Editor's Notes
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Command Master Chief Coniglione on his transfer to the Fleet Reserve. It should be happening about the time you receive this issue. His farewell to NMOC troops is printed on page 27. Be sure to read it. I believe what the Master Chief is saying is what the NWSA is all about. ------JOB OPPORTUNITY New Private Weather Service Sees Forecaster
Pacific Coast Forecasting at Nav Nuys Airport provides corporate aviation with weather and flight planning services. The company also supports other industries including motion picture, media, and racing. Experienced help is needed for this fast growing company. The owners/partners (all xAGs) are in need of another forecaster with aviation experience. This is a ground floor opportunity with excellent potential for the right situation. If you're interested in full or part time work in an excellent environment, call today. Mike Wittman Pacific Coast Forecasting 7415 Hayvenhurst Place Van Nuys CA 91406 877-Fly-4PCF
Greetings. I maintain a WEB site with information about Pilot Balloon Theodolites. I am trying to find a pibal graphing set. I have never seen one, but they are described in the Winds Aloft series up through 1972. Do you have any information where some might be languishing? Also, I would be interested in even a photocopy of a manual for a Marine Theodolite. These are gimbal mounted theodolites that operate like a sextant to make pibal observations. There is an illustration of one in the Manual of Winds- Aloft Observations, Circular 0, Sept 1959. Thanks for any assistance you can give me. Martin Brenner CSULB College of the Arts
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
The members of the Naval Weather Service Association can be described as generous, munificent, committed, ungrudging and very supportive of Deacon Holden's call to fill the computer fund coffers. The response was overwhelming and very gratifying. Approximately 45% of our total membership contributed to the computer fund and I am pleased to say that our Secretary/Treasurer and Editor of The Aerograph now have new Association computers to enhance the efficiency of their work. A big "Thank You" to all NWSA members. This is an indication of a great organization whose people care about our continued viability. Deacon Holden was responsible for the organization and implementation of the computer fund project. He invested not only his time and talent, but also his private resources in order to carry out the challenge. The SOCAL Chapter was also instrumental in providing resources to get the campaign off the ground. A big "Thank You" goes to Deacon and the SOCAL Chapter. Have you had an opportunity to visit the Naval Weather Service Association WEB site lately? Bob Agness initiated the site a few years ago and for that we are grateful. Recently, Mahlon Trenz became our Webmaster and has done a tremendous job expanding the myriad of data now available. This medium provides us with an ongoing opportunity to recruit new members and to visit many other related sites with which we have links. A big "Thank You" to Mahlon Trenz for doing an outstanding job. Finally, it has been an interesting year for me personally. Thanks for the opportunity and privilege of serving NWSA as president. It has been a real pleasure. NWSA President Norm Macomber
NEW E-9 SELECTEES Jim Stone passed along the following names from the April 12 issue of Navy Times. Raymond Chappell Michael Joern Douglas Maxwell Congratulations from NWSA
NWSA Scholarship Fund
Sec/Treas Jim Stone tells me we've had 54 of you added to our fund since the February issue. You've done it in almost equal parts. That is, $1,285.00 has been earmarked for this year's program and $1,275.00 goes to principal. This means a total of 94 shipmates have come on board since Sawgrass. To each of you a very special "Thank You!" In the February issue, Jim Stone reported he had received responses from 40 with a split in the amount of $1166.75 to the 1999 fund and $1,311.75 to Principal. This brings total contributions to this years program to $2451.75 and the principal to $2586.75. Interest earned on our investments will be added to the amount available for this year's program. A number of local Chapters are also collecting funds, some to memorialize shipmates. So our total still grows. I can tell you that there is also a growing list of very special applicants. Many [and many of their parents also] have conveyed their appreciation to NWSA for having such a program. I think they all realize that it adds a special meaning to our lives to do this. If you have been inclined to write a check, but as yet haven't, any time is a good time to join our effort. Whether giving in memory of a friend or doing it "just because", these future leaders of America can use our help. Many are struggling with the ballooning financial challenge yet pushing forward to meet the challenge. Let's give them a hand! And Thank You, Again, Mo Gibbs - Chairman
NEW E-8 SELECTEES Lloyd Corbett forwarded this list.
Cappeller, Ger Chetsas, Steph Clontz, James Deicke, Arthur Doolittle, Ger Sprenger, Sand Uncapher, Jame Womack, Susan
Congratulations from NWSA
Think of how other people should act, then start acting that way yourself.
FROM THE SECRETARY/TREASURER'S DESK 12 Jan 1999
As of this date, we have 748 members. This total includes 334 Life Members. There are 274 whose dues expire 30 June 1999. IF YOU ARE IN THAT GROUP, YOUR LABEL IS HILITED IN RED ON THIS ISSUE. Renew now and beat the rush. THANKS
Just a brief word about the new computers and software - we have been assured by the suppliers that they are Y2Kcompatible.
THE CUTOFF DATE FOR THIS ISSUE WAS 11 May 1999
SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM
LT FRANK A. BAILLIE, USN RET LCDR JACK C. HANSEN, USN RET AGCS L. B. "PETE' PETERSON, USN RET xLT LOUIS BANCHERO, USN REL xAGI GENE HATHAWAY, USN REL xAG1 PAUL D. PETTERSON, USN REL xAG2 LARRY BENCH, USN REL CDR DAVE HOLLAND, USN RET AGCS(AW/SW) ED PURLAWESKI, USN RET xAG2 ROY BLACKMER, USN REL LCDR FRANK IVIE, USN RET AGCS FRED QUIRK, USN RET CDR CARL BLAES, USN RET AGCS CARL KAEMPFER USN RET LT ROBERT ROBERSON, USN RET AGCS KEN BODEN, USN RET CDR ROBERT D. KEPHART. USN RET CAPT DIETER K. RUDOLPH, USN CDR RANDY COLEMAN, USN RET MRS LILLIAN KLIM CAPT RICHARD J. RYAN, USMC RET CAPT LEO H. CRAGLOW, USN RET CDR ARTHUR C. KRANZ, USN RET AGCM BUD SCOTT, USN RET MRS JUNE CRAWFORD CAPT RODGER A. LANGLAND, USN RET CAPT JOHN SEARS, USN RET AGCS DAN DANIEL, USN RET AGCS PAUL LAZARUS, USNR RET CAPT EDWARD SNOPKOWSKI, USN RET xAERM1ic GLEN DRUMMOND, USN REL AGCS(AW) DAVE LUNCH. USN RET AGCS ROBERT & AGCS BARBARA AGCS PHIL D. DUNCAN, USN RET LCDR DENNY MALJEVAC, USN RET SRODULSKI, USN RET AGC JOSEPJ DeROSIA, USN RET AGCS GENE MERRILL, USN RET LCDR MORRIS SUMMEY, USN RET CDR THOMAS FITZPATRICK, USN RET AGCS JOHN MIGALEDDI, USN RET AGCS HARRY WHITWORTH, USN RET AGCS ROSS K. GARDNER, USN RET CAPT JOHN NEGELE, USN RET AG1 BILL WILLIS, USN RET CDR MO GIBBS, USN RET CDR MARTY NEMCOSKY, USN RET LCDR BETTY WINTERSTEEN, USN RET CDR DICK GILMORE, USN RET LCDR RALPH NEWBERRY, USN RET MRS. AMELIA ZIZZI AGC GEORGE L. GLEASON, USN RET AGC MARTIN L. NILES, USN RET CAPT GLEN D. HAMILTON, USN RET CWO A. G. "MIKE" O'BRIEN, USN RET
HAMPTON ROADS CHAPTER NWSA, IN MEMORY OF CHARLIE HUDOCK
OUR NEWEST LIFE MEMBERS
LCDR JACK C. HANSEN. USN RET #340 AGC JOHN RODRIGUEZ, USN RET #339 LCDR CHRIS MOREN, USN RET #341 AGCS L. B. "PETE" PETERSON, USN RET 342
COMPUTER FUND DONATIONS
The response to the request for donations was successful. The list of those who contributed is elsewhere in this issue. The donation from Mary Jane Hudson was in memory of "Doc" The donation from xAG2 Alvin Berry was in memory of his wife, Gail Airship Chapter donated the chapter portion of the proceeds of a 50/50 drawing. We owe a big thanks to Deacon Holden and "his" mailing company for their contribution to the mailing effort and also to SOCAL Chapter for their financial support to get this project started. There was no expense to NWSA for this special mailing.
