VOLUME 3 NUMBER 8                                          www.usawoa-ftlowell-apache.org                                             AUGUST 2005

Where are the Email Addresses?

Note: email addresses are no longer one click linked, sorry for the extra step. Please write down the address and type it into your email program.

OUR CHAPTER OFFICERS FOR 2004-2005

OUR DEPLOYED MEMBERS

WO1 Jeff Whitbeck is spending his time at Ft Huachuca instructing newbees. Jeff has promised to email a report on his non-classified adventures. Please remember him in our daily prayers and write him on happenings here on the home front at:     

THE CHIEF SAYS

Fellow Warrants, If you will all think back to November 2001,---we were a brand new group that had just formed the Ft. Lowell-Apache Chapter and of course we were "dead broke."  Here were are almost four years later and we have money in the bank, are supporting a JROTC program at Flowing Wells High School, are establishing a scholarship program, created an Awards Program for Distinguished JROTC students, and are hosting the Association's 33rd Annual Meeting of the Members.  NOT BAD FOR NEWCOMERS!!!!!! 

Please keep in mind that we are still looking for new members.  Those of you still in uniform can talk to other warrants about joining our little band. 

The AMM appears to be moving along properly.  So far we have 7 registered members and 35 rooms have been booked. 

There have been some problems with bookings.  Members have called for reservations on the Saturday and Sunday before the meeting and were told that there were no rooms available.  Two calls were for reservations during the week and they were told that there were rooms available.  This has been straightened out and the block has been extended to the weekends on each side and at the same $99.00 rate. 

If there are any problems you have or hear about, have them call Virginia Leavitt at the DoubleTree, 520- 323-5216.

The next Chapter meeting and 2005 Planning Committee meeting is Saturday, August 13, 2005 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 0900.                                                                                                                                 Vin-

ON-LINE AMM REGISTRATION

A week ago Friday, I sat down and went on line to our Chapter’s website and followed the Webkeeper’s instructions and in a very short time my credit card had been debited twice and I was registered for the AMM, the Banquet and my reserved room at $99.00/night.

My personal kudos go out to Michael Turner for developing such an effective and user friendly system for us all. Now would be a good time to go on-line and check it out at http://www.usawoa-ftlowell-apache.org/AMM2005/index.htm.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS-2005

By now we have all know that the AMM this year will happen in Tucson at the DoubleTree Hotel from 24-28 October.

On Monday 24 October, for those who enjoy golf, they will hittin and puttin across the street from the DoubleTree and the rest of us will be either registering or being registered.

Not everybody has the time to spend the entire week at the AMM but for those who are within commuting range, please plan to be part of the Awards Banquet and Ball on Friday Evening 28 October starting at 1700 Hours. Another opportunity to wear your dress blues or mess dress and let everyone know that you’ve ‘been there – done that’. [It beats just a T-shirt.

Oh yeah, I need to warn you. If this is your first AMM then you’ll find what the rest of us have – they are habit forming. It is the only time every year to see old friends and to make new ones.

See ya there.

Spouse Activities

Tombstone Arizona – ‘The Town Too Tough To Die’

Kartchner Caverns

And a whole lot more.  See the descriptions at:

  Fort Lowell-Apache Chapter Website

ELECTION TIME

Our Chapter bylaws dictate that one can only hold elective Chapter office for 2-1 year terms. This fall, this term limit will only affect me, as your Vice President.

Please start thinking of a good replacement to support President Vinny (who I am sure he will be running for re-election as President) and our Chapter. GeeTwo has heard that Lindy’s computer might be forcing him to step down.

ARIZONA SILVER CHAPTER GOLF TOURNAMENT

On Saturday 17 September, our neighbor Chapter from Ft Huachuca will be hosting their Annual Golf Tournament at the two year old San Pedro Golf Course in Benson. This is a beautiful 18-hole championship facility located on the banks of the San Pedro River in beautiful Benson, AZ. A true golf links experience winds through the mesquite groves and along the banks of the San Pedro River on the front nine. The back nine travels through canyons and concludes with the 457-yard par four split fairway/dual lake eighteenth hole.      

