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Source: Aerograph,
May
2007
The Chapter
spring 2007 meeting was at the China Seas Restaurant in Milton, Florida.
Members attending were: Al and Helen ATWELL, Bill and Barbara PRUITT,
Howard and Shirley GRAHAM, Pat and Libby O’BRIEN, John PHILLIPS, Dick and
Elizabeth TOKRYMAN, Dave and Jane DRIGGERS and Dave and Jerrie DUNLAP.
Don and Marge CRUSE, who were visiting the Atwells, also attended the
luncheon. Don brought us up to date on news of the NWSA and discussed the
need for chapters to participate in selection of the organization’s
officers.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Pat and Libby O'Brien
are enjoying retirement. They get to play a bit more golf, and Pat is
getting to do much more fishing. Pat also fills in at the Montessori
School of Pensacola when needed. In Feb. Jim and Joan Futtner
headed south from New England and spent five days with the O’Brien’s.
They were blessed with beautiful weather during their stay, and in
addition to seeing the sights of Pensacola, they got to visit with another
former shipmate, Dave Driggers. Dave and Jane invited the O’Briens
one evening for drinks, gossip, and a wonderful dinner. A good time was
had by all that evening. The O'Briens were sorry to see the Futtners go,
but reservations in Orlando, at Shades of Green, were calling. Pat and
Libby look forward to seeing them again in March when they'll travel to
Connecticut to do some grandchildren sitting. While in Pensacola recently
Libby’s daughter Teresa, her son-in-law Jeff and their two
children, Jacilynn and Cole, were injured in a serious automobile
accident. There were several broken bones and a lot of painful bruises,
but last word was that they are all on the mend and getting back to their
normal routines.
From Al Atwell: “I
was pleased to get together again with CDR Don Cruse, the NWSA
Historian, and his wife Marge at our last Pcla Chapter get-together
in Milton. When S1C(Aerm) Atwell checked in at his first DuSta at NAF
Annapolis on the 4th of July 1947, CaerM Cruse greeted me and quickly got
me headed in the right direction. About a year later he got me headed to
the real Navy - USS Philippine Sea CV-47.
Later about March 1954,
LT Cruse met me in London when I checked in to SuppSeroUnit One and helped
me get organized. When I returned to Conus in Mar 1956, LT Cruse met us
pier side at Bayonne, NJ and provided transportation assistance. In Jan
1960, LCDR Cruse met and assisted us to get housing in DC when I was going
to George Washington University. And later when I was deployed to Westpac
with VP-28, LCDR Cruse met us pier side at Yokosuka and provided a helping
hand.
In summary, taking care
of their troops has been a way of life for Don and Marge Cruse - which has
in a large sense been symbolic of the leadership and camaraderie enjoyed
throughout the Naval Weather Service Association."
In April, Jerrie and
Dave Dunlap are heading for Key West for a short 31st anniversary
visit. Dave is curious if there has been any change in the city since his
last visit there (on the USS Norfolk in 1961). On the way home they will
stop off at Pompano Park for some harness racing - just long enough to
drop off some money for oats and hay.
Submitted by AGC Dave
Dunlap USN RET
Source: Aerograph,
February
2007
President: Howard Graham
Sec/Treas: Dave Dunlap
The Pensacola Chapter
held it's annual Christmas Party/meeting at Mcquire's Irish Pub in
beautiful downtown Pensacola on the 10th of December. Those in
attendance were: Dick and Elizabeth Torkyman, Howard and Shirley Graham,
Al and Helen Atwell, John and Karen Phillips, Pat and Libby O'Brien, Dave
and Jerri Dunlap, and Bill and Barbara Pruitt. After the meal we held our
traditional White Elephant auction. In October Pat and Libby took a trip
to Scotland and England and this is an account of their adventures:
Libby and I really enjoyed the trip. As she says, "Who would have ever
thought I would be playing golf in Ireland on my 65th birthday." here were
six of us, and all the arrangements were made through a company called
Pioneer Golf Inc. They did a super job. After arriving in Shannon, we
got around in a large, blue Ford van. We called it the Blue Goose. Our
son-in-law, and yours truly, got to do the majority of the driving. Of
course there was no automatic transmission, and we had to shift with the
left hand. Needless to say, driving was an adventure. We visited one
fantastic golf course in Kinsale. It's called Old Head. Someone described
it as Pebble Beach on steroids. It was awesome. It is supposedly Tiger
Woods favorite course in Ireland. Another great stop was Adare Manor in
the town of Adare. It was top of the line when it came to service and
amenities and extremely picturesque. We were there for Libby's birthday.
