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The year
2000 came and went with the battle over which year is the big millennium
still unresolved and the dire predictions of the end of the world and
crashes of all the computers coming about failed to materialize. The
computer gurus solved the Y2K problems and our social security checks
arrived on time and our big blue marble is still rotating.
Our meal at the Ristorante Pronto started off the year 2001 with President
Chuck Schluter at the helm for his third year and our guest speaker, our own
BG Marilyn Coffinger, speaking on Long Term Care, a subject getting more
important to each of us with the passing years. |
L-R Joyce Conway, Margo Rutherford and then Dan Conway;
President Chuck Schluter exiting pronto in his car (double-entendre
intentional)
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BG Marilyn Coffinger |
President Chuck Schluter at the helm
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Raymond Deane and his wife Lee have
volunteered to take on the Scholarship and JROTC program and have proposed
an ambitious increase that resulted from the smashing success of the Silent
Auction. With the demise of the West Valley Chapter, our Chapter will be
taking on part of the high schools in that area bringing our responsibility
up to 14 high schools.
With the announcement of the opening of the 50th Anniversary Account, Marie
Loos made the first generous donation to that account in memory of her
husband Billie Loos.
United Services Automobile Association (USAA) has arrived in the Valley.
President Chuck Schluter has been in contact with the point man, Col Jack Swonson,
USAF Ret. Jack is the Senior VP in charge of operations in Phoenix.
Hope is TOPS can hand-off some resumes that result in jobs.
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President Chuck Schluter and Jack Swonson
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| In April 2001, the Chapter added
the Arizona State Flag and the POW/MIA Flags with four new bases and four
new staffs with expenses partially offset with member donations.
President Chuck Schluter wanted a color guard formed to participate in the Memorial
Day Ceremonies. You can thank Peter and Cris Magadan for hauling these
flags, staffs, and bases and setting them up for each meeting. |
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LtCol Chuck Finch USAF Ret. was our
guest speaker at our February dinner meeting and now a new member. Chuck was
pilot of Air Force 1. Unfortunately I am unable to find a picture to insert
here. Chuck says he got the job because he was damn good and could roll the
747 wheels ever so gently on to the runway every time. I guess one has to be
that good to get the job of hauling the President of the United States
hither and yon. There is an old AF saying that says a pilot can roll those
wheels so that they just kiss the runway now and then, two in a row needs a
little luck, three in a row now that usually happens at the bar. Having been
an old AF jock with some experience in the little ones and some in the likes
of the B-52, I have rolled them on now and then and then some with a few
extra bounces and I guess that is why I never got to fly the President.
Great stories and if you missed this one, you should not have.
The year 2001 was a turning point in health care for veterans with the
passing of Tri Care for Life legislation. Our own Dan Conway led the fight
for passage and funding of this legislation as did TROA and 30 other
organization in the Military Coalition. Dan speaks at our April dinner
meeting on what we as individuals have to do prior to implementation on
October 1, 2001.
Guest Speakers at the dinner were Col John F. Dwan from TROA National and
Arizona Senator Tom Smith both of whom received flag groups from President
Chuck Schluter. Great turn out for the meeting and Senator Tom Smith is also
a new member of the Chapter.
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Dan Conway speaking at our April 1 meeting
Guest Speakers Col John F. Dwan from TROA
National and Arizona Senator Tom Smith at podium with President Charles
Schluter |
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Dan Conway is also shown with Congressman Jim
Kolbe breaking ground for the State Veterans Cemetery in Sierra Vista with
first interments scheduled for April 2002. Back to the
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May 6, 2001 was our third annual Golf Tournament with 10
participants and getting better every year. Roy "Tiger" Anderson defended
his championship again and again our President won the hat. Bernie Conway is
making plans for a game in the Fall.
Memorial Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona was impressive as
usual with a fast moving agenda including a fly over of Bi-Planes of the
Escadrille Lafayette'd, a parade of Color Guards, lots of patriotic music,
placement of Memorial Wreaths the legend of the White Doves and much more.