GIFT MEMBERSHIPS WERE RECEIVED FROM
LT FRANK BAILLIE, USN RET CDR DICK GILMORE, USN RET AGC JIM STONE, USN RET CDR MO GIBBS, USN RET CDR DAVID B. HOLLAND, USN RET LCDR JACK C. HANSEN, USN RET xAGI GENE HATHAWAY. USN REL AGCM SAMMY K. ERWIN, USN RET AGC FAY CROSSLEY, USN RET AGC ANDREW GROSHEIDER, USN RET
OUR NEWEST MEMBERS ( NEW OR DUES EXPIRED MORE THAN ONE, YEAR AGO) (SEE ADDRESS UPDATE LIST)
AGC THOMAS J. AGER, USN RET xAG3 JIM NORTHUP. USN REL AGCS(AW) DON W. KIM, USN AGC WILLIE D. FLOURNOY, JR, USN RET xAG1 KARRY CORNELIUS, USN REL LCDR M. RAY THOMPSON, USN RET AGC MARTIN L. NILES, USN RET AGC A. "BILL" HOVLAND, USN RET CAPT GARY C. FISHER, USN RET AGC CHRIS CHRISTOPHERSON, USN RET AG1 GAIL T. SMITH. USN RET AG1 DALLAS R. LUNDY, USN RET AG1 CARL E. HARRISON, USN RET xAG2 LELAND F. EDTL, USN REL AGC WIL A. VIK. USN RET
NORMAN R. MACOMBER Master Chief Aerographer's Mate. U.S.Navy (Retired) NWSA Vice President 1997-1998 NWSA President 1998-1999
Norm Macomber was born in the town of Wilton, Maine (population less than 4,000 then and now) on September 2, 1928--the year after Charles Lindbergh flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Wilton is famous as the home (until April. 1998. when the operation moved to Puerto Rico) of G.H Bass, the maker of Bass "Weejuns" or what many call the "penny loafer." Norm graduated from Wilton Academy in the spring of 1946 and joined the Navy on October 4th of that year. After recruit training at Bainbridge, Maryland Norm was ordered to the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey for the first of what would turn out to be four tours of duty. He graduated from the Aerographer's Mate Primary School ("A" School) in Class 87 and was then transferred to the Pacific area where he spent the next six years--at duty stations such as Fleet Weather Central Pearl, USS PCE-903. Naval Station Johnston Island and Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay. He spent 1949-1951 enjoying shore duty at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey before reporting for sea duty in USS NEWPORT (PF-27), homeported in Japan. Next came a tour of duty at the Fleet Weather Central Kodiak. The next fourteen years were spent on and off the U. S. east coast. In 1953 Norm returned to Lakehurst for AG(B) School, was retained on board as an AG(A) School instructor, and then went to sea in USS TARAWA (CVS-40) operating out of Quonset Point during the years 1957-1959. Duty assignment number three at Lakehurst then followed, 1959-1962. Next came orders to the Naval Air Facility, West Mailing, England--and advancement to Master Chief Petty Officer. When West Mailing ceased operations in the summer of 1964 Norm returned to Lakehurst for the fourth time. He retired from active duty there in September, 1966. School had become a way of life for Norm, and that continued after retirement from the Navy. He attended The College of New Jersey (Trenton State College) for the next two and one-half years, graduating in January, 1969 with a Bachelors of Arts degree and a Secondary Education teaching certificate. After some graduate-level education at Rutgers University he began his civilian school teaching career which lasted for the next twenty years. Norm taught American History and Sociology at Lakewood High School in New Jersey until February, 1989. Norm and Marilyn married in 1950 while stationed in Monterey and they have lived on Brookside Drive in Toms River, New Jersey (home of the 1998 Little Leage World Champions) since 1959. They have three grown children--two sons and a daughter (Scot, Dale and Kelly). Norm is an ardent supporter and a Life Member of the Naval Weather Service Association. He has served on the NWSA Scholarship Committee as well as in other leadership positions.
"We, who remain to carry on, should not think of our Shipmates as departed from us, but rather as having been transferred to a celestial ship or station, where we hope all of us may be Shipmates again." "Author Unknown"
NECROLOGY
LCDR Charlie House, USN RET Died October 1996
Mrs. Margery Darling, wife of CAPT David D. Darling, USN RET Died July 15, 1998
Mrs. Patricia Shoemaker, wife of CDR James Shoemaker, USN RET Died October 1, 1998
AGC Robert Ryan, USN RET Died December 1998
Mrs. Laura Lillienthal, wife of AGCM Bill Lillienthal, USN RET Died February 22, 1999
LCDR Don J. Dennis, USN RET Died February 27, 1999
Mrs. Gayle Berry, wife of xAG2 Alvin F. Berry. USN RET Died March 14, 1999
Memories or The Day Neil F. O'Connor Became a Christian By: Ken Boden
Neil came to Whidbey Island in early 1947 and was an amateur photographer as well a very good Aerm2! One day he said he wanted to get a good photo of the Deception Pass Bridge, and I told him the best way was by air. I had my pilot's license and access to a Piper Super Cruiser. The only thing wrong with that aircraft is that the pilot sets all by himself in front and either one or two passengers can sit in the back. To make a long story even longer, we flew over the bridge a couple of times and he took photos. Then I suggested that we ought to take one or two pictures going under the bridge. We flew under, all the time Neil protested profusely! Problem was he couldn't get a picture of the bridge looking forward - I was in the way and he couldn't get one out the side windows because the high wing was in the way. So, on the next pass I took his camera, held the stick between my knees and took two photos. I swear, when I turned to hand his camera to him the only reason he wasn't on his knees was that there just wasn't enough room for Neil to kneel! !