Libby and I did the Scotland and England portion of our trip solo. We
tried for three days to get on the Old Course at St. Andrews but had no
luck. We might have got on if we wanted to get up at 5:00AM and stand in
line for a possible withdraw from play. At our age sleep takes
precedence! We took a side trip up into the Highlands one day and on
another we went into Edinburgh. It's a beautiful country with sheep and
cattle everywhere. It appears to me as if the country has made quite a
comeback from the hoof and mouth epidemic from a few years back. After
Scotland, we drove south to London. We spent five days there doing the
sightseeing thing. I was stationed there 40 years ago, but it was all new
for Libby. We did a lot of walking
and riding the tube (subway) from place to place. For those
who were once stationed there, the Barley Mow Pub is still around the
corner. To my disappointment, there was no Watney's Red Barrel and not a
steak and kidney pie to be found. Bangers and mash is still a staple
however. Compared to 40 years ago the cost of living over there has risen
considerably. The homes where I once lived (Northwood) were, for the most
part, torn down and replaced by estate homes going for around a couple
million pounds. Whew!!!! All in all, it was a great trip and the bread
and breakfast places we stayed at were great.
Al and Helen Atwell
continue to be busy enjoying the companionship of their new granddaughter
Alana and can't help but note the great weather we have enjoyed in
Pensacola during 2006 - No Hurricanes. The recent Xmas Pcla chapter get
together at McGuire's Irish Pub was also very enjoyable and those Irish
Coffee's are great. Al's most recent local Wx observation about 4:30 PM
on Friday, 22 Dec 2006 was very notable - As he was completing his daily
walk he heard what appeared to be a very loud explosion and wondered what
was going on?? A short while later he heard on the evening news that it
was the space shuttle sonic boom as the shuttle eased thru the sound
barrier vicinity of Pcla just prior to touch down at Cape Canaveral after
it's space station mission. Guess the shuttle pilot was a Navy guy was
just saying hello to some of the young flight students at NAS Pcla?? The
only remaining near term Wx problem now is to get some snow on the hills
of North Carolina so a few of us skiers can ease the boredom of the winter
season.
Howard and Shirley
went to Jacksonville on the 2nd of December to the ACC Championship game
at Alltel Stadium and sat in the rain to see two ranked college teams
score five field goals (3 for Wake Forrest and 2 for Georgia Tech).
Having said that, it was actually a good football game, and bundled up and
dry under a poncho, what the heck, it's football.
Source: Aerograph,
November
2006
President: Dick Tokryman
Sec/Treas: Howard Graham
The Pensacola Chapter held it's fall meeting at the El Rodeo
Mexican Restaurant in beautiful downtown Pace, Fl. on the 10th of
September. Those in attendance were: Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman, Al
and Helen Atwell, Dave and Jeri Dunlap, Bob and Elspeth Lloyd, Howard and
Shirley Graham, Pat and Libby O'Brien, Greene and Marion Hawkes, and Ginny
Deagan. Those that attended the reunion (O'Briens and Grahams)
reported how successful, enjoyable, and how well organized it was. Tom
and Mary Ann Miovas did a marvelous job.
Greene Hawks
recently had eye surgery and still doesn't see very well and has to keep
ice packs on his eyes. Earlier in the summer he won the R.W. Munson award
in the Pensacola Day Lily Show. Rose Frazier is going to Ecuador,
Santo Domingo on the 30th of Sept. for a week long mission trip. Her
tours in Spain helped her keep up with her Spanish so she's going as a
translator for most part. With Arthur also disabled now, both are at home
doing volunteer work such as VBS. It has been a hard last few years for
John Phillips. He lost his mother last October and his brother was
killed in March this year. In addition, hurricanes Ivan and Dennis
damaged his Pace H&R block office pretty badly and Dennis removed the
entire roof from the Milton office. Repairs are nearly completed (mostly
interior trim repairs) and he expects to be recovered by tax season.
John and Karen are heading out to Calif. to go to a H&R Block Franchise
Convention the week of 9-13 Oct. Their oldest daughter will also travel
with them as they plan on combining business and personal time with a
visit their daughter and son-in-law stationed near San Diego. Al and
Helen Atwell have been busy enjoying the company of their new
granddaughter was born in early June. They also had an interesting trip
to Annapolis, MD where Al and Helen attended Al's 60th high school
reunion there. While every one there was young at heart, the reality was
that all attendees were at 60 plus 16 years old. Time sure flies. On the
way back to Pensacola, they enjoyed a brief visit with Don and Marge
Cruse in Arlington, VA and Roger and Cheryl Warren in Mabane,
NC.
