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Guesser's" POTOMAC REGIONAL CHAPTER
President………………Bob Freeman POTCHAP CALENDAR
16-20 May: 33rd Annual
NWSA Reunion in Everett WA, hosted by NW Regional Chapter in Holiday Inn. There is no question about where our focus is centered at this writing. Item Numero Uno on the calendar above says it all. It is impossible to predict chapter attendance at a distant reunion; but we hope to have good PotChap representation. So long as NWSA follows its long-standing policy of rotating annual reunions geographically, to take advantage of the shorter travel times over a period of several years, we know that our 2008 travel to Milwaukee will bring less strain. Many of us are anticipating NWSA33 because it will be held in a fascinating part of the U.S.A. Congratulations to two newly-selected METOC (6465) Limited Duty Officers: George DABNEY and Jimmy SHIVELY. We know that many of our METOC community are at present holding their breath while awaiting other selection board results. And who will be our next CNMOC? Back in January there was a call from Ann SANBORN in Boulder CO. She was helping her brother with the task of relocating her father, CAPT Richard W. SANBORN USN RET, to an assisted living facility. We’re standing by for a new address. Ann teaches at the Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island NY, and is a licensed skipper. While updating our chapter roster, which necessitated chasing a few people around the area, we chatted with Barbara HANSEN, who lives with a daughter in southern MD. Frank H did his twilight tour at Suitland after they returned from England; and he worked with Chuck FIFIELD on Adak. The new Director of Naval Historical Center in WashNavyYard is former Oceanographer of the NAVY, RADM Paul E. TOBIN, Jr. After retiring in 1998, he became the executive director of the Educational Foundation at AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Assn). Any type of roster is nearly impossible to maintain current. Who knows where LCDR Walt & Nanci MITCHELL are? How about Betty BROWN? AGCS Barry BROCKMANN? CDR Angel RIVERA? Lois MULLINS? AGCS Joe DeUnger? Section 2 of our Bellinger List is loaded with erroneous information. From The WashPost we learned that a 46-year USWB employee named Gordon David CARTWRIGHT died on January 1st in Renton WA. In 1957 he spent a year in Antarctica with 180 Russians at Mirnyy. He was 97. Chuck KINCANNON noted that x-LT Blake PURDY died in April 2006. He had served on O’ahu with Bob JUNGHANS in 1960-62 at BARPAC. Betty WINTERSTEEN flew to PHX to help celebrate her brother’s 90th. This is Betty’s 8th year in Calvary Fellowship Home in Lancaster PA. From Dorothy MEEKS we learn that Joe has Alzheimer’s, which has necessitated moving him to an assisted living facility near PAXRIV. ROADHOUSE LUNCH BUNCH We had a full house at the 22 Feb lunch, which means Bob BLACK, Chuck KINCANNON, Al PYLE, John MERCER, Bulldog DRUMMOND and this writer (Don CRUSE). Our primary subject for discussion was the fiasco at WRAMC in WashDC—the bureaucratic impasse encountered by Iraq & Afghanistan wounded personnel. Also VP Cheney’s visit “down under.” With my CofS I drove to Pensacola in early March with some memorabilia for the National Museum of Naval Aviation—my first visit to the museum in four years. There are many new exhibits such as the one depicting WW1 Naval offshore patrol operations from the coast of France. There was an enjoyable Sunday gathering of the Pncla Chap people, with lots of discussion on NWSA33/Everett. On 05 March one of our old-timers in Naval Aerology died in Kennett Square PA….CAPT Richard J. “Mike” RYAN USMC RET See his obit elsewhere in this n/l. On 07 March Barre SHEPP underwent bypass surgery at a hospital in York PA. Marjorie was fending off inquiries for a while, but Barre is back at work now after a spell of light duty. He handles veterans’ affairs for the County of York. On 07 March LT Isaac “Ike” FISHER USN RET died in Annapolis. Ike’s obit appears elsewhere in this n/l. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on the morning of 05 April. POTCHAP DINNER MEETING AT ROSECROFT Our 24 March mid-winter social event was held at a familiar venue so that members could donate to the pony races. Once again, Jim ROMANO set everything up (with Rosalie’s advice); and we were favored by Mother Nature. Nowadays it’s difficult to find an appropriate venue for such a gathering. In the ‘old days’ we could use military clubs; but those are becoming extinct. We enjoyed the good turn-out for the event. Between the 4th and 5th races, one of which was dedicated to PotChap, Pres Bob FREEMAN conducted a short business meeting. P/P Tom BEASLEY reported a full slate of nominees for 2007-8 officers. But no one hoisted his hand when the opportunity to run for NWSA officer-elect was announced. Moon MULLEN will not be happy. NWSA P/P Tom MIOVAS presented PotChap with a CD containing an almost