NWSA REUNION # 25
Interesting Tours Scheduled for 25th NWSA Reunion in Monterey The 25th Annual Reunion of NWSA in Monterey California next June will feature two guided coach tours as described below.
SOUTH ALONG THE BIG SUR COAST Thursday 3 June: Bus departs Hyatt Regency at 0900 and returns at about 1400; cost is $20 (entry fees and tip included). The first stop will be at the beautiful Point Lobos State Reserve where Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired to write some of his most famous works while living in Monterey. Then we will drive south along the Big Sur Coast which has been called the world's greatest meeting of land and sea. We will stop for lunch near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park which has the southern most groves of Coast Red-woods. You will be able to buy lunch or if you prefer you can bring a bag lunch with you. After lunch we will drive North (so the folks on the other side of the bus will have their chance for the most spectacular views) to Carmel Valley and a stop at one of the local wineries for tasting the fruit of the vine.
STEINBECK COUNTRY Friday 4 June: Bus departs Hyatt Regency at 0900 and returns at about 1400; cost is $20 (entry fees and tip included). Salinas was the home of John Steinbeck and the Salinas Valley was the setting for many of his books. Our first stop will be in the town of Salinas at the new National Steinbeck Center which was opened in 1998 to honor one of America's greatest writers. Driving through the Salinas Valley which is truly the salad bowl of America we will next visit historic San Juan Bautista. Here we can see one of the finest examples of the California Missions as well as other historic buildings from the Old West which are now part of a State Park. Those interested in geology will be able to actually see the San Andres fault line which passes just east of town. We will buy our lunch in San Juan Bautista at a Mexican restaurant or you may buy or bring a bag lunch and eat it in the park. On our return trip to Monterey we will stop for a wine tasting.
MARITIME MUSEUM OF MONTEREY Many of you Monterey Old-timers will remember the "Allen Knight Maritime Museum" located downtown Monterey and formed by the late Admiral Stone upon his retirement as Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School in 1972. About 1992. the Monterey History and Art Assn, in co-operation with the City of Monterey and the State of California, built the Stanton History Center on Custom House Plaza near the Fisherman's Wharf area. This specially designed building was built to show off the magnificent First Order Fresnel Lense and associated mechanical components. This is the light and light assembly that was built in Paris, France in about 1888, shipped around Cape Horn, and installed on the large rock at Pt. Sur, about 21 miles south of the Monterey Peninsula. Here this Fresnel lense operated continuously until about 1972, when the light source was replaced by a more modern aerobeacon. At the Maritime Museum of Monterey you will have a rare opportunity to view this Fresnel light assembly, up close and working, shining its beacon out across the Plaza and Fisherman's Wharf. In addition to the Point Sur light you will find two decks of many interesting rare nautical artifacts. Join us for a nautical evening complete with hors d'oeuvres and a no host bar (an extension of our Hostess Room). By chance if you are still hungry after the Mari-time visit, many excellent restaurants are within easy walking distance of the museum.
OTHER TOURS In addition to the two tours described above, free walking tours of Old Monterey (the historic adobe district) will be arranged for those interested. It is expected that self guided tours will be offered Wednesday afternoon and that a special guided walk will be made available Saturday afternoon.
Golf Information for Reunion 25 in Monterey
The Reunion Golf tournament is scheduled for Friday morning at 0800 at the Navy course. The Navy course is very close to the Reunion hotel. It is a relatively short and flat course and many players may choose to walk. Thus cart fees were not included in the registration fee. Power carts at $16 each are available as well as pull carts. Al-though we will use the Calloway system for handicapping, please provide your handicap or estimated score so we can pair you with golfers of similar ability. If you have preferences for playing partners, let us know and we will try to arrange it. Other public courses, their rates (subject to change) and their telephone numbers are:
Pebble Beach $275 800-654-9300 Spanish Bay $16 800-654-9300 Spyglass Hill $200 800-654-9300 Rancho Canada $55 or $70 831-624-0111 Del Monte (at our hotel) $65 831-373-2700 Laguna Seca $55 831-373-3701 Poppy Hills $135 831-625-2035 Bayonet (old Ft Ord) $60 831-899-7271 Bayonet still has some special rates for military and the new operators have it in "Country Club" shape. It is as tough as any and probably the best deal.
Call Harry Nicholson at 831-375-2884 if you have questions.
RV Parks in the Monterey CA Area
BEST BET: Monterey Pines RV Campground, MWR Dept., Code N5, Naval Support Activity Monterey Bay, Monterey, CA 93943 Located off Garden Road by County Fair Grounds, at Navy Postgraduate School Golf Course Tel:(831) 656-4029
30 Full Hook Up sites (water, electricity, sewer) $12 per day for retirees and family. 8 Partial Hook Up sites (water, electricity) $10 per day. Military retirees may make reservations four months in advance. Civil service retirees are not eligible to use the camp grounds. VISA and MasterCard accepted. Bathhouse with restrooms and showers, laundry room (coin-operated). Separate dump station.