Source: Aerograph, August
2006
President: Dick Tokryman
Sec/Treas: Howard Graham
On the 11th of June the Pensacola Chapter held it's Summer meeting at the
China Seas Restaurant in beautiful downtown Milton, Fl. The mood was
somewhat subdued by the loss of one of our dear friends and shipmate Tom
Deagan just a few days earlier. Our thoughts and prayers are with to Ginny
and the Deagan family during this sad time. Those in attendance were: Dick
and Elizabeth Torkyman, Al and Helen Atwell, Howard and Shirley Graham,
Pat and Libby O'Brien, Bill and Barbara Pruitt, Greene and Marion Hawkes,
Dave and Jeri Dunlap, and John Phillips. Al was in good spirits despite
24-hour vigil awaiting the new grand-daughter's arrival Sat. the 10th. In
April, Howard and Shirley spent a week at Short Stay Naval Recreation Area
on Lake Marion, SC. Their daughter is a school teacher in Charleston, SC
and she and the kids were on spring break. The weather was great and the
fishing was good. Pat confirmed that he was officially retired so Dick
asked him if the Chapter nominated him for President of the NWSA would he
accept. He said he would and the vote was unanimous. Howard said he would
nominate Pat from the floor in Pittsburg. The O'Briens and the Grahams are
all packed and ready to head for Pittsburg tomorrow and Tuesday.
Source: Aerograph, May
2006
President: Dick Tokryman
Sec/Treas: Howard Graham
On the 26th of February BARBARA PRUITT hosted a party for BILL
for his 80th birthday at the China Sea Restaurant in Milton, Fl. It was a
surprise but not without a close call when Bill and Barb ran across
BERNIE BAUER at the airport. Bernie acknowledged Bill's upcoming
birthday but fortunately didn't mention the party. Fifteen people
attended and of course Bill told a story (or dozen). PAT and LIBBY
O'BRIEN hosted our Spring meeting at their beautiful home in
Cantonment on the 12th of March 2006. Those in attendance included: AL
and HELEN ATWELL, DICK and ELIZABETH TOKRYMAN, BILL and BARBARA PRUITT,
DAVE and JERRI DUNLAP, GREENE and MARION HAWKES, HOWARD and SHIRLEY GRAHAM.
In the South you don't say "Pot Luck" unless you're serious, and we had a
serious pot luck meal that even Ole St. Patty himself would have enjoyed.
SEE Y'ALL IN PITTSBURG IN JUNE!
Source: Aerograph, February
2006
PENSACOLA CHAPTER
President: Dick Tokryman
Sec/Treas: Howard Graham
On Sunday, November 13th, 2005, a pot luck party was held at the home of
Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman to bid farewell to departing chapter members
Roger and Cheryl Warren. They have relocated to North Carolina and all of
us here in the Pensacola Chapter wish them well. Attending the party were
the guests of honor Roger and Cheryl Warren, Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman,
Pat and Libby O'Brien, Howard and Shirley Graham, Greene and Marion Hawks,
John and Karen Phillips, Al and Helen Atwell, Bob and Elsbeth Lloyd, Bill
and Barbara Pruitt Our winter meeting took place on the 11th of December,
2005 at McGuire's Irish Pub, in downtown Pensacola. Those in
attendance included: John and Karen Phillips, Greene and Marion Hawks, Tom
and Ginny Deagan, Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman, Bill and Barbara Pruitt,
Howard and Shirley Graham, Al and Helen Atwell, Pat and Libby O’Brien, Bob
and Elsbeth Lloyd, and Dave and Jerri Dunlap. A white elephant gift
exchange was held which turned out to be an exchange of rather nice gifts.
Dick Tokryman moved up to Pensacola Chapter President for 2006 and
Howard Graham graciously accepted his nomination for Pensacola Chapter
Secretary for the new year.
Source: Aerograph, November 2005
PENSACOLA CHAPTER,
President - Pat O’Brien
Sec/Treas - Dick Tokryman.
Our summer meeting took place on the 12th of September, 2005 at the Panda China Restaurant in
downtown Pensacola. Those in attendance included: Greene and Marion Hawks, Tom
and Ginny Deagan, Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman, Bill and Barbara Pruitt, Howard and Shirley Graham,
Al and Helen Atwell, Pat and Libby O’Brien, Tom and Ginny Deagan, and Bernie Bauer.
