1014 Briefcase Layout 1

OCTOBER 2014 Vol. 46, No. 10 A Publication of the OKLAHOMA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION WWW.OKCBAR.ORG Veterans Day Bench & Bar Committee to Host Extraordinary People Judicial By Rex Travis wet season in that part of Viet Nam. In early were dug in on the east side of the small Sometimes ordinary people do extraordi- March, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) airstrip built to resupply the camp, which lay Candidate nary things and become... well, extraordi- surrounded the camp with about 2,500 to the east of the strip. The weather made the nary. Such a thing happened March 10, 1966 troops. The camp was out of range of task more difficult and is probably why the American artillery so U.S. Air Force aircraft at a small Special Forces camp in the A North Vietnamese chose that time for the had to supply fire support for the outpost. attack. The clouds were down over the Forum Shau, pronounced [Ah-Shah], valley. The The air support was mostly provided by mountains surrounding the valley which camp was manned by 10 American green an anachronistic airplane, the A1E, official- stood at about 1,500 feet. The cloud ceiling Oct. 23, 12-1:30 PM, berets and about 400 South Vietnamese ly the “Skyraider” but commonly called a was 800 feet. irregulars. The camp was in a 25-mile-long “Spad” after Snoopy’s airplane in Peanuts. This meant each time the Spads came in Ronald Norick valley in the far northern part of South The A-1 had started out in World War II as a for a bombing or strafing run, they had to Vietnam, right up against the demilitarized navy attack and torpedo plane but came into descend through the clouds between the Downtown Library zone which marked the border between that war too late to be used. It was used by peaks, make their run up (or down) the val- North and South Vietnam and just beside the the navy in the Korean War but found its ley (the only way they could go) where the Auditorium Laotian border. best use in Viet Nam. NVA gunners on the ground knew exactly The valley was part of the Ho Chi Minh These were big airplanes, for fighters. where to shoot at them. One of the Spads What advice do you plan to give trail, along which troops and supplies moved They had a large, rotary engine driving a was hit by ground fire and caught fire. The those friends & relatives who call you from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. That huge propellor. This gave the airplane the pilot, Major “Jump” Myers, bellied the Spad just before Election Day and ask, “Who was why the Special Forces camp was there. ability to carry a large load of fuel and in on the little (2,500 foot) runway and should I vote for?” Here’s your chance They were to send patrols out into the valley ammunition and remain in the air with that departed the downed aircraft for the west to get the scoop on the candidates for to disrupt North Vietnam’s supply line on large load up to 10 hours. the OK County judicial races. The the Ho Chi Minh trail. March was part of the The Spads were attacking the NVA, who See VETERANS, PAGE 16 forum will take place at the Downtown Library Auditorium and is open to the public. If you have questions you would like to see the candidates answer, e-mail them to [email protected] and they will be given to the candidates as time allows. Hope to see you there! President Webb presented the Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma County Bar Foundation Treasurer Robert Oklahoma donation check to Cindy Goble, manag- Nelon presented this year’s Grant Award to Legal President Webb presented Oklahoma County Bar Auxiliary Leslie Blair with this year’s donation check. ing attorney for the Oklahoma City office. Aid Services of Oklahoma’s Cindy Goble. Inside Judge Linder: OCBA Annual From the President . .2 Old News . .14 Events and Seminars . .3 Bar Observer . .15 Jurist Extraordinaire Dinner Dance And the Court Said . .4 OCU School of Law News . .15 Judge Ray Dean Linder Retires Laughing and Dancing iBar Definitive Playlists . .7 Book Notes . .20 after 46 Years on the Bench the Night Away! Work Life Balance. .8 August Picture Quiz Answers . .21 Page 11 Page 12-13 Picture Quiz . .10 Stump Roscoe . .22 OKLA CITY OK CITY OKLA PERMIT# 59 PERMIT# PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 BRIEFCASE • October 2014 BRIEFCASE From the President October 2014 Briefcase is a monthly publication of the Oklahoma County Bar Association 119 North Robinson Ave. What’s the Purpose of the Exercise? Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 236-8421 By Jim Webb must never lose sight of our Mission 1. To foster the highest ideals of the legal Briefcase Committee OCBA President Statement as an organization. That Mission profession. Judge Jim Croy, Chris Deason, Judge Don Statement tells who we are and what we are I have been accused (accurately) at vari- 2. To better the quality of life in Deason, Michael Duggan, Michael Ford, Brian all about. Oklahoma County. Hansford, Justin Hiersche, Thomas Ishmael, ous times throughout my life of being a bit It reminds us we are: 3. To promote justice for all. Scott Jones, Matt Kane, Katherine Mazaheri, Joi of a water bug, quickly flitting from one Volunteer lawyers and judges dedi- McClendon, Shanda McKenney, Richard Parr, thing to another, sometimes without much These three goals are the purpose of the cated to serving the judicial system, Travis Pickens, Austin Reams, Teresa Rendon, evidence of forethought or even direction. I exercise. Are they lofty? Of course. Goals Judge Vicki Robertson, Bill Sullivan, Rex Travis, [our] profession, and [our] community have a very clear memory of my late dad, that are worth anything are, by definition, Collin Walke, Judge Allen Welch and Alisa in order to foster the highest ideals of George, bringing me back in line on projects lofty. Are they attainable? Yes, in a sense. White. the legal profession, to better the quali- by asking the question, The goals are constantly moving, meaning Editor Judge Geary L. Walke ty of life in Oklahoma “So, remind me son, that we will never meet them completely. County, and to promote Contributing Editors Richard Goralewicz what’s the purpose of the We must always keep them in mind, and we justice for all. Bill Gorden exercise?” He did not real- must always work toward them. The first thing our mis- Warren Jones ly care to know the Meanwhile, as a result of serving, we sion statement says about answer; heck, he knew the meet some really amazing people. We net- us is that we “are dedicated Oklahoma County Bar Association answer. He just wanted me work for current and future business oppor- to serving.” We are an to answer it for myself, tunities. We go on fun trips to places like OFFICERS: organization made up of with the hope that if I had Aspen and Las Vegas (all for the CLE cred- President Jim Webb servant leaders, and, as the purpose in mind, I its, of course). These are some of the count- President-Elect Angela Ailles Bahm Robert Greenleaf once would stay on task. (If dad less benefits that we receive from active Vice President Judge Barbara Swinton said, “the servant-leader is was still alive, he would involvement in the OCBA and staying true Past President Judge Patricia Parrish servant first.” Servant- tell you it did not always Treasurer Robert D. Nelon leaders are motivated by to our Mission Statement. work, and my wife would Bar Counsel Brandon Long the desire to help– a “ser- Thoreau said, “What you get by achieving agree!) what you STAFF: vant’s heart” of identifying your goals is not as important as George Webb instinc- become Executive Director Debbie Gorden and meeting the needs of by achieving your goals.” By striv- tively knew something Jim Webb Legal Placement Director Pam Bennett others. ing for the three goals of the OCBA, we that Thomas Edison once Membership Services Connie Resar Ultimately, meeting those needs requires become better lawyers. We become better taught. Edison said: work – good old honest “perspiration,” as judges. Far most importantly, though, we Journal Record Publishing Co. Inc. “Being busy does not always mean Edison described it. Let’s be honest, though. become better people. real work. The object of all work is pro- As individuals and as an organization, we As we travel this road together for the Publisher Joni Brooks duction or accomplishment, and to can be busy, but unproductive. We can be next year, please remember I have an open Director of Sales and Community Relations Sunny Cearley either of these ends there must be fore- moving, but not going anywhere. We can door policy. If you have ideas on how we Art Director Gary L. Berger thought, system, planning, intelligence, “seem to do,” but actually do nothing. can improve the OCBA, please email me at as well as Creative Services Tiffany English and honest purpose, perspira- We stay out of that trap by reminding our- [email protected] or call me at 935-9594. Sarah Williams tion. Seeming to do is not doing.” selves why we serve, and our Mission On behalf of Debbie, Pam and Connie, As we continue to focus on expanding the Statement does that quite clearly. As the thanks for everything you do for the OCBA. Advertising Acct Exec Jessica Misun membership and reach of the OCBA, we OCBA, we serve in order to do three things: Our future is unlimited because of you! For advertising information, call 278-2820.

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