OTHER RV PARKS: Cypress Tree Inn, 2227 North Fremont, Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 372-7586
Laguna Seca County Recreation Area HWY. 69 - Between Monterey and Salinas (831) 422-6138 / 1-888-588- 2267
Marina Dunes RV Park, 3330 Dunes Dr., Marina Off HWY. 1, Reservation Rd. exit near Marina (North of Monterey) (831) 384-6914
Riverside RV Park, Schulte Rd., Carmel Valley (off Cannel Valley Rd) (831) 624-9829
Saddle Mountain Recreation Park, Schulte Rd., Cannel Valley (831) 624-1617
Veterans Memorial Park, Jefferson & Skyline, Monterey, CA 40 sites, first come, first served - no reservations. $15 per day, no hook ups. (831) 646-3865
Daily Schedule for 25th NWSA Reunion Monterey, CA 2 - 6 June, 1999
Wednesday, June 2 1200 - 1600 Reunion Registration (hotel lobby) 1300 1430 Board Meeting 1300 - 1800 Hospitality Room open 1800 - 1930 Cocktail Party (no host) 1930 - 2400 Hospitality Room open
Thursday, June 3 0700 - 1000 Hospitality Room open 0800 - 1430 Reunion Registration (hotel lobby) 0900 - 1400 Big Sur Coast Tour 1500 - 1630 General Meeting 1200 - 1730 Hospitality Room open 1730 - 1900 Maritime Museum -Tour and Refreshments 1900 - 2400 Hospitality Room open
Friday, June 4 0700 - 1700 Hospitality Room open 0800 - 1300 Golf 0900 - 1400 Steinbeck Country Tour 1700 - 2000 Barbeque 2000 - 2400 Hospitality Room open
Saturday, June 5 0700 - 1800 Hospitality Room open 1000 - 1130 General meeting (CNMOC briefing) 1300 - 1400 FNMOC tour 1400 - 1500 Board Meeting 1800 - 1900 Pre banquet cocktails (no host) 1900 - 2200 Banquet 2200 - 2400 Hospitality Room open
Sunday, June 6 0700 - 1000 Hospitality Room open
Note: When the Registration desk in the lobby is not open, registrations will be accepted in the Hospitality Room. Hotel Reservation Request Form NAVAL WEATHER SERVICE ASSOCIATION Twenty-fifth Annual Reunion, June 2 - 6, 1999 HYATT REGENCY MONTEREY One Old Golf Course Road Monterey, CA 93940 USA 1-831-372-1234, 1-800-233-1234 (Toll Free), 1-831-372-4277 (Fax)
This Reservation Request must be received at the above address by April 30, 1999. Use phone or fax (numbers above) to revise or cancel your reservation. CHECK IN TIME: 3:00 PM (1500 Hours) CHECK OUT TIME: 12 NOON (1200 Hours)
Name of Person Requesting Room Arrival Date: ______
Departure Date: Last Name First Name
Naval Weather Service Association ______Names of Additional Persons Sharing Room Organization Street Address
City State Zip
Phone Number Including Area Code Please Indicate Room Preference (Use a separate form for each room you require.)
_____ Single Occupancy $95.00 + 10% Room Tax Double Occupancy $95.00 + 10% Tax
_____ Triple Occupancy $120.00 + 10% Tax Quadruple Occupancy $145.00 + 10% Tax
______View Room, additional $25.00 + 10% Tax
Rooms must be guaranteed by a major credit card or by full payment of room plus tax in advance. A fee of $50.00 will be charged for early departure.
I understand I am liable to pay for one night's room plus tax in the event I cancel my reservation within 72 hours of my scheduled arrival date.
Type Credit Card ______Card Number ______
Expiration Date ______Cardholder's Name
This hotel complies with the public accommodation requirements of the American with Disabilities Act so please indicate below if your party has any special needs for disabled registrants.
Signature
Registration Form for the 25t" Annual Reunion of the Naval Weather Service Association June 2 -6, 1999 at The Hyatt Regency in Monterey, California
Member's Title Member's First Name Member's Last Name
Member's Name on Reunion Badge Spouse/Primary Guest's Name on Reunion Badge
Street Address
City State ZIP Code
Area Code and Phone Number Do not fill in (this space for reunion committee use)
Additional Guest I Full Name Additional Guest 2 Full Name
Total number of persons in your party (including spouse and/or guests): ______
Number of rooms reserved at Hyatt Regency Monterey (including guests): ______
Number attending No Host Cocktails Wednesday Evening (including guests): ______
Number attending tour of Fleet Numerical Saturday Afternoon (including guests): ______
Planned arrival date: _____ / ___ / Planned departure date: _____ / ____ / ____
NOW PLEASE CALCULATE YOUR TOTAL FEES Registration Fees ($10 for member plus $5 for spouse plus $5 for each guest) ______= $ (Thu AM) Tour to Point Lobos and Big Sur X $20.00 = $ (Thu Eve) Reception at Maritime Museum X 10.00 = $
(Fri AM) Golf X 30.00 = $
(Fri AM) Tour to Steinbeck Country and Museum X 20.00 = $
(Fri Eve) Barbeque Buffet X 30.00 = $
(Sat Eve) Banquet and Dancing X 40.00 = $ Total Due: $ Make check payable to: NWSA Reunion 25 Mail to: Howard Lewit, 1460 Manor Place, Monterey CA 93940-4911 (Ph: 831-646-0822)
Notice: All tours are subject to cancellation (and full refund) if too few sign up for the tour. As of 21 April these NWSA members and their spouses, where applicable, were registered for NWSA's 25th Reunion at Monterey.
Lewit, Howard Mullen, Claude Struck, Gerald Pingel, Jack Cullen, Carl Williams, Forrest Houston, Sam Wrenn, Ralph Nicholson, Harry Trask, Ace Ward, Conley Snopkowski, Edward Ivie, Frank Mautner, Donald Kalinyak, Mary Hamilton, Glenn Clarke, Leo Jacobs, Zane Petit, Pete Goodland, Herb Cruse, Donald Milford, Victor Ledbetter, Wayne Bullington, Jack Barr, John Gleason, George Gilmore, Richard McGeyhcy, Francis Edgren, Don Odbcrt, Trudy Titus, Robert Armstrong, Colin Hennessey, Raymond Sokol, David Darling, Dave Finney, Sadie Chesmore, Kenneth Agness, Robert Willis, Bill Holden, Deacon Robinson, Frederick Russoy, George Langdon, Howard Plante, Robert Halminski, Sylvester Forsberg, Robert Drummond, Glen Merrill, Harold White, Charles Klapp, Anthony Olson, Frederick Macomber, Norman Gustafson, Earl Burris, Willard Blaes, Carl Arnold, William Maloney, John Handlers, Robert Kincannon, William Le Grande, Jake Hosted, Richard Mauck, Charlie Schramm, William Carlstead, Edward Lazarus, Paul Englebretson, Ronald Pettigrew, Charles Romano, James Tarnowski, Lois Bierly, Joann Nemcosky, Martin Rodriguez, John Valle, Tim (SOY) Boatman, Dudley Erdei, Elmer Herman, Richard Valente, Ed Stone, James Morris, Carl Steinbruck, Charles Reynolds, Ralph Gibbs, Maurice Salvato, Jack Isnardi, Anthony Bowers, Bill Hays, Rich Williams, H. Samuel Berrian, George (Dee) LETTERS
Dear Bill, Received "The Aerograph" yesterday and, as usual, read the entire magazine before putting it down. Keep up the good work, Bill! Reading Dan Collin's letter I felt he said many things that many of us might have been thinking for sometime. NWSA has had some good years since taking off on Lloyd Bellinger's list. Let me quote part of one of Lloyd's letters - "When I first came up with the idea in 1966, it was to locate a few old shipmates. The cost of this listing was less than buying everyone a beer - at that time. Along with your letters I started receiving contributions. In order to keep this a fun project, I must continue in this fashion. One day I know I shall have to stop - but until then NO more questions about dues." I think Lloyd's letter says some of the same ideas as Dan Collin's letter. I am sure the NWSA membership will respond to Dan's letter - don't be surprised to a favorable response. Leo "Tiny" Hortch ------I also thought we would get some response from Dan's letter, Leo, but this is the only one I've received. I think Prez Norm might have had some - we'll find out in Monterey. Bill