In the August Aerograph I mentioned that I do not need CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, and the Weather Channel to
send people to Pensacola on a regular basis as they did for Ivan, Arlene, and Dennis. Pensacola survived
August and September without any major tropical storms or hurricanes but unfortunately our shipmates, friends,
and families in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana suffered through Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our
heartfelt sympathy goes out to all affected by the two disasters. Pat and Libby O’Brien left at the end of June and took
a 4-week junket around the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada. Their first destination was the Treetops Resort
in Gaylord, Michigan. They played golf and did some sightseeing. They also watched the Par 3 Shootout with
Phil Mickelson, Freddie Couples, and a couple of old guys: Andy North and Gary McCord. The old guys won
most of the money. They then went south to Westland, Michigan, and spent a few day with Pat’s oldest son,
Patrick, and his family. They spent the 4th of July at Niagra Falls and were treated to fireworks on both sides
of the river. The next day they took a boat ride into the falls. Libby highly recommends it if you get there. Pat
only recommends you take this boat ride in the summer. From there, they went to Rochester, N.Y., and watched
a Triple-A baseball game. They said that it was much nicer, and one helluva lot cheaper, than the major
league game they watched in Detroit. While they were in Rochester, Hurricane Dennis visited Pensacola.
Thankfully, they suffered no damage. They then went to Cooperstown, NY and visited the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Pat uncovered an interesting bit of trivia while there. Before the Yankees became the “Yankees”, they were
the Baltimore Orioles. From there, it was on to Connecticut to visit with Pat’s daughter, Kelly, and her
family. While there, they got to spend an evening with the Jim and Joan Futtner which was an extra special
treat. At VA. Beach the O’Briens got to visit with Pat’s youngest son, Sean, and his family. From there they
drove west to Evansville, Illinois, to visit with Libby’s youngest daughter, Teresa, and her family. Then it was
back home. They were able to make the trip because Libby finally retired after 33 years with civil service, and
Pat was on summer vacation from his teaching job. After they got back, Libby was ready to rejoin the work force.
She took a job with a contractor doing pretty much the same thing she was doing before she retired. When
Hurricane Katrina moved into the Gulf of Mexico and headed for eastern Louisiana and western Mississippi,
they headed to Jacksonville. Pat said he couldn’t see putting themselves in harm’s way should the track
suddenly shift eastward. It just so happened that they got to see Ray Hennesey while having lunch at the club
house. Ray wanted to know if they were going to the reunion in Pittsburgh next summer, and Pat told him it
was in their plans. There is nothing I would rather do when I compose the next input for the Aerograph than to
report that all is well along the entire gulf coast. Let’s
hope so.
Source: Aerograph, August 2005
President: Pat Obrien
Sec/Treas: Dick Tokryman
Our summer meeting took place on the 12th of June, 2005 at the Panda China
Restaurant in downtown Pensacola. Those in attendance included: , Greene
and
Marion Hawks, John and Karen Phillips, Tom and Ginny Deagan, Dick and
Elizabeth Tokryman, Howard and Shirley Graham, Al and Helen Atwell, Bob
and Elsbeth Lloyd, Pat and Libby Obrien, and Bernie Bauer. The oriental
buffet was excellent and enjoyed by all.
Tropical Storm Arlene came ashore near Fort Pickens Saturday afternoon the
11th of June, 2005. The first named storm of the 2005 hurricane season
caused much less damage than anticipated. Landfall was very close to where
Hurricane Ivan came ashore last September. Unfortunately, there are
still many blue roofs in the
Pensacola area as a result of Ivan.
Al and Helen Atwell enjoyed their trip to Branson in May. Al and Helen
were able to get together with Willie Ray and Shirley Sanders and Bob and
Richie Freeman. The
Atwell, Sanders, Freeman trio had spent a lot of time together at Wx Hq in
the early 1950’s as relatively new AG1’s. As best Al could remember,
some of their most important decisions were made at daily strategy
sessions at the pentagon snack bar-which involved issues such as what kind
of hot new car they were going to buy or what kind of good orders they
were going to get for their next duty station? After Branson, Howard and
Shirley Graham went to Charleston, SC to visit their daughter and attend
their granddaughter’s high school graduation. Roger and Cheryl
Warren could not join us at the Panda China Restaurant because Roger was
at home tending to Cheryl who is recovering from double-bypass heart
surgery.
