"Keepers of the Dragon"

Minutes of October 2001 Meeting

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Navy Nuclear Weapons Association

17th Reunion  Myrtle Beach, SC.

2-6 October, 2001

Minutes of the General Business Meeting:

 The annual General Business Meeting of Navy Nuclear Weapons Association was held in the Ballroom of the Ocean Creek Resort, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on 6 October, 2001. 56 members of the attending 62 members were present. Six of the nine Board of Governors were present.  President Dee Rochester called the meeting to order at 10:04 AM.

The opening prayer was provided by Board Member Chuck Weber standing in for Chaplain Henry Stephens; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to this wonderful country. The "Two-Bell Ceremony" was conducted by Shipmates Mike Snyder and Chuck Weber to acknowledge the dedication to service by our members and shipmates who have passed to their last duty station with the Supreme Commander. Those members are: Nilo Baldasari, Charles Buxton, William T. Gray, Al Lowe, and Gordon Polson.  The following shipmates were included; Harold E. Dunn, Benjamin Earp, Don W. (Bill) Fenstemacher, Cecil Green, Frank Lowe, John Obert, William Pratt, Marvin Albaugh, James Farmer, Eldon Jarrell, John Gaunya, Otis McKenna, and Robert Page. We as a community and as a Nation thank them for their unique contribution to world peace. All NNWA members who have departed on their final tour will have their names inscribed on the NNWA Plaque commemorating their outstanding duty to God and Country. If you, as an NNWA member become aware of the passing of one of our shipmates (Member or Non-Member) please notify one of our Board of Governors so that we may notify the rest of the membership and also acknowledge and thank them for their dedicated service.

President Dee Rochester asked all new members to stand and introduce themselves to all the membership. After  the new members, Dee asked all the rest of the members to stand and introduce themselves.  Dee noted that Life Member Lavon Dyer has attended every reunion of the NNWA and has missed her first reunion this year. Also, the absence of other NNWA members included; Henry Stephens, Bob Sibley, Walter Webb, Ray Steele, Russell Rhine, Elton Call, and Roy Osborne.  We wish all Good Health and hope to see everyone in Las Cruces.

President Dee Rochester acknowledged the efforts of Frank and Linda Kelly, this years reunion hosts; for the excellent efforts they accomplished for this years reunion. Again one of the best reunions this association has hosted. The members present stood and applauded their efforts.

OLD BUSINESS:

 Tom Best read a NNWA history summary he had put together from information provided by some of our long-term members. Past Secretary Danny Rider was a large contributor to this effort.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read by the Secretary, and the Members present accepted them by voice vote.

The Treasurer presented an "Interim" Financial report from 1 November 2000 to 25 September 2001. The Members present accepted the Interim Financial report by a voice vote. The final financial report will be completed after the reunion when all bills have been presented and paid. It will be provided as part of the next newsletter.

Tom Best reminded all members to check the date of their dues expiration and to ensure that they are paid up members. He also proudly noted that our NNWA membership continues to grow and we are now at 390 members, 33  life members, and  8 associate members.

The President discussed the Great American Cook-out that was held this year on Wednesday. It was a great success and attended by 62 persons. He recommends that future Board of Governors consider such an "ICEBREAKER" event early on at next reunion.

The President announced that for the first time, the NNWA Board purchased "Liability Insurance" to cover the Reunion. This was at a minimal cost of $245.00 and he recommends the incoming Board of Governors consider liability insurance at next reunions.

The President brought the members up to date on the effort to update the NNWA constitution. He further recommends that the new Board of Governors continue this effort by reviewing the Minutes of meetings to ensure that all past recommendations approved by voice vote are included into the new Constitution. A consolidation of all prior and approved changes should be presented to the membership for review and voted on at the next business meeting.

Last year the Board of Governors designed and approved a NNWA Sympathy Card to be sent to all surviving spouses of our members. He recommends that this practice continue.

The NNWA Historian, Mike Snyder discussed the continuing efforts of updating the Navy Nuclear Weapons history as applicable to the NNWA. He acknowledged the early efforts of Shipmate Henry B. Smith who developed a history from the earliest stages of the navy program (1949) to the 1959 era. He is attempting to bring this history up to date. He also acknowledged the treasure trove of information; documents; photo's and equipment provided primarily by Shipmate Don Micco with additional items provided by Shipmates Roy Norman; O.B. McRenyolds, Jack Hayes, Doug Weaver and Jack Summers. He would also ask that all members of the NNWA contact him with your memories, shipmates stationed with and funny anecdotes from your days in the Nuclear Weapons program. Mike can be contacted by e-mail at  michael.d.snyder@lmco.com or at his address: Michael D. Snyder  17618 Sir Galahad Way, Ashton, MD. 20861-0750 or by phone at (301) 570-0242.