complete historical record of The Aerograph—when the gaps are filled, he will provide a CD to each regional chapter. Tom did a huge amount of work on this project. For example, the oldest newsletters had to be re-typed in their entirety. Our next goal will be to index them by subject. Then we will have a real research tool. We learned that the Oceanographer & Navigator of the NAVY, RADM Fred BYUS USN will soon retire. His relief will be RADM David A. GOVE USN, currently ComNavPersCom. Our chapter Sec-Treas, Mac MCLEOD, underwent bypass surgery on 19 March, was released from the hospital on 23rd, and is still recuperating. Will GOULD has volunteered to fill in as chapter Sec-Treas. Father Paul HUDOCK has been assigned to a new job within the West Virginia Diocese. Instead of being Executive Assistant to the Bishop, he assumes responsibility for recruiting additional priests. In Feb 2006 “Doc” CARVER retired from his long-time Federal “coordinating” job. Now Doc & Bonnie Jean have an address in New Harbor ME while trying to sell their Dunkirk MD home. The ROMANOs have a similar situation, trying to sell their home in Pomfrey MD after moving to a ’55-and-older’ community nearby. The KINGs, Bill & Laverne, report their usual FamCamp winter deployment to McDill AFB, followed by a 12-day Caribbean cruise. While camping they keep busy with tennis, bridge & Chapel activities. WHAT NEW RATING IS MC? Part of the current effort to mash similar ratings together and minimize the overall number results is the creation of MC. The new rating combines JO (Journalist), LI (Lithographer), PH (Photographers Mate) and DM (Draftsman-Illustrator). Thus, we end up with Mass Communications Specialist. That’s known as progress. BINNACLE LIST
Patricia McLeod on chemo therapy. Keep these friends and shipmates in your thoughts and prayers. WHO IS RUNNING NAVICE THESE DAYS? The skipper is CAPT Cory A. SPRINGER USN. His CMDSC is AGCS Mike BUTCHER USN. 175 YEARS OF OCEAN SURVEY The book by Charles C. Bates, “HYDRO to NAVOCEANO: 175 Years of Ocean Survey,” is still available at a bargain price. DEGREE PROGRAM FOR THE AG Ambitious AG personnel now stationed on Stennis Space Center will soon be able to take advantage of a new educational opportunity. The University of Southern Mississippi has established a new BS (Marine Sciences) on the station. NET-CENTRIC WARFARE Read the latest on this subject in the February 2007 issue of Naval Institute Proceedings. Peter J. Washburn, a physical scientist at NAVOCEANO, wrote: NAVOCEANO Is Part of Net-Centric Warfare. NAMF SYMPOSIUM ‘07 The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation presents SYMPOSIUM ’07 on 9-11 May, 2007 on NAS Pensacola. Hear about “Birth of the Blues,” “Tales from the Back of the Ready Room,” and “Naval Aviation: Issues and Answers.” Details at www.naval-air.org. TSUNAMI WARNING NOAA and Thailand have launched the first Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) buoy station in the Indian Ocean to assist in detecting tsunamis. The buoy will be maintained by the Thai Meteorological Department and National Disaster Warning Center. All nations will receive the data via WMO telecommunications. NOAA has upgraded 33 tide stations in an effort to detect tsunamis more quickly, as part of the national Water Level Observations Network. Every six minutes tidal data become available now. MILITARY REUNIONS From a recent newsletter distributed by USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CV-47), and forwarded by Pncla Chap member Al ATWELL, we glean some valuable guidance. The PHILSEA planner is notifying members that there will be changes due to methods in use by contracted professional reunion planners in NorVa--the same as NWSA is doing with AFRI already contracted for NWSA/34 in Waukesha WI in September, 2008, on a test basis. Some adaptations from self-operated reunions will be: 1. Hospitality Room limitations and discipline (respect the rules and limitations under which the organizer must operate). 2. Meeting rooms (## still commensurate with the level of reunion participation and support—otherwise reduced or charged). 3. Payment of fees ($$$ for tours go to organizer, $$$ for banquet to organizer, $$$ reunion registration fees to organizer, $$$ hotel room rent to hotel). 4. Cut-off dates (necessarily more strict, with few exceptions for changed plans, cancellations, etc.) 5. Name tags (provided by organizer, based on registrations). 6. NWSA reunion coordinator will still be required to act as primary point-of-contact with organizer (probably NWSA President).
From:
Donald A. Cruse [mailto:Don.Cruse@Verizon.Net] NAVAL
WEATHER SERVICE ASSOCIATION OUR ANNUAL POTOMAC CHAPTER NIGHT OUT AT THE RACES WILL AGAIN BE HOSTED BY JIM AND ROSALIE ROMANO IN THE JOHN HANSON ROOM, AT THE ROSECROFT RACEWAY.
WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 24,
2007
WHERE: ROSECROFT RACEWAY IN FORT WASHINGTON, MARYLAND (Take
Exit
COST: $34.00 PER PERSON.
