and that the Chapter host a National Reunion in the near future.
7. A number of responses indicated an
inability to travel significant distances to meetings and that when we
meet, we should schedule for overnight due to the travel distances.
Also, that the meetings consist of more than a luncheon and business
meeting. Perhaps, tours of local attractions and possibly a golf
outing for those interested.
I think we have done
well in establishing the chapter with so many participants. As your
first President, I will do my best to plan an interesting and
fulfilling meeting in the spring. I am initially anticipating
scheduling our first meeting, the first weekend in May and it will be
in the San Antonio area.
As information comes
available, I will keep you informed via email or the postal service.
I would welcome your input for planning the next meeting and I am
looking forward to meeting those of you that I haven’t met and
renewing old acquaintances.
Best Regards,
Joe McKinzie
From:
Charlie Jordan
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 10:19 PM
Subject: NWSA Lone Star Chapter
We have formed a
chapter and requested a logo! Currently we have 22 members (see
attached LSC Roster). This letter went out, by email and USPS (to some
members) to begin to meet some of the requirements from the NWSA
Constitution & Bylaws (see attached NWSA Constitution). We are in the
process of developing officers and establishing some sense of order for
this chapter.
Joe McKinzie has
worked like a Trojan to get all this enrollment activity complete in the
last week or so.
Charlie
-----Original
Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 8:35 PM
Subject: NWSA Lone Star Chapter
Greetings ex-Navy Weather Guessers, to the
Lone Star Chapter of the Naval Weather Service Association! I believe
we owe a special thanks to CDR Don Cruse for giving us a kick start in
getting this new Chapter off the ground.
For those of you who weren’t aware of or
unable to attend, Don arranged a planning meeting on October 21st
in Fredericksburg, TX, for the establishment of a Texas Chapter. The
meeting was attended by Bob Plante, Gene Hathaway, Mike Fastow, Joe
McKinzie and Charlie Jordan. We subsequently obtained from the NWSA
Sec/Treas, a list of all current Texas NWSA members and the last known
locations of ex-NWS people in Texas. From the list, we have been able
to contact numerous people of which, 22 have indicated interest in NWSA
membership and in becoming plank owners in the Lone Star Chapter. All of
the non-current NWSA members were provided an NWSA application form and
a copy of the most recent Aerograph. (A list of those who have indicated
a desire to participate is attached to this mailing). We are continuing
to solicit participation so if you know of others in Texas, let me know
and I will attempt to contact them. Even if you don’t have their phone
number but know where they live or have lived recently, I may be able to
track them down.
The next step in the organizational process
is to outline the plans and purposes of the Chapter. We need to elect a
President and Secretary/Treasurer. I am not proclaiming candidacy
myself but to get this rolling, I am asking that each of you submit
nominations from the attached list, for these offices, to me by phone,
email or letter no later than 5:PM November 20th. I am
suggesting for expediency that for the first election for the first
year, the nominees receiving the most nominations be appointed to those
offices to avoid drawing out the election process. Future elections
would be by nomination and majority vote.
As regards the plans and purposes of the
Chapter, basically we want to renew old friendships, perpetuate
camaraderie and relay news and happenings within the Chapter. It has
been suggested that we not require annual dues but there will be some
minor expenses for postage and mailings to members who do not have
email. I suggest that we establish a General Fund for this purpose to
which contributions would be strictly voluntary at this
time. (Something less than $10).
Some members have also indicated that it
would be difficult for them to travel and participate in gatherings or
meetings due to travel distance and/or physical restrictions. (Many of
us are at that point in our lives or soon may be). After reviewing, our
members list, I see that we are nearly evenly split between North and
South Texas. Since NWSA bylaws (See attachment) require two meetings
per year, I suggest one meeting in South Texas (San Antonio?) and one in
North Texas (Fort Worth?) each year. I personally am looking forward to
meeting or becoming re-acquainted with some of my old shipmates. All
would be welcome at either meeting but would be especially encouraged to
attend the meeting closest to them. Physical attendance at any Chapter
meetings should never be mandatory to remain a member in good standing.
