** NWSA Airship Chapter **
Lakehurst, NJ
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President Bill Suydam
Vice President Al Parisi
Secretary/Treasurer Gene Merrill
Reporter Pam Elliott
Chaplain Marie Garrity
Sunshine Ann Bucher
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Click Photo to Enlarge
Source: Aerograph February 2012
President Rod Elliott
Vice President Al Parisi
Sec/Treasurer Gene Merrill
Reporter Pam Elliott
Chaplain Marie Garrity
Sunshine Ann Bucher
December, the Airship Chapter gathered for the Annual Christmas Luncheon at the Captain’s Inn. Attendees included: Rod and Pam Elliott, Al and Jane Parisi, Gene and Carol Merrill, Charlie and Carol Moffett, Bob and Lucille Wiorek, Bill and Joan Suydam, Norm Macomber and Lois Wanzor. Carol Merrill took pictures at the Christmas tree of each couple or individual. President Rod Elliott held a brief meeting including the minutes and treasurers report of the previous meeting. The April Luncheon will be at the Captain’s Inn.
Gene & Carol Merrill: Happy New Year - from Freezing New Jersey.
The Merrill's' recently celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary by having a big party which was attended by family, friends and Airship Chapter shipmates. There were about 90 people in attendance as they renewed their wedding vows (above). The matron of honor and best man, Maureen and Jim Cino, were the same ones they had 40 years ago. The vows were administered by Rev. Richard Edwards. He is a former AG and a member of the Airship Chapter. From all indications the party was a huge success. The family has recently had a medical set back as Carol's youngest son, Dr. Richard Hader, had a brain tumor removed and is currently undergoing Chemo and Radiation therapy. They are asking for yours prayers as he goes under this ordeal.May the year 2012 be a Happy & Healthy year for everyone. God Bless our Military and keep them out of harm’s way.Bill & Joan Suydam: Their daughter, Andrea McGahan has a new job as a music director and her husband has been offered retirement from his company. They are so proud of her.
Henry and Bobbie Losch: They took a drive to TX to visit family and friends, and spent time with daughter Debbie and granddaughter. Always good to see them since they are so far away. Mike & Marie Garrity: Mike & I spent a beautiful and wonderful Christmas Holiday with family. The weather had been so warm and welcoming for traveling from home to home.
Our family has grown so much that we were able to visit with each & everyone. I really became spoiled as after eating at each place, they sent us home with food to last us, no cooking for me. I was so proud of how my daughters' proved they were such good cooks. This coming Saturday, January 7th. Mike & I will celebrate our (58th.) wedding anniversary. Praise God for all his blessings. We are both struggling with one problem or another, but then, who isn't? We have each other and our family to rely on in times of need. We look forward to this New Year asking God to continue his blessings upon us. Hoping whoever reads this will have a Happy, Healthy, New Year." And so from our home to yours we wish God's love and blessing on one and all.
Joann and Ray Bierly: Joann was delighted to keep secrets during the month of December. Ray turned 75 on the 14th so Lisa and Bill, daughter and son-in-law, flew down for a surprise visit giving both the I-Phone for Christmas. Then on the 18th Joann picked up Grant, 13 year old grandson for another surprise that lasted 9 days. Grant did not think that Pop Pop was surprised; he was in shock. We then drove to Savannah for three days to meet up with Jeff, Suzan and Brittany, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Our treat from them was the hotel room. As you can see we had a very active month from the 8th on and are now at home resting up. To all our friends may we all DELVE INTO 2012. The Mayan Calendar may be accurate. I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday season, and a very Happy New Year.
Frank McGayhey Jr: My mother, Inez 'Toddy' McGayhey came home 9 December after 4 days in the hospital and almost 7 weeks in rehab - her first overnight hospital stay since 1949. She has doctors, a nurse practitioner, a podiatrist, physical and occupational therapists, and a hearing specialist who has all come or is scheduled to come to the house. It is a wonderful country...if she needs blood work, x-rays done, her toenails clipped, her hearing aides adjusted or her teeth examined, the various professionals come to the house. She also has a full time live in health aide appropriately named Patience. Her cousin Kathryn visits once or twice a day and at least one or more of my family is there every day. Tomorrow she will have a visit from some volunteers at her church who visit the home bound on a regular basis. She reads the newspaper every day (no Kindle for her) and recently pointed out the obituary of Patrick Reabold, the son of AGC Del Reabold. Mr. Reabold was at Lakehurst with my father. It will not be long before she reminds me to send an email out announcing the Methodist Church suppers that she and a number of members of the Airship Chapter have celebrated together for many years.