MENU: CHICKEN
MARSALA, SHRIMP CREOLE, SALAD, VEGETABLES, ROLLS AND BUTTER, WINE AT EACH
TABLE, ASSORTED DESSERTS, COFFEE, ICE TEA, AND ICE WATER. Email Webmaster@NavalWeather.org for contact information Source: Aerograph, November 2006
POTCHAP CALENDAR
22 Feb - Washington’s Birthday—holiday observed 19th. We can look back at the quarter commencing October 2006, and the recent Christmas-New Year holiday season with great pleasure. A major subject for conversation is, of course, the exceptionally mild wx that persists (as soon as I write this we’ll surely experience a severe outbreak of Arctic air! I hope not!). Do we give credit to El Nino? There are many different opinions. Recent funeral ceremonies for President Gerald Ford were impressive, especially those held in the Washington National Cathedral on a fine, brisk, and windy day. Unfortunately, those of us who live in close proximity to the Arlington National Cemetery are all too frequently observing burials of our youngsters killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because so many are so young, the families of those casualties often prefer to have them returned to their homes. CONGRATS TO THESE OCEANOGRAPHERS Newly-selected for LCDR (1800) are: Amy BLEIDORN, Daniel BUTLER, Glen CESARI, John HENDRICKSON, Benjamin JONES, Ruth LANE, Shane STOUGHTON, Kenneth WALLACE, and Micah WELTMER. And we welcome to the 1800 community these augmentees: Charles De PALMA, Eric DALEY and Megan THOMAS.
There was an organizational meeting of our Lone Star Regional
Chapter in the Memorial Garden behind The Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg
TX in mid-October. My First Mate and I thoroughly enjoyed the
camaraderie, the chance to renew friendships, and the new friends.
Plankowners of the new chapter include the PLANTE and the ZAHNLE families,
who recently re-located to Texas from PotChap. Charlie JORDAN and Joe
MCKINZIE deserve a lot of credit for taking the bull by the horns (not a
Texas pun) with this endeavor. Good Luck To All. We note the recent passing of these Aerology personalities: CAPT Floyd D. BOWDEY USN(Ret) on 27 Oct 2006 from melanoma. He was USNA’47 and received a degree in Meteorology at NPGS Monterey. Mary M. “Marie” (LARAGY) Fogle on 08 Aug 2006 from cancer. Born in NYC, reared in Newark NJ, attended Rutgers University before shipping into the NAVY in 1944. As an Aerographer’s Mate she served on NAS Jax. Dr. Donald Woods THOMAS during Nov 2006 in West Lafayette IN of emphysema. Reported by Ollie YOUNGQUIST, who sang the NAVY Hymn during the Memorial Service. The saga of these two young Aerographer’s Mates during late 1945, and the subsequent marriage of THOMAS to surviving daughter of Japanese prisoners from Santo Thomas prison in Manila, was previously published in this newsletter. Barbara & Don died within a fortnight of one another. She had cancer. (Note: Other deaths are on our NWSA Web page) News filtering N’wd from Florida tells us that a longtime National Weather Service forecaster named Bill PROENZA will replace Max MAYFIELD as honcho of the National Hurricane Center in MIA. Also, the Jax NAVY Flying Club enjoyed a presentation on hurricanes at a monthly meeting. Former WTLV-12 Chief Meteorologist, Ray BOYLAN, spent 23 years in the Naval Weather Service. Ray is currently president of the NAVY Hurricane Hunter’s Assn. Dave & Jane DRIGGERS have migrated back to Pensacola from NC and are using email pncla20@cox.net. Bob BENTLEY is becoming accustomed to using his prosthesis after amputation of his leg. Bud PARHAM has presented NWSA with a copy of his outstanding autobiography, “The Time Of My Life.” It has been added to our archives. Thanks to updating information obtained from Bob MUGLER, we have a complete chronology of AG Detailers. Copies are available on request to NWSA Historian. Speaking of migrations, Doc & Bonnie Jean CARVER shoved off for better scenery and are settling into digs in New Harbor ME. Use carverbj1@earthlink.net for email. Vern GRAY has found a new home in Florida after many years around PAXRIV. While we erroneously believed that Nancy MCHALEY had retired and moved to Sandy Eggo, Al ATWELL found her at the same address as pre-retirement in Pensacola. Sylvia ERWIN enjoyed a visit from son Troy, who is skipper of MSTS PATHFINDER, a research vessel plying the world’s oceans. Troy retired from the submarine service and calls SAN home. Fay CROSSLEY retired from the National Weather Service at the end of 2006, and his final duty station was in the peanut patch called Wakefield VA. Our NAVMETOC leader, RDML Tim MCGEE USN, participated in the Oceans MTS/IEEE Conference held in the Hynes Convention Center in BOS, as did former Oceanographer of the NAVY RADM Brad MOONEY, USN(Ret). ADVANCED IN RATING: Our congrats to these petty officers who advanced to AG1: James DOLLAR, Jonathan HARRIS, Kirk HYING, Chi Wang MAXEY, Rocky MCMAHAN, Gregory ORTIZ, William PALMER, James STONE, Shawn WEGRECKI, and Aaron WIMBERLY. Advancing to AG2: Sean CUMMINGS, Dustin EDBERG, Crystal PATRICK, Kristy TAFOYA, Jamie TAYLOR and Terrence THRASH. To AG1 USNR, David HUNTER. BZ to you all. CDR John VAN GURLEY USN has become the first skipper of a new shop on Stennis Space Center called the Naval Oceanography Anti-Submarine Warfare Center. He reports to CAPT David TITLEY USN, who has the title of Commander, Naval Oceanography Operations—as the Captain briefed us during