Historical notes from Frank
The Arizona Chapter of TROA was the first chapter in Arizona and was
chartered October 22, 1956.
The Retired Officers Association (TROA)
elected to change the name to Military Officers Association of America
(MOAA) in January 2003.
Being the Chapter historian fits right in with being the historian for
the 343rd Fighter Squadron of the 55th Fighter Group for about 20 years.
My aircraft, named Miss Velma, was a P-51D model, state of the art at
the time until the Germans built the ME-262 Jet. Even though the jet
was fast, it was short on fuel and less maneuverable leaving it vulnerable
during takeoff and landing. Our best day was on February 25, 1945 when
we downed seven of the jets at Giebelstadt when they were forming up for a
mission. I married Miss Velma Randolph on June 19, 1945.
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Frank Birtciel, LtCol, USAF, is our Historian
Frank in his favorite P-51D Mustang circa 1945 |
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Bill Toy, pictured right, remembers some of the early days when the first
meetings were held at the RONS Club in Phoenix in 1955.
The Retired Officers Club applied for affiliation with TROA on September
10th, 1956. The first President was Charles E. Powell, Major USAR
retired. In 1958, the meetings were moved to the Arizona Military
District Headquarters on 64th St. and McDowell Rd. They converted a
warehouse building and made it into an Officers Club.
Bill recalls the early meetings where over 200 members and guests attended
and the meals cost a grand total of $3.00. There was always a full
column article in the paper about chapter events and there were local and
national dignitaries in attendance.
Bill Toy has been active in veterans affairs all these years and was
inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame
November 7, 2002 |
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Senator Barry Goldwater was an active member in the 60's and 70's as was
General Robert Scott, the author of the book, God is my Co-Pilot.
Bill says that Senator John McCain got his start in politics after being
endorsed for political office at a Chapter meeting. Other dignitaries who
were honorary members of the Chapter were Senators Carl Hayden and Ernest
McFarland.
More of the earlier history of the Arizona Chapter is contained in some of
the Sentinel News Letters. For example in 1982, the January meeting recorded
the largest turn out in over a year when CAPT John McCain, former prisoner
of war in the Hanoi Hilton, gave a most interesting and informative talk at
the meeting. He has become a member of the Chapter and we look forward
to a long association with him and Mrs. McCain. The Chapter presented a
Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding service to our country.
In 1983 it was noted that on July 6, Governor Bruce Babbitt proclaimed the
week of September 11, as Retired Officers Week.
February 17, 1986, a TROA JROTC Medal was presented to Cadet Lieutenant
Colonel Matthew Adamson who has already been awarded a four year AFROTC
Scholarship and is a finalist for an appointment to the USAF Academy and the
US Coast Guard Academy.
In April 1986, TROA members were the guests of Arizona Public Service on a
tour of the new Palo Verde Nuclear Plant. Also in April, the Chapter
will award a TROA JROTC Medal to the outstanding Cadet at Deer Valley High
School.
1995 January 21, Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio spoke to the Chapter
at the Spaghetti Company.
He had many anecdotes about the Media, who are completely astounded by Joe's
"No nonsense, make it hard as you can on the criminals" approach to law
enforcement. Bill Adams President. Joe's Tent City, bolognas
sandwiches, and Men and Women Chain Gang (Joe says no discrimination) are
still in force in 2003.
1996 headlined the "40th Anniversary Party a Smashing Success".
President Bill Thompson, with guest of honor Congressman John Shadegg and
his wife Shirley, were part of 130 strong who showed up to honor our
departed Charter Members, enjoy an excellent meal, hear some encouraging
words from our guest, and dance to the best 50's dance band I've heard in a
long time. A great time was had by all. If you didn't go, you
missed a heck of a party.
1999 Saw the election of Charles "Chuck " Schluter President and the
beginning of a revitalization of the Chapter. His great enthusiasm got right to the meat of a problem. He turned Dan Conway loose on
Legislative Activity and Dan is another fireball as we have all learned.
He assigned TOPS to Gus Holstein, put Ron Drew to work as Web Master, Bill
Adams as Sentinel Editor, and Al Fueling as Photographer. He put Chet Baumer to work on the first golf tournament for the Chapter. Elected
as 1st VP was Carol Adams, 2nd VP Margaret Ziernicki, Secretary Irene Doto,
Treasurer Bill Johnson, and Bob Rutherford remains as Chaplin.
August 6, 1999 Governor Jane Hull appointed Patrick P. Chorpenning as the
Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services.For some
more chronology and photographic history, please visit our
Events Scrapbook page.
Frank
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