The January 2004 meeting was held at McCormick Ranch with a good turn out. Newly elected officers were installed with President Gary Fredricks taking the helm. Paul Fein, First VP, Tom Houser, 2nd VP, Frank Birtciel, 3rd VP, Terry Tassin, Secretary, and Bill Johnson, Treasurer. The legislative drive this year is Survivor Benefit Plan improvement to do away with the Social Security Offset. The Spring Golf Tournament is tentatively set for May 8, at Rolling Hills Golf Course.

February 2004

The February meeting was held at the Sunshine Hotel & Suites on the 19th. The turnout was lighter than usual, but the speaker, Major Douglas Patt USA Ret., was a good one with a very informative talk on his experiences on "Gulf War to Afghanistan".  Chuck Schluter has set up a visit to Barry Briskman's collection of "Nice" automobiles on Saturday May 15, prior to the luncheon at McCormick Ranch. Dan Conway is pushing the drive for support of the passage of Survivor Benefit Plan improvements.

The March 20, 2004 Luncheon was held at McCormick Ranch with an excellent turn out of 56 persons. Moe A. Yacut, Community Relations Manager, from Phoenix sky Harbor was the guest speaker who brought us up to date on happenings at the airport and what may happen in the future in the way of new gates and terminals. The MOAA Golf Tournament has been rescheduled for May 1, 2004 so dust off your clubs (if they haven't been used lately) and join the fun. Tee off will start at 0830 so arrive early at the Rolling Hills Golf Course. The mail drive for improvement in the Survivors Benefit Plan is on with MOAA National heading the drive. Dependency and Indemity Compensation (DIC) information through the sentinel and Officers of this Chapter has resulted in at least one widow regaining her benefits. The April meet will be held on the 15th and IRS will be looking for you if you don't get your return in!

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The April 15, 2004 Dinner Meeting was held in the Sunshine Hotel and Resort with 33 in attendance. The guest speaker was Matt Burdick from the Community Relations Office of the Arizona Department of Transportation. He gave a very interesting talk on progress and plans for the Phoenix Area Freeway System and light rail needs as the population is likely to double by the year 2020. He also noted that the use of rubberized asphalt has been very successful in the reduction of noise on the freeways as well as a benefit in improving the water runoff on the roadways and is taking care of the old tire problem as they are the source of the rubber used in the asphalt mix.

The second certificate (shown right) was for the Winner-Electronic Newsletter Category II (200-499 members) Arizona Chapter The Sentinel.

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Chuck Schluter arranged a visit to the home of Barry Briskman the morning of May 15, 2004.  Barry graciously opened his garage containing numerous rare vintage and classy classic automobiles of his collection and others under restoration.  Only a few will be shown here.  One is a rare Lagonda that has some unusual attractions. The engine picture shows the dual ignition system. What appears to be a spare tire is not a spare tire. It contains a set of tools, and a hydraulic jack system whereby one can select any or all of the wheels that need to be jacked up for changing or maintenance. Another rare auto is the 4 seater MG that is restored perfectly. The Woody Station Wagon is another beauty that turns heads up and down the street. How about the Packard Coupe with the steps up to the rumble seat. That's class. If you missed this trip just prior to the luncheon, you should not have.

Lagonda

Burgundy Caddy

This rare Lagonda has a dual ignition system

Frank and Velma and Barry's Packard

Rumble seat

 Scholarship Chairman Art Parker and President Gary Fredricks made the presentations.

A $1,000.00 scholarship were awarded to each of the following JROTC students: Joshua J. Freitas of Cactus AFJROTC, Jonathan Gilman of Deer Valley AFROTC, Marina L. Hernandez of Central AJROTC, Timothy W. Mass of Thunderbird NJROTC, Sharon Preiss of Carl Hayden AJROTC. 

 Congratulations and best wishes to them all.

Joshua J. Freitas of Cactus AFJROTC

Jonathan Gilman of Deer Valley AFROTC

Marina L. Hernandez of Central AJROTC

Timothy W. Mass of Thunderbird NJROTC

Art Parker, Chairman for JROTC Scholarship Awards

Sharon Preiss of Carl Hayden AJROTC

Her topic was "The Art of Healthy Living.

Ron Green led the group through this meeting as our President Gary Fredericks and wife attended a high school function in Kansas.

MOAA National has been busy lobbying for legislation pertaining to Survivors Benefits and Concurrent Receipt.

The October 2004 meeting was held at The Sunshine Hotel with a departure from our general meetings.

The theme was Oktoberfest with entertainment by the "Arizona Button Accordion Band" plus Bass Guitar and Drummer led by Bill Regina. 

Many of our members put on their dancing shoes and all had a good time.

Dan Conway, Chapter President for 2005

Pictured below are Carol and Bill Adams, Jo Ann Thompson, Nancy Mendez, couple on the right are not identified, Chet and Betty Baumer with their back to the camera.

Clare and Mike Gannon, next couple unidentified, Aino Baudu, and Velma and Frank Birtciel with back to the camera.