his seminar at NWSA32/Pittsburgh last May. Peter & Marcia WEIGAND celebrated his 50th birthday at a dinner theater in Maryland and invited lots of friends. Mike KRIEGER declined our offer of a one-year NWSA gift membership. He has family reasons. Tom BERKERIDGE reports that USNAVY has abandoned 7 North Audley Street in London, which is hard to believe. During WW2 General Eisenhower was headquartered there. AGCS Mike BUTCHER USN was welcomed to PotChap. He relieved AGCS Barry BROCKMANN as COMDSC NAVICE Suitland. Mo GIBBS remains very active with USCG AUXILIARY on Nantucket—among his other responsibilities. Carrying out their long-time threat, Jim & Rosalie ROMANO moved to a 55-and-older community, and here is new contact info: 4760 Saint Brides Street, White Plains MD 20695-3151, Tel 301.932.9902. No change in email address. Bill & LaVerne KING are once again wintering at FAMCAMP on McDill AFB, as they have done consistently since 1983. As their rum supply dwindles, they may find it necessary to book a Caribbean cruise to replenish. We need a fresh address for Betty BROWN, who has relocated from Midlothian (Richmond) VA. On that subject, I encourage every NWSA member to take a close look at Section II (non-members) of our Bellinger List, and lend a hand with culling out the bum dope that is so prevalent in there. Every year the information becomes more out of date, indicating that our membership is following the “Let the other guy do it” method. Secretary-Treasurer Jim STONE can record only information sent to him. Please cooperate. Just a reminder for attendees at NWSA33/Everett—don’t forget to bring reunion scrapbooks from previous annual reunions for display in our Hosp Ctr. To wrap up this ration of chatter, here are bits of news included in Christmas cards. Walt & Alice COTTRELL completed the merging of two households into one in White Stone VA. Among their many travels there was one that stood out the most, the autumn cruise in QUEEN MARY II to Canadian & US ports. Dan & Ethel STORY invited his brother Ike to join their household in Yorktown VA. The threesome enjoys trips to places like Hawaii. Bob & Bev COSTA in New Bern NC have lengthened their boat dock to accommodate the runabout. Their visit to Scotland (and son near Edinburgh) in August was great. Good friends and correspondents are Peg DEHN and June CRAWFORD, and we always like to hear from them. Peg lives in Maryland, June in Largo FL. Naomi BELLINGER in Rome NY is not exactly complaining about the lack of snow on the ground—just that rent keeps increasing. Walt & Rose WINFREY continue to reside nearby. Walt is now 92. Lorraine d’ENTREMONT feels fortunate to have #2 son, Brian, still living with her and providing young legs for a lot of the chores and maintenance. Other children also remain nearby in the East Hartford area. Just down the river a piece, Beatle & Pat BAILEY also have a son nearby after his service with USMC. Beatle still does his part-time thing with Middletown Hospital each morning, and thoroughly enjoys it. Irma KING in central Florida is happy to have a daughter residing with her, and they were joined by their entire family for Christmas. Dave & LaVerne REUSCHER avoided the Florida heat and humidity by cruising their RV to the NC mountains to spend May thru Sept; and then they returned to Veira home base via Myrtle Beach in November. Tolerating the central Florida wx, Vince & Arlene BREWER make do by getting their outside chores taken care of before the sun rises too high. Vince is trying to mentor some local three-year-olds in reading. Already settled in and enjoying NC beauty & the seasons are Ron & Mary BLOOMFIELD in Hendersonville. Son Rick retired from Delta Airlines. Vince & Robby ROPER enjoy life in Maryland pretty well surrounded by kids and grandkids. Robby continues to earn national awards for crime victims’ rights. Mike & Jeannine FASTOW are members of our newest NWSA Regional Chapter named Lone Star. Mike had a second career with Nat’l Wea Svc. Ray & Ninette TENNISON in San Antonio are also part of Lone Star; and we certainly enjoyed visiting with them in October—and with daughters & families! Neil & Jean O’CONNOR are beginning to like Madison MS as they become accustomed to life away from the Gulf coast. Nice to have family nearby. Gail WHITE had to bite the bullet and leave Largo FL. New address is 2900 S. Jefferson Avenue (#323), Springfield MO 65807-3665. Family is nearby. John & Fujii RODRIGUEZ may have scheduling problems for NWSA33, since she plans another visit to Japan in the spring. Irving & Fran LESSIN tried moving to assisted living in Rancho Mirage but gave it up to return to their home in Palm Springs CA. Need a new plan. Tom & Debbie DONALDSON have dropped the hook in Vail, AZ, where the humidity is a lot lower than it was in Bay Saint Louis MS. ICEBREAKER POLAR SEA TO DEEPFREEZE The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker POLAR SEA departed from Seattle for Operation DEEPFREEZE, a five-month mission in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program. The mission requires the escort of a fuel tanker and a container ship through the ice to re-supply the McMurdo Station, which is the primary U.S. science and logistics hub for Antarctic research efforts. OCEAN STATION SHIPS REUNION 13-16 May in Reno NV at Harrah’s, this reunion is open to all crewmembers of 311, 327 and 378 vessels, plus PF and WDE ships