Today is Monday July 11, 2005. Hurricane Dennis came ashore just east of
Gulf Breeze with winds over 100 mph. I like living in Pensacola but
I do not need CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, and the Weather Channel to send people
here on such a regular basis. I tuned in to CNN Sunday night just in time
to hear Max Mayfield inform me about “Emily” moving in our general
direction. As John Stossel says on 20/20, "GIVE ME A
BREAK".!!!!!
Dick Tokryman
Aerograph May 05
PENSACOLA CHAPTER
President: Pat Obrien
Sec/Treas: Dick Tokryman
Our fall meeting took place on the 12th of September, 2004 at Jubilee’s
Restaurant on
beautiful Pensacola Beach. Those in attendance included: , Greene and
Marion Hawks, John and Karen Phillips, Bill and Barbara Pruitt, Dick and
Elizabeth Tokryman, Roger and Cheryl Warren, Al and Helen Atwell, Bob and
Elsbeth Lloyd, Pat and Libby Obrien, Howard and Shirley Graham, Bruce
Glaes, and Marty Bonk. Bruce and Marty are not locals so it was great to
see them here. Marty came over from his island paradise in Georgia and
there must be something in the water there because he looks the same to me
as when we were on active duty back in Lakehurst NJ.
Beautiful Pensacola Beach lasted four more days until the arrival of
Hurricane Ivan on the 16th of September, 2004. By the time it moved
through, it tore up Pensacola and the surrounding area. Fortunately, most
of our chapter members did not experience serious difficulties but many in
the Pensacola area who lived near the waters edge suffered extensive
damage and are still haggling with FEMA and their insurance companies
about whether their damage was caused by waves or wind. Now that tens of
thousands of area homes and buildings have new shingles on their roofs,
its almost time to set Hurricane Watch 2005.
Our winter meeting took place at McGuire’s Irish Pub. We had
another good turnout. The meeting was attended by Howard and Shirley
Graham, Bill and
Barbara Pruitt, Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman, Roger and Cheryl Warren, Al
and Helen Atwell, Bob and Elspeth Lloyd, Rose and Arthur Frazier, Tom and
Ginny Deagan, Bernie and Lee Bauer, and Pat and Libby Obrien. After the
meeting we had our annual White-Elephant gift exchange. President Pat
lucked out and picked the gift box with the 8 x 10 glossy of the island of
Guam. Now that’s a white elephant!
On Sunday, 13 March, 2005, we all enjoyed a delicious pot-luck at the home
of Al and Helen Atwell. Those attending were: Pat and Libby Obrien, Dick
and Elizabeth Tokryman, Tom and Ginny Deagan, Greene and Marion Hawks,
Bill and Barbara Pruitt, Howard and Shirley Graham. and Roger and Cheryl
Warren. Roger was wearing his new pacemaker and is doing well. He and
Cheryl are heading to Biloxi in mid-April to celebrate their anniversary.
Al and Helen returned to Pace, Florida after a March vacation to the snow
covered Carolina mountains. Several of our members will be driving up to
Branson in May, hope to see you there!
Aerograph
Feb 05
On
the 14th of September our small clan braved a severe thunderstorm and
downpour to gather at the home of Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman. The
food (Elizabeth's baked chicken) and the side dishes provided by the
chapter wives were delicious. Elizabeth's margaritas were especially good
and everyone (except Howard) had at least one. Howard had to forego the
margaritas because he was standing a mid-watch that evening at NAS.
Those Chapter members/spouses/guests attending included: Al and
Helen Atwell, Roger and Cheryl Warren, Greene and Marion Hawkes,
Bill and Barbara Pruitt, Dick and Elizabeth Tokryman, John Phillips, and
Howard and Shirley Graham had Shirley's mother Inez Byrd for a guest.
As you can see many of our members were not able to attend because of
various family and health concerns and we keep them in our prayers and
thoughts.
After enjoying the great meal and wine, a brief chapter business meeting
was held.
The
weather Gods smiled on them with warm temps & rain on one day only.
Three other families were on the trip in including Dan’s two brothers.
**My
widowed brother, AGCM ret. Fred Baillie, made an ocean trip
recently. Not a Navy cruise. He retired in 1985. Actually it was a Gulf
Cruise to Cozumel, Mejico (they spell it with a J) with his red headed
lady friend, Margie. Hey, bro, does she have a friend? Fred &
son Dan have just bought a boat & are looking forward to lots of Gulf
fishing trips
Frank Baillie
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