"From the Chief"

 

Fellow Warrants

 

I know I am a little late in getting this out, but as they say, “Better late than never.”

 

The year 2010 holds an opportunity for us as an organization to try to do more in the community and try to get our name out.  However, to do that each of us needs to make a commitment to become a little more involved.

 

At this time we have a commitment to support the JROTC program at Flowing Wells High School.  We do this through our scholarship program, supporting the Apache Drill Competition, and Distinguished Service Awards at the school’s annual Award’s Ceremony.  Fortunately, our Annual Golf Tournaments have provided us with the funds to do this.

 

We have just begun to become involved with the Missing In America Program headed by John Curtis and assisted by Art Schmid, Ed Blankschen,  Al Price, and Harold Lindamood.  This program is complex and is something that will be on-going for quite a while.  If it is to be successful, it will take the efforts of many members of the group to help get it done.

 

I am asking each of you to try to become more involved in chapter activities.  I know we each of you have a life beyond the Association, but hopefully you can put a small portion of your time into helping.  In one way we are fortunate – most of our members are retired and have more time to donate than those members who are still on active duty or working a “real” job.

 

Our Charter was issued on November 20, 2001 and next year will be our tenth anniversary. 

 

In those few years we have done more than many chapters have done with a much longer history- 

1.  We are now running our 9^th annual golf tournament          .

 

2.  We instituted a Scholarship for the graduating JROTC students.

 

3.  Hosted the Annual Warrant Officer Association meeting in 2005

 

4. Commissioned the sculpting of the statue for the Apache Drill Competition.  The statue is awarding to the winning team, but is returned the next year to be presented to the that year’s winning team.

 

5.  Established the Distinguished Service Award that is given to the best JROTC cadet in each grade level –Gold for Seniors, Silver-for Juniors, Bronze- for Sophomores, and Copper-for Freshmen.

 

6. Donated money for the re-internment on May 20, 2009 at the Sierra Vista VA Cemetery of the military and civilian bodies unearth in Tucson.

 

7.  Helped out at Winter Haven to collect food for the Tucson Food Bank.

 

            8.  Donate time to Veterans’ Administration Hospital.

 

            9.  Donated money to help defray the cost of transporting the cremains of three servicemen to Arlington Cemetery.

 

What I am saying is that it only takes a little time to do great things, IF everyone does a little, instead of a few trying to do it all.   Because a few can only do so much.

 

I am always interested in hearing your thoughts, please let me know what you think.  I am proud of you for what we have done and what we will continue to do

 

 

Vincent A. Baiocchetti, Jr.

CW5R                           AV

President