Letter to the Editor Because I received such a great response from the letter I wrote awhile back on AG's serving during the Forrestal fire, I decided to try it again. In the past few weeks I've heard from old shipmates of 30 plus years ago, and it has been great! ! Thanks to all concerned for the opportunity. Some of you might recall pulling the "duty" while attending B School at Lakehurst. One duty night I'll never forget came in April of 1961. I was the duty master-at-arms in good of barracks A and was making my rounds just before taps. I moved towards an area where I could hear, from some distance, a few young sailors having some fun and generally skylarking. I barked at them as I approached and they came back with those age old nautical gestures and catcalls that young sailors are prone to make on such occasions. I barked louder and they all scrambled...all but one that is. I collared him and proceeded to apply some special, personalized Leadership. His name was AGAA John Pasacane and after working for me for 4-6 hours after taps, scrubbing up a gear locker, a passageway and portions of a head...he surely knew me. I never saw John again while I was at Lakehurst...I suppose he may have tried to avoid me. Anyway, a few months later while I was standing the mid watch at FWCIJTWC Guam, we got a call from Agana that a young AG was down there and needed a ride up to Nimitz Hill where our two story quonset hut was located. We dispatched one of the troops in our duty pickup truck and within the hour a tired, scraggly, disheveled and bewildered young sailor loaded down with his seabag came struggling in our front door on the second deck. I was analyzing a chart along side the forecast duty officer, so we had our backs turned to him as he approached with his orders in hand. We both turned to greet him and welcome him aboard, etc... and I recall a strained, respectful smile on his face that quickly turned to sheer terror as soon as he recognized me. It was the classic case of one picture being worth a thousand words. His eyes seemed t cry out, "Oh NO, I have to serve with this guy for the next two years." Within months John was a regular visitor at our house and even baby sat our kids. John was a great map plotter and a fair cook. He used to make us salami, provolone cheese and pimento sandwiches on hard rolls for the mid watches and we played softball together and we heartily celebrated those few games we won in that tough island league where we were the perennial whipping boys. After his discharge from the Navy, John invited us to his home to celebrate his young nephew entering the USN. Over the years we've kept in touch at Christmas and John and his family came down when I was piped over the side at Patuxent River. John lives just a few miles from my sister in Massachusetts and on a visit to her in the late 70s, I looked up his number in the phone book. His wife answered and said John was at work at his barber shop. So after not hearing my voice in years, he listened politely as I loudly spun this anonymous, wild yarn about how I was going to sue him because he had nearly scalped me the day before and almost cut my ear off etc.... This did not phase John...he merely said, "Man, sounds like you have a real problem..then..Fred, how long are you home for?" I'm proud to call John Pasacane one of my oldest and dearest friends, and I still marvel at how our relationship evolved from that fateful night when first we met in Barracks A. I loved the Navy, and this is just of the many reasons I did. Fred "Straight Skinny" Baillie ------Thanks for another good tale Fred. Fred will have more tales in future issues. Editor Letters written to Jim Stone
Dear Jim, As a WW2 AerM1/c, I read over and again the letters and accounts of shipmates I never saw or knew. The Aerograph brings an intimacy with and respect for my field of service. and the men and women who made it the best `"Rate" in the Nay. I recall an instructor at the school in Lakehurst who wanted so much to be in Aerology, that he took a downgrade from 1/c in another rating to Aerm2/c. That's AMORE! Lester Gluck ------We thank you for the note Lester. And we're glad you enjoy The Aerograph. Bill
Aloha Jim,
I’m writing today to provide you with an address change and a brief update on my current activities. Two weeks ago, I was hired by the State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Office of Environmental Evaluation and Emergency Response (HEER) to head two of the State's newest EPA sponsored, environmental programs, namely: 1) the Voluntary Response Program, and 2) the Brownfield's Program. For the past three years, and prior to taking the State of Hawaii positions, I served as the Managing Environmental Specialist for the U.S. Postal Service's Pacific Operations - a territory that included the environmental management of over 180 U.S. Postal Facilities across the State of Hawaii and those of our Nation's Pacific Territories (Guam. Saipan, Samoa, etc....). In addition to the above, I have also recently been accepted into the Bernard E. Witkin School of Law at William Howard Taft University, for pursuit of a Juris Doctorate degree and California Bar Association qualification. I will be starting my 4 year study in May of this year via combined residency and distant learning program requirements. I hope you are doing well . . . and, THANK YOU for doing such a great job helping to keep our organization viable and intact. Dennis Stebbins ------Thanks for the update, Denny. Sounds like you are keeping busy. We second your THANKS to Jim Stone. We will have to keep him around for a while. Bill Dear Jim, Please find enclosed a check for $16 for the computer fund. I received my new Florida auto tags the other day, NEL2TLH. It is a constant reminder of my NATTC Lakehurst roots and move to the Sunshine State. I heard from shipmate Lloyd Corbett, who now lives in Valdosta GA, about an hour away from Tallahassee. Shipmate Larry Alemi AG2 REL, was coming up for a dog show and the three of us were trying to get together. I couldn't make it at the last minute because of a wedding. but we hope to try again. I was in Naples FL on business a couple weeks ago and went to the PGA Seniors Tournament at the Bay Colony Club in Naples. I ran into an old shipmate, xAG2 Larry Laroetti, of cigar fame, now a standard on the Senior tour. Larry and I were stationed together at FWC Guam during the late Fifties. I walked about five holes with him and we swapped sea stories and "what ever happened to" queries. He said to say hello to all his old running mates from Guam and San Diego. Good luck with the computer fund. Jerry Dufford ------Sounds like a fun business trip Jerry. Isn't it funny how we often run into people in the strangest places. Bill
THE SILENT RANKS
I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens. But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen. I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live. I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get. But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget. I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind. My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man, and the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free. My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me. I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life. But I stand among the silent ranks know as the Military Wife. Author Unknown
The following was received via e-mail and is passed for information.
