TSRA NEWSLETTER Publication of the Textron Systems Retirees Association Vol. 9 No. 3 www.tsretirees.org August 2009

TEXTRON VP CATHY STREKER PROVIDES FEEDBACK ON HEALTH PLAN CONCERNS

The attendees at TSRA’s Annual Spring Luncheon While this conclusion may not satisfy some TSRA in May of this year heard the Textron VP of members, it does illustrate Textron’s willingness Human Resources and Benefits, Mrs. Cathy to explore suggestions of other alternatives to Streker, and her colleague, Ron St. Pierre, those offered. In this regard, the TSRA Board was Director of Benefits Strategy, describe Textron’s pleased that Textron has embraced the idea of existing health benefit plans and the guiding issues providing a top-level summary with the health that led to Textron’s offerings to its employees benefit options package that is distributed annually and retirees. Mrs. Streker and Mr. St Pierre also in the fall of each year. The objective of this described the interplay between the new RAP summary is to make it easier to understand the Pension Plan and the traditional Defined Benefits health plan options proposed for 2010 and Plan under which almost all of our current retirees highlighting any changes being made to the are covered. In a Q & A session that followed, existing options. We are pleased that Textron, in one TSRA member cited difficulties with finding an effort to engage a wide range of input, has health care professionals in his area who would invited the TSRA Board to review and comment accept the Humana Plan. The member suggested upon the summary being developed for this fall’s that he and others would pay a premium to be able mailing. The Board views this as further evidence to retain his former United Health Care (UHC) of the value of the collaborative relationship that Plan if Textron would make that possible. we have endeavored to build with Textron, Although other attendees pointed out that the Textron Systems Corporation and Textron Tufts Health Plan HMO was offered as an Defense Systems. alternative, Mrs. Streker graciously offered to Ron Milauskas assess the implications of providing such an alternative for the UHC Plan. ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE

Following up on that commitment, Mrs. Streker Page recently informed the TSRA Board that Textron 9th Annual TSRA Golf Tournament 2 did assess this possibility and after careful Traveling with Elderhostel 3 consideration concluded it was countervailing to Volunteer Opportunities for TSRA Members 4 Textron’s objective of providing the best "overall value" for the greatest number of retirees by In Memoriam 5 offering viable health plan options at manageable TSRA Welcomes New Members 5 cost to both users and Textron. Textron continues Upcoming Events 5 to believe that the dual choice concept offered What’s New at Textron Systems? 6 (Humana and Tufts) provides the best health care Lowell Spinners Event 7 plan approach at this time.

Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720 See our web site at www.tsretirees.org 1 9TH ANNUAL TSRA GOLF Closing out the competitive events, Bill Stuart TOURNAMENT won the Closest to the Pin contest.

Ron Milauskas At the end of the day, all of the competitors

gathered in the lounge, enjoyed a great selection On June 16th, under partly sunny skies, 32 of hors d’oeuvres washed down by a glass or two members of TSRA gathered at the Hillview of refreshment, recalled golf shots made and Country Club to vie for honors in the 9th Annual missed, and committed to doing better next year! TSRA John J. Mahoney Memorial Golf Tournament. Under the guidance once again of Chairperson, Art Dunford, eight teams were formed and assigned handicaps using a unique system devised by Art to assure the fairest of Left to Right: playing conditions! Tom Henze, Bob Daverin, Eve Beauchesne, & Gus Andrade

Left to Right: Jamie Cardillo, Phil Donaghey, Ray Kahre, & Gordon Bishop

When the last putt had been made and all scores tallied, the team of Ray Kahre, Phil Donaghey, Jamie Cardillo, and Gordon Bishop prevailed as the Low Net Winners and were awarded the prized Hacker Gus Trophy that is retained by the reigning Left to Right: Rocky Walsh, Ted Langley, champions until next year’s event. Tom Boyle and Al Guimond

Left to Right: Left to Right: Tony Scorpio Joe Pelletier, Art Dunford, Dick Preble, Ron Milauskas Angie Caiani & & Bob Evans Bill Stuart

Prevailing in the Low Gross category was the Thanks to Tom Henze who once again arrived team of Art Dunford, Bob Evans, Ron Milauskas, with camera in hand to enable us to retain a and Tony Scorpio. Tony also won the Longest photographic memory of another day well spent Drive competition for men and Eve Beauchesne with friends and former colleagues. See more prevailed as the women’s Longest Drive winner. photos on our web site at www.tsretirees.org .

Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720 See our web site at www.tsretirees.org 2 A GREAT WAY TO GO: Special features include backstage forays with TRAVELING WITH theater or music professionals, such as a visit with several Rockettes in New York City. ELDERHOSTEL John Lescher The next benefit of Elderhostel is price. Their trips include nearly everything―lodging, meals, Elderhostel is now my first choice for travel. In guides, museum or concert tickets and lecturers. the past, we have traveled on our own and as part They always have trips under $600 plus last of various groups. But now, our last seven trips minute specials. For every trip we have taken, have been with Elderhostel. Trips have varied Elderhostel has been the best deal when we could from one-day music courses at the Boston find a comparison. For our last trip, they even Conservatory to 15 day international trips. I have added free airfare as a special. also gone to two Elderhostel jazz camps. Our most recent trip was a riverboat trip starting in Customer service is excellent. Elderhostel actually Amsterdam and sailing along the Rhine, Main and answers its phone and respond to emails. They Danube rivers, ending in Budapest. We visited have patiently and promptly responded to all of Koln, Vienna and many other cities seeing great my questions. Their home office is right here in museums and many castles. It was a good example Boston, and they keep good track of what's of what makes Elderhostel vacations enjoyable― happening on their trips. On one of our trips, a price, education and great people. young lady from the home office (she designs the catalogs) came along as a guest so she could Elderhostel is a not-for-profit educational travel understand the experience. organization for adults 55 and over. The Elderhostel experience starts with a great selection But the very best part of the Elderhostel of trips―one stop shopping on a well-designed experience is the people; leaders and fellow web site (www.elderhostel.org) or from frequent travelers. The travelers have ranged from age 55 catalogs. About 8,000 available tours include all to over 90 and have been mostly couples with 50 states and more than 90 countries. You can some male and female singles. Most have been sign up for cruises, bus tours, visits to national retired and were Americans or Canadians. There parks, train trips or educational weeks. You can have been businessmen (and women), scientists, enjoy activities like cycling, birding, golf, tennis, farmers, engineer, historians, sociologists, walking, hiking, boating or skiing. There are economists, librarians, doctors, teachers, nurses special tours for women, service learning and and artists. Everyone is friendly and interesting grandparents with their grandchildren. sharing great stories and (sometimes very strong) opinions. At meals, everybody rotates around to Another great benefit is the educational sit and talk with everyone. There are no cliques. experiences available. You can learn about On one trip, a talented amateur artist provided us history, art, music or culture. You can enjoy all with portraits, landscapes and caricatures. The music or Shakespeare festivals. You can learn to leaders have been uniformly excellent, friendly, sing, paint, take pictures or cook. Many times, accessible and knowledgeable. On our there are no comparable trips from other sources. international trips, they have all spoken excellent Our experiences with their guides, lecturers and English. experts have been excellent. Lectures are by distinguished university faculty, historians, So my advice is to give Elderhostel a try. I think authors, diplomats, local experts and philosophers. you'll like it as much as I do.

Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720 See our web site at www.tsretirees.org 3

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES competition was so large it was held in the FOR TSRA MEMBERS Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Jim Stamboni and George Perna In order to accomplish the monumental task of

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of building a functional robot within six weeks, high Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 by school students are paired with professional Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human engineers, college students, teachers, parents, and Transport. The goal of this worldwide program is other mentors who all must work as a team in to inspire thousands of youth every year to take an order to build a robot that succeeds in a interest in engineering, mathematics, and science. competitive environment. During this process, During this process, students build self- these students are exposed to the design and confidence, as well as teamwork and leadership manufacturing process (including brainstorming, skills. FIRST accomplishes all this and more; but planning, designing, prototyping, testing, what is most interesting, is that the participants are fabricating and assembling) as well as budgetary having fun while doing all this! and material constraints.