May 30, 2001 was the induction of the Inaugural Class of 2001 into the
Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. Among others, 26 Medal of Honor recipients
with Arizona ties along with 24 others were inducted. Elected officials
become eligible after they have been out of office for two years. Barry
Goldwater and Walter William "Bill" Thompson of the Chapter were inducted.
A very impressive ceremony.
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Bi-Planes of the Lafayette d' Escadrille
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| Remember Chuck Schluter wants a Color Guard, Chuck gets a
Color Guard. And it is probably the first Chapter Color Guard in the
state of Arizona.
Members were Raymond Deane "Commander" Tom Houser, Al Fueling and Chuck
Schluter, decked out with TROA fore & aft Caps, Bola Ties, White Shirts,
Blue Blazers, Gray Trousers and Black Shoes a real neat bunch of dudes and
one of the few groups who could keep step.
Dan Conway presented the TROA Memorial Wreath. Great job Guys! |
Raymond Deane "Commander" Tom Houser, Al
Fueling and Chuck Schluter |
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| June 2001 and the Chapter is going great guns. Medals went
to 14 third year JROTC students at a like number of high schools and 4 $500
scholarship were awarded. The driving force behind this program is Raymond
Deane shown here presenting a $500 scholarship to Matthew Rawlings. If there is
a spare buck anywhere in the Chapter, Raymond will grab it for the
Scholarship Fund. Mighty good work Raymond.
Matthew Rawlings and Erin Shannahan accompanied by their parents and Commander,
LTCDR Terry Tassin were guests for the June Dinner. Terry became a member of
the Chapter and has become a real workhorse as you will see.
The Board of Directors established a procedure in July to recognize members
of the Arizona Chapter who have performed exceptional service to the Chapter
and National. Those selected will receive awards at the regular Annual
Meeting in November.
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| President Franklin D. Roosevelt named December 7, 1941as A
Day in Infamy with the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Terrorists
destruction of the World Trade Center Twin Towers and the attack on the
Pentagon on September 11, 2001by taking over commercial airline flights and
crashing them into the buildings will certainly be remembered in the same
way. The bravery of the passengers of another hijacked flight will
long be remembered as they prevented the terrorists from their act and
losing their lives in the effort. The scenes of the airliners crashing
into the towers are etched in our minds forever as is the tumbling down of
the towers as they collapsed upon themselves. A new age is upon us and
will be here for a long time. Our President has declared war upon
terrorists and those who support, fund or give them safe haven. I hope we
don't soon forget. |
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My want ad in the Sentinel paid off (It pays to advertise).
Roger and Linda Yeager became members in October and volunteered to take
over as the Sentinel editor and the office of Secretary. |
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| The Arizona Chapter had it's first Fall Golf Tournament
November 13, 2001 with 13 participants. As usual "Tiger" Roy
Anderson was the Champion again, but we had a change in the "Golfing Fool
Hat" winner who was Dan Conway. Congratulations! Many thanks to
Bernie Conway who sets it all up.
The Chapter Annual Meeting was held on November 15, 2001. Chet Baumer read
the proposed slate of Officers and with no other nominations from the floor
the voting process duly elected the slate.
Dan Conway was elected President of the Arizona Council of Chapters.
The Christmas Party was held December 20, 2001 with the Silent Auction
another smashing success thanks to the generosity of the members and some of
the merchants who donated items or money. This will enhance the Scholarship
and JROTC programs.
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Pearl Harbor Day, Dan Conway presents the Memorial Wreath at the Wesley
Bolin Center. |
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| Raymond Deane announced the initial group of
recipients for the Chapter Meritorious Service Awards and they are: Bill
Johnson, Jim Seidl, Bill Adams, Bob Rutherford, Bill Toy, Frank Birtciel,
Carol Adams, Irene Doto, and Chuck Schluter. Irene was not present and will
be presented her medal later. |
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