FM DFAS CENTER CLEVELAND OH//FFR// TO AIG FOUR SIX SEVEN SIX AIG FOUR SIX SEVEN EIGHT BT UNCLAS //N07220// MSGID/GENADMIN/DFAS-CL CTR/FFR// SUBJ/SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) CORRECTIONS TO 1994 FICA/MEDICARE WAGES/ WITHHOLDING// MILITARY PAY ADVISORY 17/99 RMKS/1. DFAS-CL REPORTS SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WAGES AND WITHHOLDING TO THE SSA ANNUALLY. THIS REPORTING REQUIRES A TOTAL OF THREE TAPES FOR ACTIVE DUTY NAVY ACCOUNTS. DUE TO AN ERROR AT THE SSA. IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE THREE TAPES SENT TO THE SSA TO REPORT 1994 WAGES AND WITHHOLDING BY DFA S-CL WAS NOT PROCESSED. CONSEQUENTLY, APPROXIMATELY ONE THIRD OF NAVY MEMBERS WHO WERE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN 1994 DID NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS PERIOD WITH THE SSA. 2. ALTHOUGH THE UNPROCESSED TAPE HAS BEEN DISPOSED OF BY THE SSA, DFAS-CL WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE TAPE, WHICH IS BEING DELIVERED TO THE SSA THIS DATE. 3. THE SSA HAS ADVISED THAT IT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH FOR THE FILE TO BE PROCESSED AND THE MISSING CREDITS TO BE REFLECTED ON INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS. SERVICE MEMBERS SHOULD BE ADVISED TO ALLOW THE SSA THIS TIME TO PROPERLY CREDIT THEIR ACCOUNTS BEFORE REQUESTING THE STATUS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE BEEN CREDITED PROPERLY.// BT #0923
THE FIVE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS ONE COULD HEAR IN THE US NAVY Received from: Skip Cline
5. A Seaman saying, "I learned this in Boot Camp..." 4. A Petty Officer saying, "Trust me, sir..." 3. An Ensign saying, "Based on my experience..." 2. A Lieutenant saying, " I was just thinking..." 1. A Chief Chuckling, "watch this s….."
Zemo Tarnowski Stained Glass AG Emblem Prior to the NWSA-24 reunion. Lois Tarnowski sent the Southeast Chapter a stained glass piece of art originally made as a raffle prize to be awarded at the Corn Field Reunion held by the Chanute School Group. Ski won the piece and it remained hanging in his home until his death. It was displayed in the hospitality room at the 24th, but was not made available by any means. The Southeast Chapter offers the piece, as a raffle, to all hand for contributions of five dollars per ticket. Addition- ally, the Southeast Chapter will match the first five dollars of the first 100 contributors. Your contributions are not limited to five dollars, but the Southeast Chapter ill only match the first five. You will receive one chance for each five dollars you contribute. The stained glass piece is about two feet wide and one foot high. The AG emblem is blue on white with a neat border around the whole thing. It n. ouid look nice in your picture window. You may purchase your raffle tickets by mail or in person at the Monterey Reunion. You do not have to be present to win. The piece will be shipped to your residence and insured. We invite everyone to participate in this event. The winner will be announced at the banquet in Monterey. All proceeds will be placed in the principal portion of the NWSA Scholarship Fund in the name of the Zemo Tarnowski family. I would add that Zemo was a lifetime member of the Southeast Chapter and the NWSA.
From:
(Include your full name and address (no postoffice box deliverys are possible.)
Enclosed is my check for $ _ . I will receive one chance on Zemo's Stained Glass piece for each five dollars enclosed. i.e. $25.00 will get you five chances and the first $5.00 will be matched by the Southeast Chapter. Mail your entries to: Howard Lewit, 1460 Manor Place, Monterey, CA 93940- 4911 Make note on your check "Zemo matching fund" Make checks payable to: NWSA Reunion 25 Mail entries must be received by June 1, 1999 to receive consideration. Please do not include your contribution with your reunion fees. Separate checks are urged.
The New Computers for NWSA Sec/Treas and Editor of The Aerograph are onboard.
A SUMMARY
In the first correspondence to his staff members after being installed as President of the Naval Weather Service Association for 1999-2000, President Macomber expressed his concern that NWSA had. for an extended period, relied on the use of privately ow ned computers by NWSA Sec/Treas and Editor of The Aerograph to accomplish their assigned task for NWSA. "This situation should not exist". he said. He reminded that NWSA should obtain the required Computer hardware and software to support the task of the NWSA Sec/Treas and the Editor of The Aerograph. Ike asked for ideas and suggestions on how to correct the situation. In his "The Prez. Says" column for the November 1998 Aerograph, President Macomber gave a brief overview of the situation and asked for support from the NWSA Membership in obtaining the necessary funds to remedy this discrepancy. By mid January 1999 it appeared that this plea for donations to the NWSA Computer Fund had not generated a significant response. At this point President Macomber asked the NWSA Sec/Treas, Jim Stone, Editor of The Aerograph, Bill Bowers and NWSA First Vice President, Deacon Holden ("a legwork team") to conduct an in-depth review of NWSA Computer requirements, evaluate the capabilities of the existing NWSA Computer hardware and software, plus developing recommendations for adequate replacement systems. The rationale being to present a more detailed and comprehensive review of the matter to the NWSA Membership in order to encourage their focus on the pressing need for assistance in the near term. For the next three weeks the "legwork team" involved them-selves in such action as; reviewing all types of information from Computer Manufactures, industry trade magazines and newspapers. Gleaning data from Computer Manufactures via phone and their Internet Web Sites. Also, visiting local Computer retailers to talk to sales reps and view displays of the latest PC Systems and obtain cost information. There was considerable helpful input from NWSA's own Computer "Gurus", Bob Agness and Mahlon Trenz regarding sources of quality computer systems and "after-sale" support. After sorting through the collected information and talking to lots of Computer nerds, it was agreed that Gateway Computer Company was the best overall choice for the Computers and "after-sale" support. The Gateway Pentium II, 400MHZ, 128MB SDRAM, 8.6GB HI), 56K V.09 FAX/Modem, 100MB internal Zip Drive, 17" Monitor. CD ROM, Windows 98 and other features was available for approximately $2000 each. It was determined that ample data was in-hand to provide a report to the NWSA Membership. along with reiteration of President Macomber's request for assistance. In view that the May 1999 Aerograph was some 2 '/2 months down the road, the big question became: "how do we get this report to the NWSA Membership sooner?". It was apparent that a special mailing was in order. Of course, preparing and mailing approximately 800 letters would require significant funding. Sec/Treas Jim Stone keeps a tight line on NWSA Funds, so dilemmar time. To say the least, it was an unexpected and delightful surprise when the NWSA SOCAL Chapter offered to pay the postage and a local mailing company donated the material and labor for printing and processing the mailing. The letters were mailed March 5. 