NWSA - FROM THE SECRETARY/TREASURER’S DESK

FROM THE SECRETARY/TREASURER’S DESK
Elizabeth O’Brien

EMAIL ADDRESS
NWSASecTreas@panhandle.rr.com

Source: Aerograph, February, 2010

Well, here we are in 2010. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I am a big Christmas nut so I thoroughly enjoyed all the celebrations. Now that we are in 2010 I’ve heard several comments on TV about what you will call the New Year. Will you say Two Thousand and Ten, Twenty-Ten, or Two-K Ten? Does it really matter? We’re beginning a new decade regardless of how you say it. I hope that the new decade will bring lots of new and/or renewal of memberships in the Naval Weather Service Association. Also, I hope to see the increase of attendance at the annual reunions, beginning with the Dallas Reunion. Our total membership to date is 579 and of that number 384 are life members. I hope to see you at the Dallas Reunion in April. The Lone Star Chapter is going to great lengths to make this a great reunion. So, dust off those cowboy hats and boots and travel on down to the big state of Texas . Y’all Come Now, You Hear!

NWSA Secretary/Treasurer Libby O’Brien

NEWEST LIFE MEMBERS

AGC GERALD L. SHULTZ, USN RET AG1 JAMES MOORE, USN RET AG2 ANTHONY J. DEPRIMA

SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

TAR HEEL CHAPTER CDR DONALD CARVER, USN RET AGCM WILLIAM WILSON, USN RET

AGCS PAUL LAZARUS, USN RET AG3 DAVID CLARK, USN REL

POSTAGE FUND DONATIONS

AGCS KENNETH BODEN, USN RET AGCS CAMILO MARTINEZ , USN RET

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

(New or Dues expired more than a year ago)

AGCS PHILLIP NEWKIRK, USN RET AG1 JESSE LOFTON, USN RET AG2 EDWARD (LARRY) DOUGHERTY, USN REL

HISTORY OF THE BELLINGER LIST
(Many have asked for this)

In March 1967 AGC Lloyd Bellinger USN(Ret) disseminated a roster of “Navy Weather Guessers.” That initial roster contained seventy-two names. The primary source was Lloyd’s personal address book but some also resulted from advertising he had placed in NAVAL AFFAIRS and NAVY TIMES. Once the grapevine was activated and the word was passed, his roster increased to 125 names and addresses the following year.

Each year Lloyd distributed updated rosters, until it finally became necessary to have them printed commercially. Of course, the annual costs for postage likewise increased. When the staff at NATTU Lakehurst prepared for a reunion of Aerographer’s Mates, the 15-16 August, 1975 event was made possible through the use of Lloyd’s roster. It was a successful reunion during which there was a decision to convene a follow-on event at Pensacola in 1976.

Attendees at the 5, 6, and 7 August Pensacola reunion dubbed that event a “Bicentennial Reunion” and they voted to establish the Naval Weather Service Association with annual reunions. Lloyd Bellinger suggested his roster be adopted by the new association. Reproduction and distribution costs had become prohibitive for him since his roster had increased to hundreds of names and addresses. His suggestion was adopted. The “Bellinger List” was named.

The “Bellinger List” has demonstrated its importance to our association, progressing from a typewritten roster to various computerized formats maintained by a succession of association Secretaries. The list underpins our association. Each November an updated version is mailed or emailed to NWSA members, along with the quarterly newsletter, “The Aerograph.”

The History of the Bellinger List was compiled

by CDR Don Cruse USN RET

Source: Aerograph, November, 2009

Here we are at the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Gee, where has the time gone? This is going to be short and sweet since we have the Bellinger List going out with the November Aerograph. That means I have more to do and also more for Charlie. If I make this short, he will have that much less to do for the November Aerograph. Those members who have joined as Life Members since I became Secretary/Treasurer will be receiving their plaques around the middle of October. I hope you’ll be pleased with the new design. Our active member number to date is 484. I am so looking forward to Reunion #36 in Dallas next year. Hope everyone will try to attend. The Lone Star Chapter is putting in lots of hours to ensure we have a great time. So dust off your Cowboy Hat and Boots and join us in Dallas . I would like to take this time to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry and Joyous Christmas, and a Happy New Year. See you again in 2010.

Libby O’Brien

NEWEST LIFE MEMBER

AGC HAROLD E. WITSMAN, USN RET

SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

CAPT James & Gerry Langemo, USN RET CDR Marty Nemcosky, USN RETAG1(AW/SW) Dwight A. Koehn

POSTAGE FUND DONATIONS

AGCM Moon Mullin, USN RET

GIFT MEMBERSHIP DONATIONS

CDR Marty Nemcosky, USN RET CDR Don & Marge Cruse, USN RET

AGCM Moon & Nadine Mullen, USN RET Southeast Chapter, Jacksonville FL

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

(New or Dues expired more than a year ago)

CDR Ed Carlstead, USN RET LCDR Myron “Ed” Nelson, Jr USN RET LCDR Nick P. Jones, USN REL

LCDR Robert R. Bolles, USN RET LT Frederick J. Bergman, USN RET AGCM Joseph C. McGarr, USN RET

AGCS Stephen Turco, USN RET AGCS Frank M. Patrick, USN RET AGCS Willie Ray Sanders, USN RET