The golf course stretches out to 7,313 yards from the Championship tees and there are five sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels. (We recommend that 4 handicap players or better play the back tees.) 

San Pedro Golf Course is located in Benson, just 30 minutes east of Tucson.

- Take Interstate-10 east to Exit #304 (Ocotillo St.)
- Turn left and proceed 1/2 a mile
- Right on Darby Avenue
- Left on Madison. The entrance will be on your right.

4 PERSON SCRAMBLE

FREE Practice Balls Prior To 0745

Rules Meeting At 0745

0800 Tee Time – Shot Gun Start

Pre-registration $45.00 per person Registration $50.00 After 09 SEPTEMBER

(Includes green fees, lunch and cart)

42 Teams Max

PRIZES: 1ST, 2ND and 3rd Place and Net

(Longest Drive and Closest to Pin)

2 Opportunities for Hole in One

PRIZES GALORE

POC: Bill Whealy  william.whealy@us.army.mil

All Proceeds to the

David M. Heckman Scholarship Memorial Fund

A BUSY SINGLE AUGUST DAY IN HISTORY

Obviously, more history was recorded in August since our Revolution but there is only so much room on the page and besides, this is almost enough to put the reader to sleep.

SOME HUMOR

“You didn’t hit the target but that Javelina doesn’t look too healthy. “

In July I started my 21^st year of USAWOA membership and if you will allow me to draw on that experience as having served as a chapter and region officer, to point out some areas of concern. [Re-printed from the August Wild West Review]

       At different times, of course, George Custer and Hal Moore both commanded the 1/7 Cav. George lost his command and became a household world; Hal survived and with Joe Galloway wrote a book that was used as the basis for a move. The big difference was that Hal was able to call in support – artillery and air and did. George didn’t and died with his troopers.

We in the Western Region have more than 100 years, collectively, of experience standing by to help but unless a chapter let’s us know – we can’t help.

The easiest way is to send a copy of your meeting minutes to both Harry and me when you forward them on the Herndon and volla, help will happen.

       After awhile, monthly meetings become routine so there is a temptation to eliminate having a written agenda. Of course, this makes it harder for the secretary to take the minutes and increases the odds of missing a very important discussion item.

       If you have neighboring chapters try teaming up for periodic joint meetings or joint events. Be sure to keep them posted on your golf tournaments, barbeques, etc. It will add to the enjoyment and maybe put a few more dollars in your treasury.

       Ensure that at least one Chapter member attends the Annual Meeting of the Members and brings back all the good information that is presented. Of course, warn your attendees that the AMM becomes a habit that is hard to break – year after year.

       Help your Region Director in organizing area meetings with other chapters in your general area. This is one way to ensure that your Director will visit and get to know you better.

       If you haven’t already, get involved in a civic project that will bring your Chapter good press. Once possibility would be to annually present USAWOA medals to the top JROTC or ROTC cadet. Awards like this are looked forward to and could be one basis for scholarship selections.

       Communications is one of the major keys to a Chapter’s success. Whether it be electronic or my snail mail, a monthly newsletter not only keeps your members informed but keeps them being part of the group.

       Cooperate and work together with other similar organizations, such as American Legion, VFW, MOAA, etc., to better the lot of the military – active, guard, reserve and retiree – in your community. With the number of veterans serving in elective office continues to shrink, we need a loud voice to be heard. The more the numbers, the louder the voice.

       Perhaps it’s time to rewrite your bylaws to permit the routine business to be conducted by a Board of Directors and leaving the meeting open to special programs and speakers of interest that will draw a larger attendance. We are competing for the spare time of every member so we must always strive to make the trip worthwhile.

       As you think of or experience good ideas, email them to me for inclusion in a future Wild West Review.