1999. The rest is "gratifying" history. The response has been far beyond anyone's expectations. Jim Stone reported that the first responses were received March 9, 1999 and the letters just kept flooding his mail box daily. On March 14, 1999 Jim reported that over $3000 in donations had been received and by March 21, 1999 he said that he had received contributions that totaled $5,205. This represented responses from about 44% of NWSA's Membership. With this outstanding show of support from the NWSA Membership, on March 25. 1999 President Macomber advised that he would request authorization from the NWSA Executive Council to purchase two Computers, with the specifications listed above, from Gateway Computer Company. (As of April 10th. 360 responses to our letter have been received for a total of $7061.99) On March 26, 1999 President Macomber advised that the NWSA Executive Council had approved the request to purchase the two Computers, plus a HP 4200C Scanner for the Editor of The Aerograph. A couple of days later the purchase order for the two Computer Systems was placed with Gateway Computer Company. The Computers were delivered Aprils, 1999. Cost for the NWSA Sec/Treas Computer, with tax, was $2,167.70. Cost for the Editor of The Aerograph's Computer, with tax, was $2,188.15. Cost for the HP 4200C Scanner was $213.99. with tax. Total funds expended was $4,569.84. Shipping charges for the Computers were waived by Gateway due to a "promotion" that gave free shipping on orders placed at that time. The funds saved on shipping were used to purchase an additional two years of on site after- sale support, giving a total of three years of on site after-sale support. Both Jim Stone and Bill Bowers advise that their insurance companies confirmed that the Computers would be covered under a Homeowner/Renter plan. Bob Titus and the NWSA Finance Committee will check for an investment vehicle for the balance in the Computer Fund. It will be a small investment, but it will earn interest and be available for future use. A report on the Computer Fund will be presented at the NWSA 25th Reunion in Monterey. At the "kickoff" the project team was a bit apprehensive about what to expect from their effort. Their hopes receive an "after-burner" type boost by the generous donation from the NWSA SOCAL Chapter for the postage and the gracious benevolence of Allstates Mailing Inc. for material and labor for process the mailing (at no cost to NWSA). As already said, the response from the NWSA Membership is simply unbelievable. So, a "ship load" of the most sincere thanks go out to: President Macomber for his resolve and extraordinary leadership in obtaining the desired solution in this matter; to the "legwork team" for a bit of creditable work; to the NWSA SOCAL Chapter and Allstates Mailing Inc. for their timely generosity; to the NWSA Executive Council for their unanimous support; and above all, tons of thanks to the NWSA Membership for an outpouring of caring support for your Great Association! Gratifying to the MAX! Hi-fives to all. Congratulation Naval Weather Service Association...a hearty well done to all.
Regards to all, the "Project Team"
NOTES TO JIM STONE CONCERNING COMPUTER FUND
Dear Jim, I like Deacon's oar in "the water". Hope some other people like it too. Keep up the good work. Spring is just around the corner. Leo Hortch ------Dear Jim, Louise and I appreciate the work you and Bill Bowers are doing and hope you will continue. We missed the Jacksonville reunion, and with our advanced age it becomes a little more difficult to travel. But we wish to keep in touch. Keep up the good work. Forrest and Louise Price ------Jim, Hope funds are forthcoming soon to support the computer project. I am still doing consulting for the World Meteorological Organization. I depart for Geneva in 3 weeks - then on to Karachi & Ulan Batar - and then to Santo Domingo. Best regards, John Lincoln ------Dear Jim, Just a small donation to get our computer system out of the "stone" age. No pun intended. Keep up the good work!!! Chuck Fifield ------Hi Jim, Sure hope this helps a little. Not enough thanks can be extended to you or Bill Bowers. Thanks again, Jack Salvato ------Jim, You and Bill Bowers certainly deserve the best in equipment. You both do a great job and I don't see anyone volunteering to do this very important work. I'll see you in Monterey. Frank Schatzle ------Hello Jim, Most happy to help our updating your computer equipment. Do hope the response is most gratifying. Ed Van Brunt ------Dear Jim, Here is a check for the computer fund. I recently have purchased several computers from Gateway Computers. The most recent is a Pentium II, 350 MHZ with most of the bells and whistles that you listed, but the monitor is the next size smaller. I got by for less than $1500 and that includes shipping. I enjoy the quarterly newsletter. Especially enjoyed Mr. Collins recent view on continued participation in NWSA. I had the pleasure of working for him in Lakehurst in `67-68. David Athmann ------Hi Jim, Good luck in the computer fund raising effort. I have a Dell that meets your specs and I love it - not as much as my wife however! Bill King. ------Deacon always was a good salesman --- Bob Forsberg ------Jim Stone, Check enclosed along with dues. Do you want photos - Christmas cards, reunions? Have quite a bit of data on FWC Port Lyautey, French Morocco, in the 1950s. Rich Hayes ------Dear Jim, Enclosed is my donation for the computer upgrade program. Would have responded earlier but we just returned from a 2 and ½ week tour of Spain. It was great! Madrid was comfortable, but as we progressed south toward Seville and Grenada it was becoming increasingly warmer. Would not recommend a summer trip. Incidentally, If I can be of any assistance in providing art work for the Aerograph (or any of the chapters), please let me know. Most of my work is done in "Illustrator" on my Mac 6500/225, and could be forwarded as JPEG or faxed. You can check out some of my graphics at: http:llwww.cvnmoc.navy.mil/pub/wxtalk/wxtalk.htm You guys are dong a great job with the Aerograph. Neil O'Connor ------Dear Jim, Thanks to you and Bill Bowers for the work you do on behalf of the organization. Considering my short hitch (`48- '52) and principle duty, Sangley Point, it is great to see names from the past in the Aerograph. Jogs the memory, and generally in the best of ways. We did not do too bad, considering the stuff we are receiving on local TV, and with all the technology. But then, maybe after 50 years, I only remember the best. It seems that not much has changed as to whom you turn to get the work done. I know that many others feel as I do, appreciating the information and enjoyment brought about by the work of a few. I retired three years ago after 42 years as a bank operations officer. Along with that, I dropped out of the technology age (my choice), but recognize the need for it. Thanks a lot, keep up the good work. Dick Helmkamp ------Jim, A worthy goal. Good luck and will see you in Monterey. Don Mautner ------If you get enough from this appeal - how about getting a lap-top you can take to the reunions. Jack ------Glad I can help!