that made Ocean Station Weather Patrols between 1946 and 1974. Coordinator is RMC Doak Walker, Tel 906.789.2579, email doak17@gci.net, or www.255wpg.org. PACIFIC AVIATION MUSEUM The first phase of the museum on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor HI was scheduled to open on 07 December, the65th anniversary of the Japanese attack. It will be designed to tell the story of military aviation in the Pacific. Restoration of hangars 27, 54 and 79 of the former Naval Air Station, as well as the control tower, is planned. More Info: www.pacificaviationmuseum.org. MCPON HALL AT GREAT LAKES NTC Check out the new memorabilia and photos of nine of our MCPONs. On 13 January, 1967, GMCM Delbert D. Black USN became our first Senior Enlisted Advisor of the NAVY.. .. .. a title that was soon changed to Master Chief Petty Officer of the NAVY. NAVY/MARINE CORPS RADIO NEWS The Naval Media Center began “podcasting” NAVY/MARINE CORPS Radio News and NAVY Vidbits. Podcasting is a video or voice file that can be downloaded from the Internet to play on portable devices and PCs. A two-minute recap of current events for and about the NAVY and MARINE CORPS is one feature. NAVY Vidbits consists of 30-second messages from the CNO and items of interest to our NAVY community. Go to www.navy.mil. LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO SERVICE MEMBERS The George Mason University School of Law provides free civil legal assistance through their Clinic For Legal Assistance to Servicemembers. The school plans to export their model to Missouri, establishing a pro bono legal services program there for service members. It may expand even further. USAF MEMORIAL DEDICATED IN D.C. On 14 October, 2006, the long-awaited USAF Memorial was dedicated near a spot familiar to all of us—the former location of the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Arlington Annex and, during WWII, the old Barracks K. The memorial’s centerpiece is a constellation of three stainless-steel spires, which represent a precision flying maneuver known as the “bomb burst.” DIGITAL TEEVEE IS COMING Are you getting ready? Congress passed a law called the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act, which requires broadcasters to switch from analog to digital signals by 17 Feb 2009. The FCC has set up a Web site for info: (www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html). HURRICANE FORMATION RESEARCH U.S. and French researchers have launched large balloons from Niger into the stratosphere for dropsonde observations, which augmented existing data on 2006 Atlantic hurricane formation. Each balloon was rigged with an NCAR-designed gondola storing 35 dropsondes for release twice a day, while drifting in light easterlies at about 70,000 feet toward the Caribbean. Scientists controlled the process from an operations center in Paris. OCEAN DATA BUOYS REACH 500 An historic milestone has been reached. The Integrated Ocean Observing System has now processed 500 observations at their Data Assembly Center located on Stennis Space Center. The DAC ensures that consistent, high-quality marine wx and ocean observations collected by IOOS observing subsystem elements are disseminated. NATIONAL ARCHIVES PROGRAM RDML Tim McGee USN and Dr. Kenneth Thibodeau signed an agreement between the Naval METOC Command and the National Archives and Records Administration. This will permit establishment of one the agency’s first electronic data repositories within NAVOCEANO. “I am delighted to be a part of this exciting new project to preserve our nation’s history and make it more accessible to future generations,” McGee said.
President…….….…Bob Freeman POTCHAP CALENDAR
Remember 29 Aug 2005 and
Hurricane Katrina We must recalibrate our brains in order to recall the start of this reporting quarter—thinking ‘way back to July and the heat of summer. As soon as the quarterly chatter was on its way to Editor Charlie Jordan, Marge and I headed for our annual family reunion in the cooler Adirondacks. Many people were on the road and enjoying summer. Al & Helen Atwell paid a visit from Florida while en route to Annapolis and high school reunion in late July. Thanks to Jim & Rosalie Romano, plans suddenly jelled and PotChap people were able to make up our previously skipped picnic & pool party at their home in Pomfret MD. The 6th of August was a typical summer day, so a good crowd thoroughly enjoyed the pool as well as the great potluck. Attendees: Tom BERKERIDGE & Guest, Walt & Alice COTTRELL, Don & Marge CRUSE, Glen & Anne DRUMMOND, Ike & Fran FISHER, Bob FREEMAN, Leo HORTCH, Bill & Laverne KING, Elroy & Patricia MCLEOD, Lew & Ruth PITTELL, Vince & Robby ROPER, (Hosts) Jim & Rosalie ROMANO, and Peter & Marsha WEIGAND. As usual, we had no active-duty attendees. An effort was made to brief everyone on Pittsburgh happenings with emphasis on the big changes taking place in our METOC community. Some factual info was available on NWSA33/Everett, which is being planned for May 2007. Again, our sincerest thanks go to Tom & Mary Ann Miovas for doing all the #32 reunion planning & execution in Pittsburgh. We are still amazed! In reaction to the Romano plans to sell out in Pomfret and relocate, two members stepped forward and offered their homes for this event in 2007. PotChap lost Dick & Marsha Pritchard to Southeast Chapter, which adds to other recent losses (Smiths, Zahnles and Plantes).