Bob and Lucille Wiorek: We have had a fairly good year. Lucille has not had any fluid buildup in her lungs. She still uses oxygen at night and as needed during the day. Bob is still getting Vigamox injections in his right eye every 6-8 weeks. He is also having trouble with his right knee again. Our son and his wife came for a visit in July and did some work in our home that was needed. Our daughter Cyndi lives 5 miles away and she helps when she can. Hate getting old. The big news is our daughter Caitlyn is getting married in May. Her fiancé is a navy pilot and we love him dearly. We also have a new great granddaughter, Isla Rose, born Dec 5th. She is our son’s grandchild. Happy Holidays to all.
Rod and Pam Elliott: We are busy as always: Rod reading books faster than authors can write them and Pam busy with her credit union duties and water exercise at the Y and cardiac rehab maintenance. We left home 21 December for a stopover in VA Beach to visit Hannah and her dad on our way to daughter Kristie’s for Christmas. Hannah and Dick followed us so our family was all together for a wonderful dinner and gift giving. We left them on 1 Jan. to head for Orlando for 3 weeks, will visit Pam’s brother in Jax and sister outside of Pensacola. Head north to Kristie’s then VA Beach for Hannah’s dance completion. Then time to head to Jersey, snow or no snow.
WISHING ALL A SAFE AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Submitted by Pam Elliott
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Source: Aerograph November 2011
President Rod Elliott
Vice President Al Parisi
Secretary/Treas Gene Merrill
Reporter Pam Elliott
Chaplain Marie Garrity
Sunshine Ann Bucher
The Airship Chapter had their Annual Picnic at the home of Charlie and Carol Moffett in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island in August. It was a small gathering. President Rod Elliott began the meeting with thanking all for attending and thanking the Moffett's for their hospitality. Gene Merrill presented the secretary/treasurer's reports. The meeting was adjourned. In the absence of Chaplain Marie Garrity, Pam Elliott offered the blessing prior to our meal. Attendees included: Bill and Joan Suydam, Al and Jane Parisi, Gene and Carol Merrill, Rod and Pam Elliott, Henry and Bobbie Losch, Charlie and Carol Moffett. As usual with a group of AG's, the rain began just as we were finishing our meal. Goes without saying! The deck had an awning so we were protected. We wished our sick shipmates better health and hope to see them at the December Christmas meeting.
Ray and JoAnn Bierly, Hello Everyone. The light is changing and the days are getting cooler 80/60. Can’t say that there is much happening here other than our volunteering at the hospital. Joann just chaired the Celebration of Life Service at the hospital on Saturday, October 1st and Ray still serves as Treasurer for the Auxiliary among other things. We are doing well and extend to everyone our hope for a Glorious Holiday Season.
Mike and Marie Garrity, we sure missed being with our shipmates on Long Beach Island for the picnic. Mike and I continue to have health issues. The one thing we still have is our sense of humor which keeps us going. Over all, life is good as our family is doing fine with the new great grand babies & thank God they are all working! But I know that, "God is good, All the time, All the time, God is good".
Gene & Carol Merrill, have just returned from our New England & Canada Cruise. We discovered Carol's youngest son has health issues. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Norm Macomber, spent nearly two weeks during August in the Pine Tree State of Maine. He visited his sister and brother-in-law, who still live in the homestead where he grew up. He also spent a week in a lake cottage. As part of his 83rd birthday celebration, Norm had a chance to participate in the Wings of Freedom Tour sponsored by the Collings Foundation based in Massachusetts. The group operates three WWII planes that they make available for display and flights - a B-24 Liberator, a B-17 Flying Fortress, and a P-51 Mustang. Norm had a 30 minute flight in the B-17 and enjoyed the experience.