The Board of Governors "Service Officer" Chuck Weber provided a in-depth look into the new Tricare For Life (TFL) program that the government instituted for military retirees age 65 or greater, commencing 1 October, 2001. If you need further information on this program, Chuck recommends you contact your local county Service Officer, the Veterans Administration offices near you or on the Internet at www.tricare.osd.mil . Chuck also recommends that you contact "The Retired Officers Association" (TROA)  as they have a very good book covering the TFL program either by mail or at www.troa.org . You can also contact Chuck at: Chuck Weber P.O. Box 157 Albrightsville, PA. 18210 or Phone: (215) 822-4329. 

Chuck also noted that the government will be offering Retired Military members a low cost "Long Term Care" insurance policy. Not very much information is currently available, but the program is required to go into effect by 1 October 2002.

There being no other Old Business, the President opened the floor to new business.

NEW BUSINESS:

A motion was made by shipmate Bill Grizzard to consider rotating terms for the Board of Governors so that the board did not completely change every two years. The motion was seconded and discussion took place. After the discussion, a voice vote was called and the motion was passed. The Board of Governors will resolve this issue for future revision of the Constitution.

Shipmate Don Fullbright asked for assistance to locate any W Division personnel that had served on the USS Bennington. Fullbright’s phone is (505) 764-0234 or at [nicki6199@aol.com].

President Dee Rochester mentioned that the Board of Governors authorized the expenditure of association funds to:

1.      1.       Offset the cost of the Great American Cook-out

2.      2.       Offset the Dinner costs for the Saturday Night Dinner

Dee also noted that other functions or some member related activity should be financed from the Association Treasury.  He strongly encourages the incoming Board to explore these possibilities.

Dee noted that the association has made a $500.00 donation to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance (FEEA) fund in the name of the Navy Nuclear Weapons Association. The FEEA fund assists federal families affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Also, Henry Stephens brought attention to the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Disaster Relief fund.  When I called FRA headquarters, I found out about the “FRA Pentagon Aid Fund” recently established to assist those Sea Services personnel and/or their families.  Donations can be sent to FRA Pentagon Fund at FRA, 125 N. West Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-2754.

The hosts for the 2002 reunion in Las Cruces, NM. are Bill & Nina Grizzard and Mike & Joyce Seitz.

Bill Grizzard provided a short overview of the reunion. The dates will be 24 September through 29 September 2002. The hotel will be the Hilton in Las Cruces at approximately $60.00 per night room rates. The reunion will also coincide with the Southern New Mexico State Fair in Las Cruces, so there will be many activities to be able to choose from. He had also negotiated a tour to "Trinity Site" for the NNWA members at the reunion through the Public Affairs Officer at Trinity. Bill will provide additional information in the next NNWA Newsletter.

President Dee Rochester discussed the possibility of providing members with a NNWA Business card to carry with them. The urgency to help prospective members occurred in Myrtle Beach when a retired shipmate was in the audience of a show that members were attending and the Association was announced. That shipmate, Joe Chitwood, was signed onboard the following day.  A card would identify the NNWA on the front and contain a small NNWA application on the back. This would allow members to provide interested prospective members an instant application for membership and a point of contact. The resolution of a business card will be evaluated by the incoming Board.

There was a discussion from the floor concerning the NNWA developing an Internet WEBSITE. It was agreed that members Ray Margeson and Dave Shiffman would look into the development of this website and provide information concerning the development and cost maintenance to the Board of Governors for approval.

The 1999-2001 NNWA Board of Governors terms have expired. Following a floor recommendation to stagger the terms of Board members, it was noted with approval that Henry Stephens, Mike Snyder, Chuck Weber, and Sid Hart would remain on the 2001-2003 Board. Henceforth nominations were accepted for five (5) new Board members with Ellamae Weaver accepting duties of Sec/Treas and to include Frank Cantrell,  Ray Margeson;  Jim Hambley;  and Bill Grizzard.  (Henry indicated earlier that he would serve as the Chaplain again). There being no other nominations, the floor was closed and discussions were opened. After discussion, a voice vote was called and the membership approved the new Board.

The new Board accepted suggestions for the 19th reunion site in the central region of the U.S.A.

You new NNWA Board of Governors for the 2001-2003 term of office is:

Jim Hambley           President                                     Henry Stephens             Chaplain       

Sid Hart                   Vice President                             Mike Snyder               Historian

Ellamae Weaver     Secretary/Treasurer                    Ray Margeson           Member at Large

Frank Cantrell         Master-At Arms                          Bill Grizzard                Member at Large

Chuck Weber          Service Officer

 

There being no other business offered from the floor, the President accepted a motion to adjourn. That motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The Acting Chaplain, Chuck Weber provided the closing prayer. 

President Dee Rochester adjourned the meeting at 12:07 PM.

 

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