NEW
1800 COMMANDERS SELECTED Pursuing a goal that was recommended by John & Fujii Rodriguez, and one result of encountering them at NWSA31/Branson, this writer and Chief of Staff shoved off for Europe in late August. Our river cruise was just as great as had been recommended. The Main-Danube Canal surely is an engineering feat that must be seen to be appreciated. We flew back to IAD from Budapest on Labor Day. The next agenda item was PotChap Crab Feast on 9 Sept. Once again the gods smiled on us. It was a gorgeous day in Stafford County VA. Crabs were great. Potluck was just about sensational. Due to our Hydrilla invasion there was no boating or swimming, however. Some members were out of town or attending the NAVY football game in Annapolis. Attendees: Glen & Anne DRUMMOND, Ike & Fran FISHER, Hazel HUDOCK with Steve & Wendy, Chuck & Murice KINCANNON, Elroy & Pat MCLEOD, Don & Marge CRUSE with David, LeAnn & Brian lending a hand. Additional information was available on NWSA33 reunion planning with dates firmed 16-20 May, 2007 in Everett WA. We will muster in the Holiday Inn and hope to tour the home-ported CVN. The effects of TS ERNESTO were discussed; and storm damage along Aquia Creek was quite evident to our guests….Next social event will be D/M Rosecroft. News from Elsie Taylor in hot & dusty Fallbrook CA indicates that farming remains her passion—she grows potted trees such as mimosa & jacaranda from seed—is surrounded by her cats, wild birds, quail & peacocks. She corresponds with Betty Wintersteen, among others. We note with pleasure that Bob Lawson has joined the San Diego Chapter of the Marine Technology Society. And we hear scuttlebutt about the potential year-end retirement of Fay Crossley from Nat’l Wea Svc. In Gulfport MS there was a change of command at the Professional Development Center (NMOPDC). CDR James Berdeguez USN was relieved by CDR Richard Jefferies USN. On the evening of 12 Sept PotChap lost a strong supporter when Tom “Skip” Cline died from a sudden heart attack. He was interred 9/21 in Glen Haven Memorial Park, Glen Burnie MD, where he rejoined “KC.” FRA Branch 212 and VFW Post 160 provided hospitality. Marc Cline spoke at length on his brother’s younger years, and read the poem which is reprinted below, “The Dash.” A potential new member at the ceremony was LCDR Mike Krieger, a recently retired METOC LDO who is now employed by BAE Systems. Ron Fauquet works for that outfit too. Mike was invited to the ceremony by Audie Hudnell, an old friend and shipmate. Audie’s wife, Angie, has recently distributed the following: “The Washington DC “Walk With Us To Cure Lupus” will take place on Saturday, 28 Oct on the National Mall. Our goal is to raise at least $300k. Please join our team, “Angie’s Angels.” All proceeds go to Alliance for Lupus Research, so please make checks payable to the alliance and mail to Angie Hudnell.” For the information of readers, Angie was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) 33 years ago and has undergone eleven surgeries to help her cope with this autoimmune disease. Tom Berkeridge has gone cruising in the eastern Med, to be followed by a visit to England. Jim & Rosalie Romano are traveling in CO with plans to attend the annual RAF Chicksands reunion in San Antonio TX in mid-October. Don & Marge Cruse will also attend. Jim & Gerri Langemo have been doing their usual world travels, with trips to Alaska’s North Slope & Prudhoe Bay, Norway, and then to check on part of their family in Georgia. On their agenda: Brazil and then more family in NY. Home for Xmas in MN. Hawaii has seen Bill & Laverne King cruising around the islands from their temporary base in the Hickam AFB BOQ. A look-back at 1960-63 tour of duty on O’ahu provided a drastic contrast to 2006, especially with rampant construction, traffic and confusion. PotChap has survived a recent nor’easter which clobbered the coast with torrential rains, high tides, and associated tribulations. We wish all hands a Happy Halloween, a festive Thanksgiving, and a Merry Xmas.