In review, I would like your input on the
following:
1. Nomination for President
2. Nomination for Secretary/Treasurer
3. Names of prospective members
4. Should 1st year officers be appointed based on number of
nominations or
should we have a formal election
5. Your opinion on Dues requirements
6. Location and timing of meetings/gatherings
7. What would you desire or expect from the Lone Star Chapter
Please respond at your earliest convenience but no later than 5:PM
November 20, 2006.
Best regards,
Joe McKinzie
LONE STAR CHAPTER ROSTER (Updated: 11/8/06)
Harry Hale, AGCM
**Tim Hatch, AGCS
Gene Hathaway AG1
**George Hiatt, LCDR
Charles R “Charlie” Jordan
Larry Kennaley
Ray Martinson, LCDR
**Jesse Lofton, AG1
James Maxwell AGCS
Ben McCaig, AG1
Joe McKinzie LCDR
William Orvis CWO4
R. J. “Bob” Plante CAPT
** Herman Rowland, AG
Ray Tennison CDR
**Jose Valdez, AGC
Alan Zahnle
** Members who only need to send their application for NWSA for
membership.
$$ Members who need an AEROGRAPH and will utilize the NWSA membership
application. Then they will enter the Lone Star Chapter.
Not a member?!
JOIN NOW! (Application)
From: Charlie Jordan
Sent: Monday, October 30,
2006
Subject: Status of the
Organizational Effort
The past week has, for
me, been a blur because I received the AEROGRAPHS and had to prepare
them for the bulk mail center, get the there, and get a few of the
AEROGRAPHS to the overseas mail. It seems that I needed to almost
reorient myself so far as the Lone Star Chapter is concerned.
Joe McKinzie had been
doing a great job. He has located three members - at least they were
interested in the chapter. I am including each one as a member with
this mailing. The way to avoid being a member is to tell me otherwise
<grin>! I urge each one of you to check the Texas roster and get
someone to commit to membership. We have nine members right now. One
more member and we can select a president and a secretary/treasurer.
Then we can request chapter recognition from NWSA and have a chapter
logo designed that we can use.
I’m not about to make
rules concerning this forming chapter. However due to the size of the
state and the difficulties in just traveling to have any sort of
face-to-face meetings, I want to suggest that the Lone Star Chapter only
have one annual meeting. I feel that meeting should be in the fall.
Summers are difficult – due to vacations. Springtime has some pretty
extreme weather for someone in Texas about once every 10 days. Winter
time can be extremely difficult for the Panhandle and West Texas
travelers. In truth, I envision that we move our meetings around the
state. For instance, we could meet in San Antonio one year, Dallas/Ft
Worth another year, Midland or Lubbock another year, Houston, East
Texas, etc.
I don’t believe that,
at this time, there should be any dues. (If I have to use postal mail
for some members, that’s okay. I’m a retired E-9, drawing Social
Security – I can afford some stamps and envelopes.) When we have an
annual meeting, for now, I figure that we can generally do “pay as you
go”. I see no requirement for a rule concerning required attendance at
any meetings. With the use of the internet, telephones, and US mail we
should be able to conduct our chapter business with few problems.
All of the foregoing
two paragraphs were my suggestions, I’m sure that we must have a
consensus before any edicts are established. But right now we need one
more member – desperately! Then we can take the next steps.
Please let me know
your thoughts about what we can/should accomplish in the founding of the
Lone Star Chapter. We NEED
members.
Very respectfully
Charlie Jordan
P.S. The members
without email will receive this email and roster via the postal
service. CJ
LONE STAR CHAPTER ROSTER
Thomas Berry AGCM
Irwin “Mike” Fastow
Gene Hathaway AG1
Charles R “Charlie” Jordan
James Maxwell AGCS
McCaig, Ben AG1
Joe McKinzie LCDR
R. J. “Bob” Plante CAPT
Ray Tennison CDR