 Nationwide there are over 42,000 students, The program is designed to motivate youths to 6,000 mentors, and 4,000 other volunteers pursue careers and opportunities in science, that will participate in the FRC program this technology, engineering, and math. year.  More than 3,500 companies and To maintain a level of competition which forces organizations help to sponsor teams. These teams to constantly adapt and change their sponsors include NASA, PTC, General designs, the rules of the competition as well as Motors, Lockheed Martin, General Electric, elements of the field are altered each year. Textron, Johnson & Johnson and affiliates, BAE Systems, Ford Motor Company, United Unlike a normal sport that uses a standard ball or Technologies Corp., Delphi, Raytheon, and scoring device, each year FIRST chooses a new Walt Disney. object which teams must manipulate to score  When the first FIRST competition was held points. The list of scoring devices used in the past in 1992, there were only 28 teams involved. includes soccer balls, beach balls, inner tubes, This year, more than 1,700 teams will pillows, large plastic boxes, dodge balls, and participate in 40 regional FRC events. Due pyramid shaped objects named tetras made from to the success of its robotics competitions, PVC pipe. FIRST has spawned a Lego League and a VEX Robotics League aimed at spreading To keep up with the latest technology, each year, the FIRST message to middle school and FIRST introduces new items to be included in the elementary school students. standard “Kit of Parts”. Students are exposed to new equipment such as pneumatics, onboard radio Each January, FIRST Robotics Competition controlled computers, powerful motors, and color (FRC) teams from around the world tune into a sensing cameras. Students are encouraged to learn broadcast provided by NASA to receive the new ways to use this new technology to their team’s challenge they will need to overcome. They have advantage. the next six weeks to transform their standard “Kit of Parts” into unique robots which are each These competitions are designed to provide many designed differently to accomplish the same goal. different possible solutions for students to Each team hopes their design will go on to win consider when designing their robots. At these both regional and national championship competitions, teams ponder many strategies and competitions. This past year the championship weigh them carefully to determine which will be (continued on next page)

Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720 See our web site at www.tsretirees.org 4

FIRST (continued) Former TS/TDS President Retired the most successful. Each year, the competition becomes more complex than the last, and teams We have received word that Richard (Dick) must use creative problem solving skills and real Millman has recently retired from Textron. A world strategizing to be successful. dinner party is being planned in his honor for October 22nd at the Tewksbury Country Club. The cost per person is expected to run between Like many organizations, FIRST teams across the $35 and $40. Space might be limited and country depend upon the involvement of parents attendance may be on a “first come” basis. and other interested adults (mentors) to succeed. Whether or not adults have technical experience or If you have an interest in attending, please are even interested in robots, the team needs and contact Carol Vautrinot at 978-657-2332 or welcomes additional help. With so much to [email protected]. accomplish in so little time, there are plenty of opportunities for you to step in and contribute. Volunteers are needed for fundraising and team Upcoming Events marketing, donating tools and equipment, th providing technical and project management THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 expertise, providing rides to meetings and NASHOBA VALLEY WINERY TOUR bringing food and refreshments to keep the team THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15th going. They could really use additional help. If FALL LUNCHEON you wish to get involved and help FRC succeed, Hillview Country Club please call George Perna at 978–657–2234 North Reading, MA

Along with the need for volunteers and mentors, TSRA WELCOMES NEW there is a need for corporate sponsors. Textron MEMBERS Systems has long been dedicated to FIRST and its ideals. In addition to being one of the founding The Textron Retiree Association is pleased to and continuing sponsors of the Boston Regional welcome the following individuals into the for the last five years, they were also a founding organization: and continuing sponsor (for the past 13 years) of Kevin Keane Bill and Carol Melanson Northeastern University’s NUTRONS Team 125. Textron Systems also sponsors three other teams (Teams 339, 981, 691) through their Valencia, CA In Memoriam Operating Unit plus three teams in Hawaii and TSRA sends its condolences and sincere one team in Maryland. All of these teams have sympathy to the families of the following Textron personnel as mentors, and Textron has former Avco/Textron employees or spouses. committed for the 2009 season to support more local teams with an additional $25K for a total of Walter S. Davis 06/10/09 14 teams in the US. Raymond L. Gosselin 06/12/09 Karen Bellaire 06/27/09 (spouse of Robert) More information on all of the FIRST programs James J. Murray 07/07/09 and the organization itself can be found on their Paschal G. Aufiero 08/03/09 website at www.usfirst.org.

Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720 See our web site at www.tsretirees.org 5

WHAT’S NEW AT TEXTRON SYSTEMS?

Textron Defense Systems’ XM1100 designed to be a force multiplier for our Scorpion Completes Successful warfighters, keeping them out of harm’s way Verification Testing and while helping them accomplish their missions.”