WELFARE CONCERNS
THE
DASH
I read of a man who stood
to speak DEMAND FOR NATURAL GAS Your home is one of 63,000,000 in the USA that uses natural gas. Add to that five million businesses, 205,000 factories, and 2,500 electric power plants. This means that natural gas meets about 25% of our energy needs - and is even used in the production of renewable fuels such as ethanol. It’s no wonder that the market price of natural gas fluctuates. USS INTREPID (CV-11) REHAB SKED
Visitors to NYC be
prepared for these changes: Have you ever gotten an email that is a petition? It states a position and asks you to add your name and address and to forward it to ten or fifteen people or even your entire address book. The email can be forwarded on and on, and can collect thousands of names and email addresses. A FACT! The completed petition is actually worth a couple of bucks to a professional spammer because of the wealth of valid names and email addresses. If you want to support the petition, just send it as your own personal letter to the intended recipient. Your position carries a lot more weight as a personal letter than it would as a laundry list of email. MCPON JOE R. CAMPA, JR. When Command Master Chief (SW/FMF) Joe Campa became the 11th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, he shattered a few barriers. He’s the first Hispanic-American to serve as the Navy’s senior enlisted advisor; and he’s also the first hospital corpsman to hold the post. Campa is one of the first three master chiefs to graduate from the Naval War College, earning a masters’ degree in national security and strategic studies, in addition to the BS degree he holds from Excelsior College. He joined the Navy in 1980. (from Naval Affairs) NATIONAL ARCHIVES PROGRAM CNMOC, RDML Tim McGee USN and Dr. Kenneth Thibodeau signed an agreement that will establish an Electronic Records Archive (ERA) in NAVOCEANO on Stennis Space Center. It will be part of the National Archives and Records Administration ERA Program. Our nation needs secure, large-scale storage facilities such as this. Ocean Explored Robert Ballard Immersion Presents is an after-school science education program founded by Dr. Bob Ballard. NOAA and Immersion Presents have launched oceanslive.org, a marine science portal that offers live video and special content to educate people of all ages about the ocean, including national marine sanctuaries. TWO-YEAR INTERNSHIPS The Navy is offering both two-year internships and work experience for college students. The internships are available through the Navy Career Intern Program. The Student Career Experience Program is a planned career development program that integrates classroom theory with related, paid work experience with a Navy organization. The Student Temporary Education Program provides temporary, paid employment opportunities to students while they complete their education. Upon successful completion of either program, participants may be eligible for permanent placement. For more info, email jobs.navo@navy.milSource: Aerograph, August 2006 POTCHAP CALENDAR
24 Aug Lone Star Lunch Bunch (every 4th Thurs) (Kincannon) This being our post-reunion issue with large quantities of Pittsburgh info to pass on to our members, we’ll shorten this quarterly column. First of all, we offer our heartiest congratulations to Tom & Mary Ann Miovas, who organized and carried out another great NWSA annual reunion—this one in Pittsburgh, where they both grew up. Along with our congrats, we send sincere thanks for everything. Tom Miovas also relinquished the NWSA President’s gavel during the reunion proceedings, permitting Peter Weigand to assume the conn. He knows that he has our fullest support for the coming year. PotChap was well represented in Pittsburgh, as one would expect. In addition to Tom & Mary Ann, we had these faithful members enjoying the festivities: Don & Marge Cruse, Bob & Richie Freeman, Will & Ella Gould, Mac & Pat McLeod, Lew & Ruth Pittell, Jim & Rosalie Romano, Ken & Joyce Smith, Dave & Harriet Sokol, and Peter & Marcia Weigand. Reflected above are new PotChap officers for 2006-2007 who assumed office 01 July. Taking over the best job in the house, Immediate Past Prez Tom Beasley can look back on a year that was full of personal mishaps and family challenges. Tom can look forward to heading our Nominating Committee next year, so he isn’t home free. We welcome a new officer to our bridge, Tom Berkeridge, who will work with two fleet-ups. We regret to report that Mac McLeod has had to assume the duties of Secretary-Treasurer because of Pat’s health. Thank you for your long tenure and valuable contributions during Branson and everything, Pat. Our spring PotChap picnic was deferred to the Pittsburgh reunion. Hence, that item remains in limbo pending a decision by our new bridge. Early in this reporting quarter many of us enjoyed the wedding of Peter & Marcia Weigand in Forestville MD and the reception in Largo. As events sometimes will do, a few days later several PotChap members were joining mourners in the USNA St. Andrew Chapel to remember Don Jones. He was inurned in the USNA Columbarium which faces College Creek near the Severn River. His son and daughter planned the lovely program, including a follow-on reception in the O&F Club. THE NMOC NEWS This is a biweekly internal electronic newsletter published by the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command’s PAO. The PAO may be contacted at 228.688.4384, DSN 828.4384, email Cathy.Willis@Navy.Mil. Cathy is located on Stennis Space Center, MS.Taking follow-up action on the Ray Echols item in The Aerograph resulted in some daisy chain effects. My letter to Ray & Linda went via Rob Josephs, who placed his letter in this newsletter after encountering Linda. Now we have learned why members of Class 20, Primary Aerog School Lakehurst, completely lost track of classmate Ray. From Lakehurst he reported aboard USS SARATOGA (CV-3) for duty in early 1941; but at the end of WW2 he went Air Force. Later he retired from the National Weather