Toddy McGayhey, there was a Family Reunion September 17th in Forked River which was a good time and all enjoyed visiting with the many generations in attendance. The Church Dinner some AG folk attend was October 6th. Toddy was joined by her son Frank and his son Tommy, along with Toddy's cousin Catherine who is staying with her and LR Upton's nephew and relation to Toddy, Walter and Linda Applegate. Others were: Henry and Bobbi Losch and Rod and Pam Elliott. This is always a nice function which allows shipmates to stay in touch. We missed the Merrill's as they were cruising.
Henry and Bobbi Losch, Bobbi is anxiously awaiting her birthday, her brother Ray and his wife Connie are coming to help her celebrate. They are busy preparing for a trip to TX to visit daughter Debbie, granddaughter Kaitlyn and other relatives.
Rod and Pam Elliott continue to keep busy, Pam attends credit union conferences while Rod joins her. They have slowed the traveling since May, except for trips to VA Beach to see granddaughter Hannah. They will begin traveling in December, January and February.
Happy New Year's and Good Health to All
Submitted by Reporter Pam Elliott
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Source: Aerograph May 2011
The Airship Chapter held their Spring meeting on April the 5th at the Captains Inn in Forked River. As usual the food was great and the meeting of old friends after a long winter was great fun.
President Bill Suydam began the meeting after an opening greeting and called upon Gene Merrill to give the secretary/treasurer report which was followed by Chaplain Marie Garrity's wonderful and thoughtful blessing prior to the usual great meal we have at the Inn.
Elections were held and Rod Elliott was elected President with all others elected and appointed members maintaining their present positions.
Attending the meeting were Bill & Joan Suydam, Al & Jane Parisi, Gene & Carol Merrill, Rod & Pam Elliott, Mike & Marie Garrity, Henry & Bobbie Losch, Charlie & Carol Moffett and grandson Jacob, Bob & Lucille Wioreck, Norm MacComber, Lois Wanzor, Ann Bucher, and Rich & Naomi Edwards.
Rich brought a laptop with a DVD that showed a launching of a radiosonde in high winds at Kodiak, Alaska which brought back memories for some of us.
Toddy McGayhey was absent due to having physical therapy because of a leg and foot problems. Marty Bonk sent and E-mail saying he and Bea are moving to New Smyrna Beach, Fl. in April. John & Mary Migaleddi sent their regards. John says he is doing well, but dialysis treatment takes three days out of the week. Gene & Carol made their usual winter trip to Hawaii for seven weeks this winter missing out on all of the wonderful snow and stormy weather here in the East. However, they had a little excitement because they were in Waikiki Beach on March 11th when the Tsunami hit the Island. The forecast for a six foot rise caused some anxiety but it actually was only about a foot where they were although some parts of the island did have some damage.
Charlie & Carol Moffett offered their beautiful home in Beach Haven for the summer meeting which will be held in August, Charlie really knows how to use that grill.
Ray & Joann Bierley continue to voluntarily serve their local hospital in Florida, where Ray serves on the Hospital Auxiliary Board as Treasurer, which keeps him busy five days a week. On Sunday Ray works in Gift Shop and Joann spends the day visiting patients. As Joann says "keeps us out of trouble." They are planning to come north in the Fall to attend a reunion.
News from Mike & Marie Garrity - As time moves on our family continues to grow. Come July we will add yet (2) more great-grand children into our fold. What a blessing God has given to Mike & I. We celebrated (57) years of marriage and we relish the love that continues to come to us thru our family. I am still involved with our church & we are still getting acquainted with our new Pastor. The weather patterns lately keep everyone wondering when things will get back to being normal. Here on the East coast we have had more than our share of rain & even snow. The wettest & coldest winter I can remember. Even though the price of gas & the economy in general, is a burden to everyone, we count our blessings & thank God who keeps us together as a family. God is good. From our home to yours, we send our love & best wishes to each of you who read the AEROGRAPH.
Pam Eillott was a little under the weather at the time this article was written so Gene & Carol Merrill subtitled as the Chapter reporters.
Submitted by AGCS Gene Merrill USN RET
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