Critical Design Review Textron Marine & Land Systems From , July 15, 2009: Textron Delivers 2000th ASV Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, announced New Orleans, LA, June 2, 2009: Textron today that its XM1100 Scorpion networked sensor Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, and munitions platform has completed rigorous th verification testing, as well as a successful critical rolled the 2,000 Armored Security Vehicle design review (CDR) with the U.S. Army. (ASV) off its Slidell, Louisiana assembly line today and recognized the milestone in a Testing took place at the White Sands Missile ceremony including top officials with the U.S. Range in New Mexico, where dispensing modules Army Tank-automotive and Armaments controlled by a Scorpion control station were Command (TACOM). demonstrated in both urban and open terrain settings against single and multiple target arrays. Col. Scott Kidd, U.S. Army Project Manager, Additional day and overnight system verification Tactical Vehicles, joined representatives from trials occurred with up to eight dispensing the U.S. Army Military Police School, local modules under the control of a single Scorpion government officials and Textron Marine & control station. These activities validated the Land Systems employees to mark the delivery Scorpion’s situational awareness, command and of the 2,000th ASV. control, and target engagement capabilities. The “The ASV, the first Convoy Protection Scorpion’s sensor fuzed warhead also was Platform, continues to remain safe, suitable and demonstrated to verify functionality and effective in the war fight. The production of the performance under various scenarios. th 2000 unit is significant reflecting the relevance Following this event, Textron Defense Systems of the system and the ability of the Textron led a CDR to demonstrate its execution against workforce to produce a high quality product,” program goals leading up to the government said Col. Kidd. development testing phase, which is expected to begin later this year. The customer affirmed that “This ASV program has been outstanding because the Textron Defense Systems Scorpion team of the dedication of the people here at Textron successfully achieved all of the exit criteria Marine & Land Systems who put their efforts into required to pass the review. making the best vehicle possible for our troops,” said Textron Marine & Land Systems General With the CDR complete, the Scorpion team will Manager Tom Walmsley. continue activities leading up to a final end-to-end, live fire test event that is expected to take place The ASV has maintained exceptional later this summer. operational readiness and combat availability rates over the life of the U.S. Army program as “Our team has worked diligently toward this CDR vehicles log more than 30,000 miles per year in with a single goal in mind―getting this combat operations. Textron Marine & Land technology into the hands of America’s Systems has achieved more than 44 consecutive warfighters,” says Senior Vice President and months of on-time delivery to the U.S. Army on General Manager Mark Catizone of Textron the ASV program. Defense Systems. “The Scorpion system is

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LOWELL SPINNERS EVENT The Spinners have spawned current Red Sox Ken Clark players , Jed Lowry, , and . On a cold, wet night on July 23rd, 58 TSRA In spite of the weather, the game went a complete members and guests braved the elements to enjoy nine innings and the Spinners lost the game 5-2 to the Gator Pit buffet and the baseball game. This the Vermont Lake Monsters, a farm team of the marks the eighth year of this event and attendance Washington Nationals. The Spinners resembled has been in the 50-60 range each year. The food the Bad News Bears committing four costly errors. continues to be good and the buffet environment allows members to socialize with retirees and current co-workers before the game.

Ken Clark arrives for the game.

The loss drops the Spinners record to 17-16 and The game was designated as Justin Masterson leaves them in third place in the Stedler Division Bobble Head night and the first 1500 attendees, of the NY-Penn Class A league, trailing the including all TSRA attendees, received bobble Vermont team with a record of 18-15. head dolls in a likeness of the current Red Sox relief pitcher. Justin was on hand to throw out the first pitch and rode around the field distributing T-shirts to fans in the stands.

Leo and Terri Roy

We look forward to continuing this fun event again next year. Hopefully the Spinners will improve their ability to win games. Look for an announcement next spring.

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TSRA Newsletter

Carol Coombs, Editor

Jim Stamboni, JCC Chairman

Articles Submitted By: Ken Clark John Lescher Ron Milauskas George Perna Jim Stamboni

Golf Photos by Tom Henze

Spinners Photos by Len Epstein

Contributors: Selena Evans, Don Lutz, Tony Longo, Dash Nahabedian, John Petty, Leo Roy, Bob Cranton, Anita Adams, Joe Pelletier, Harry Lockhart, Geoff Bentley, John Dyer, Len Epstein, and Bill Strickland

Visit the TSRA website (www.tsretirees.org/index.htm) for current and past editions of the Newsletter as well as other important information.