Service, now lives in Arizona, and is in poor health. One more fillip must be added to this tale. Another Class 20 member who now lives in Sierra Vista AZ, Vic Milford, was visited by Ray & Linda. They agreed that the last time they had met was in San Pedro CA in 1941. My thanks to Rob for helping us engineer that Sierra Vista meeting (which Vic and I enjoyed reminiscing about while in Pittsburgh). On that reminiscing subject, my First Mate accompanied me to Lancaster PA for a visit with Betty Wintersteen, during which there was considerable reminiscing about her “twilight tour” at NAS Lakehurst. After retiring she tried school teaching in NJ, but the thrill just wasn’t there. Incidentally, Betty will celebrate her 92nd birthday in August. She was in the second group of WAVES to study weather at MIT. Rusty Franco frequently travels from home base in Altoona PA. After a July family reunion she will visit family in Surrey, UK. Lorraine d’Entremont keeps the home fires burning in East Hartford CT, and still has three of her four children nearby. Daughter Anne is married in MN. Luci Palmer says that her kids are living in Tustin CA (Patty) and Florida (Scott). Robby Roper is sporting her new hip, after replacement surgery 06 Apr in the Anne Arundel General Hospital. On 05 June Dottie Steranka was in Fair Oaks Hospital for knee replacement. Both of these members are up and about, and ready for another chapter picnic. www.nowcoast.noaa.gov NOAA has launched an updated version of their nowCOAST Web portal in a continuing effort to improve maritime safety and commerce through the monitoring of physical changes in weather, oceanographic and river conditions. NowCOAST is a Web mapping portal providing coastal communities with real-time observations and forecasts. The new version allows users to view real-time surface observations “on-the-map,” along with the latest GOES satellite cloud imagery and National Weather Service radar images. (Marine Technology Society news) Former Oceanographer of the NAVY, RADM Richard West USN(Ret) is serving as president of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE). Former Deputy Oceanographer of the NAVY, CAPT Jeff Bacon, USN(Ret) has relocated to Idaho, but we continue to see his cartoons in Navy Times as well as in The Lone Sailor periodical from our Navy Memorial in WashDC. It is satisfying to note in the latter that NWSA members are supporting the Navy Memorial financially (Ed Chase & Tom Piwowar, are two examples).Email soaks up a lot of our time but it pays dividends also. It has been interesting to read AGC Jill Hanley USN email while she was steaming in deployed USS REAGAN (CVN-76). Her pride in the ship stands out. One other instance where email came into use was in relocating George Bellino in Calif. Many of us served with his father. Our local press wasted a lot of ink on the never-ending trial of confessed al-Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui. One of our young Aerology LDOs was called to testify. LT Nancy McKeown USN escaped death in the Pentagon fire of 11 Sept. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NAVAL AVIATION According to the Pensacola news media, the museum has a new president to run the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. Retired VADM Gerald L. Hoewing will fill the shoes of VADM John Fetterman USN(Ret), who died shortly after resigning from the post. We best remember Hoewing as the boss of NavPersCom in Millington TN, but he had another hat as DCNO (Manpower). Fleet Reserve Assn Branch 178 in Monterey conferred a 55-year continuous membership pin on Frank Ivie—whom we should also congratulate for reaching his 89th birthday on 28 May. Congratulations also go to newly-selected Chief Aerographer’s Mates in the Naval Reserve: Tiffany Frere, Anthony Infante and Michael Smith. We also recognize that CAPT Jessie Carman USN, who heads the Oceanography Department at USNA, was selected as a permanent military professor (Physics). AGC Patrick Smaldore USNR (Ret) has been presented an award by the local press in recognition of his twenty years of community involvement. He was just relieved as President of our Arlington County Civic Assn. When Betty Jepson learned that Earl Kerr was involved in NWSA33 planning, she was reminded of some good London UK duty with Earl & Lynne. There was some terrible news from Will & Ella Gould just before everyone shoved off for Pittsburgh. Their young son had an accident at work, which resulted in a broken leg. NWSA officer biographies are still being added to our association archives. Priority goes to those who have served as president. Anyone who has not contributed is asked to do so. In that same vein, all NWSA members are being asked to assist with the organization of our new LONE STAR REGIONAL CHAPTER. Please encourage your friends & shipmates who reside in Texas to pass the word. There will be an organizational meeting in the Nimitz Museum library in Fredericksburg TX at noon on 21 October. We hope to muster more than the minimum number of plank owners. PROFESSIONAL CALENDAR
7-10 Sept: Tailhook Assn Reunion, Reno NV. (tailhook.org)
From: Donald A. Cruse Source: Aerograph, May 2006 POTCHAP CALENDAR 14 May Mothers’ Day 20 May
Armed Forces Day ANOTHER LONE SAILOR STATUE The Navy Memorial in WashDC
announced the pending dedication of the newest Lone Sailor statue in Fort
Lauderdale FL. Located on The Riverwalk, the statue will be located close
to Fort Lauderdale’s historic district, a magnet for tourists. The Navy
League carried the ball on this project, with a lot of help from U.S.
Congressman George Wortley. This will make nine such statues erected. NOTED IN THE PRESS AGC(AW) Anthony Davis USN
retired after 24 years of naval service. He was CPOIC NavLantMETOCDet on
NAS Whiting Field FL until the 03 February retirement ceremony. WELFARE CONCERNS Gladys Beasley is off
the Binnacle List as arm heals. POTOMAC CHAPTER R E U N I O N S Escort Carrier Sailors and
Airmen Assoc (ECSAA) annual reunion in Denver 09-14 September POTOMAC CHAPTER | ||||