AGC Gary K. Titus, USN RET AG1(AW/SW) Dwight A. Koehn USN AG2 Thomas P. Horonzy, USN REL

AG3 Marvin Hungate, USN REL Mr. Dennis Paquin

Source: Aerograph, August, 2009

First, I would like to thank the Southeast Chapter for putting on a first-class reunion. If you were unable to attend, you missed a great time. I know Pat and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even though it rained every day. I enjoyed meeting new faces and being able to put names with faces that I have corresponded with since taking over this job. I especially appreciate all the kind words and words of encouragement that I received. This was my first time at taking minutes at the meetings and having to get them ready for the meetings that followed. It was rather hectic at times but thanks to my wonderful husband, who graciously stepped in and helped, I was able to get everything completed. I would like to ask those of you who have seasonal addresses, to please give me a heads up as to when you will be heading to your alternate location. I’m just trying to ensure you receive the Aerograph in a timely matter. Please note that there is a new member application on the back of the Aerograph. If you are renewing your membership, all I need is the top portion of the application. That keeps you from having to fill out information I already have on file. Again, I am enjoying the job of Secretary/Treasurer, and I continue to learn something new everyday. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I’m already looking forward to our next reunion in Dallas .

Minutes from Executive Board and General Meetings at Reunion #35 Jacksonville .
(See Aerograph)

NWSA Secretary/Treasurer Libby OBrien

NEWEST LIFE MEMBER

LCDR Dale Grages, USN RET

SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

CAPT Al & Helen Atwell, USN RET CAPT Rodger & Janet Langland, USNR CDR Harvey Smith, USN RET

LCDR Wayne & Betty Ledbetter, USN RET AGCM John & Faye Buzzanco, USN RET AGC Elroy McLeod, USN RET

AGCS Jim & Joan Futtner, USN RET AG1 Marvin & Helane Beachler, USN RET

COMPUTER FUND DONATIONS

AGCS Lloyd & Daisy Corbett, USN RET

GIFT MEMBERSHIP DONATIONS

CAPT Harry & Pat Nicholson, USN RET CDR Don & Marge Cruse, USN RET AGCM Bobby Frazier, USN RET

AGCM Moon & Nadine Mullen, USN RET AGCM Patrick & Libby O’Brien, USN RET AGCS Lloyd & Daisy Corbett, USN RET

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

(New or Dues expired more than a year ago)

AGCS(AW) Frank Andrews, USN RET AG1 Marvin Beachler, USN RET AG2 Gerald Burk, USN REL

AERM1C Alex Campbell, USNR REL AGCS Michael Evanick, USN RET AG2 Robert Flynn, USN REL

AGCS Robert W. Hicks, USN RET AG3 John T. McCann, USN REL AGC James E Nelson, USN RET

xAG3 Mollie Reese, USN REL xAG2 Dorothy B. Steranka, USN REL AGCM Joe Steranka, USN RET

Mr. Silverio M. Torio CAPT Jonathan White, USN AG1(AW/SW) Robert Vonggonthong, USN

CWO3 Walter Winfrey, USN RET xAG1 Gerald S. French, USN REL

NEW AND CORRECTED E-MAIL ADDRESSES
NEW & UPDATED MAILING ADDRESSES
(See Aerograph)

BIOGRAPHY

My name is Libby O’Brien and I’m your new secretary/treasurer. I have to thank my husband Patrick, better known to some as “Obie”. He asked if I would be interested in the job, and before I knew it, I was hit by the train at full speed.

In case you hear the name Elizabeth , that’s me also. Patrick is the only person who calls me Elizabeth but that’s okay, it could be worse.

I am originally from Pensacola FL , born and raised here, which is rare. Most folks are transplants, like my husband. I spent 33 1/2 years in federal civil service, retiring in 2005. All but a couple of those years were spent in Budget so I feel like I’m somewhat qualified to serve as your Secretary/Treasurer.

Pat and I will be married 14 years this Christmas, although we’ve been together since 1988. Just ask Pat and he’ll be happy to tell you we’ve been married for 75 years. In fact, my first date with Pat was at the 1986 NWSA reunion here in Pensacola . I have to thank Tom Miovas who gave Pat a choice of Rota, Rota, or Rota but finally gave him orders to Pensacola . And that was how it all began.

Pat and I have 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons between the two of us. We have mine and yours, but thank goodness no “Ours”! We’re much too old for “ours”.

Since Pat and I have been together, we have visited every state except Hawaii . That is on our schedule for a near future cruise. We enjoy traveling, golfing, boating, fishing, cruising and just being together. We have taken 6 cruises and have another one on schedule for early spring 2009.

I have been to several of the reunions and have made lots of friends. I look forward to serving as your Secretary/Treasurer. I’m sure I have a lot to learn but I know there are folks willing to help when I need them. Thanks for giving me this opportunity. I plan to serve you well and do the best job I can do. Please feel free to send me an e-mail at NWSASecTreas@panhandle.rr.com

Libby O’Brien

AGC JIM STONE, USNR RET, x-NWSA SECRETARY/TREASURER

`November, 2008

Read a parting LETTER from Click Here AGC JIM STONE, USNR RET,