Items from the Old Navy Ahoy! - This old traditional greeting for hailing other vessels was originally a Viking battle cry. Between the Devil and the Deep (blue sea) - In wooden ships, the "devil" was the longest seam of the ship. It ran from the bow to the stern. When at sea and the "devil" had to be caulked, the sailor sat in a bo'sun's chair to do so. He was suspended between the "devil" and the sea the "deep" a very precarious position, especially when the ship was underway. Devil to Pay - The expression "devil to pay" is now used to describe having an unpleasant result from some action that has been taken, as in someone having done something wrong and, as a result, "there will be the devil to pay." Originally, this expression described one of the unpleasant tasks aboard a wooden ship. This "devil" was the wooden ship's longest seam in the hull. Caulking was done with "pay" or pitch (a kind of tar). The task of "paying the devil" (caulking the longest seam) by squatting in the bilges was despised by every seaman. (Atlantic & Pacific verions?) Binnacle List - A ship's sick-list. A binnacle was the stand on which the ship's compass was mounted. In the eighteenth century and probably before, a list was given to the officer or mate of the watch, containing the names of men unable to report for duty. The list was kept at the binnacle. Cup of Joe - Josephus Daniels (18 May 1862-15 January 1948) was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. Among his reforms of the Navy were inaugurating the practice of making 100 Sailors from the Fleet eligible for entrance into the Naval Academy, the introduction of women into the service, and the abolishment of the officers' wine mess. From that time on, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships could only be coffee and over the years, a cup of coffee became known as "a cup of Joe". Head - The "head" aboard a Navy ship is the bathroom. The term comes from the days of sailing ships when the place for the crew to relieve themselves was all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit, the integral part of the hull to which the figurehead was fastened. Port holes - The word "port hole" originated during the reign of Henry VI of England (1485). King Henry insisted on mounting guns too large for his ship and the traditional methods of securing these weapons on the forecastle and aftcastle could not be used. A French shipbuilder named James Baker was commissioned to solve the problem. He put small doors in the side of the ship and mounted the cannon inside the ship. These doors protected the cannon from weather and were opened when the cannon were to be used. The French word for "door" is "porte" which was later Anglicized to "port" and later went on to mean any opening in the ship's side, whether for cannon or not.
TRAVEL VIA THE MOON
We've been hearing about it for almost a year now ... Millennium - and where will you be? The next question from some would be "'how much will it cost?" Plan on one word .... Expensive! Hotels, if not already oversold for the event, are now averaging double (often more) than last year's prices. But for a mere $39,800 you can experience millennium TWICE. Your travel agent can have you in Paris to ring in the New Year at midnight, board Concorde 30 minutes later and jet you to New York in less than 4 hours arriving before 10pm, The one hour limo to Times Sq. will have you watching the ball falling for the second 2000. Your party of 94 people will continue to Hawaii and Acapulco for 11 more days of celebrating if the Y2K bug doesn't affect air routes along the way. Start packing. Travel deals that age well are offered by many hotels, but most are not available for millennium. CHOICE hotels, which include Sleep, Comfort, Clarion, Rode way & Econolodge, offer 30% discount if you have advance reservations and proof of age 50 (many wives will probably not qualify!) HILTON has a membership fee of $55 per year ($290 lifetime) for up to 50% off, if 60 or older. SHERATON will give 25% at most of their 600 properties if you prove you're 65 when asking for Senior Rate. Percentage off is left to each franchised hotel and will have "blackout" dates, but asking is always free, regardless of the hotel name or location. Try it! Airlines want seniors to fly with them too and most have booklets of senior coupons making it possible to fly in the lower 48 for an average $150 one way. The book of 4 coupons are made out to you so your traveling companion has to also have a book of coupons ($600) to get the same rate. Call each airline and get their price and restrictions, if any. But you're enroute to another part of the world and have a long flight ahead. Going west you want to fly with the sun. Heading east, depart just ahead of dinner with arrival around 8. Dinnertime departure is to avoid jet-lag for the next 2-3 days by taking off your usual meal time (plan on at least 2 hrs later for dinner service), no coffee, coke, chocolate (andmax 1 cocktail) before finishing dinner and GO TO SLEEP! Buckle up so your seat belt is showing, bury yourself in the pillows and blankets you collected as you boarded at the beginning of the flight, SLEEP Neck-collar, eye-blinds, slippers, earplugs, no tight or fashionable clothes that can't stand being "mussed-up", anything that helps you rest...do it. Excess tiring exercise that morning may help. If the movie is a good one, you must ignore it. Arrival around 8 or earlier means they'll serve breakfast around 6...Don't miss it! You've gotta convince your brain that it's morning, even though you only got 3-5 hours of poor sleep on this long flight. Get to your hotel, plead for a room NOW, park the baggage, cool shower and change duds, and get out and do the "'tourist," thing right away! NEVER NEVER lay down for a "Quick Nap"-That will set up Jet-lag for 1-2 nights. Light lunch, early dinner around 6 (near your hotel), and you can be in bed for a restful sleep by 8. In these days of overcrowded flights it doesn't happen very often, but if you happen to luck out and get a flight only 50% booked, try upgrading to a businesslfirst class seat that comes close to resembling a bed compared to coach seating. Frqt flyer miles or added cost must be considered here. Avoid center seats (Boeing 767 and Airbus have the least of these annoying seats). While your partner stays at your assigned seat, you can go "capture" the 2nd from the end seat in a middle empty row. If someone approaches and shows you're in the their seats, hang you head and return to your original assignment. If it turns out to be unassigned, lift the arm rests, get the blankies spread out, and you have a lay-out bed. On occasion, you may even see one of the partners lay out on blankets on the floor below these unassigned seats. Comfort and SLEEP are the buzz words here (Flt Attendants may not allow floor sleeping if the seat-belt sign comes on). If you are planning the double-millennium celebration on Concorde this New Year's Eve for $39,800, go ahead and stay awake fbr the event. You can sleep in the next century! WEATHER INSTRUMENTS
The following was received via e-mail from a Tim Vasquez in Norman, Oklahoma. It might be of interest to some our many on-line communicators. "Many of you might remember a few weeks back when I posted a message looking for low-cost weather instruments. Around that time I decided to visit Ebay (an Internet auction house) and found tons of good weather equipment that sells at intervals of 3 to 7 days. I snapped up a Taylor barograph and thermograph for $320 (both are now on my shelf ticking away happily). Last week there was a Belfort microbarograph that closed at only $450, along with some 1910's-vintage thermographs, and there are also a lot of fascinating meteorological antiques, books, and videos. I don't work a Ebay or have a vested interest in it, however, as a die-hard weather enthusiast I had a lot of fun browsing through the listings. The site is: Just thought some of you might be interested. By the way, Tim's address is [email protected] Biography of a "Gray Eagle" Capt. William J. Barnard, Naval Aviator USN (ret) Capt. Barnard was born in Amory, Miss. on 26 Nov. 1914 & spent most of his younger life in Birmingham, AL. He enlisted in the U.S.Navy on 5 April 1932 at Birmingham as an Apprentice Seaman & was sent to the Naval Training Station Norfolk, VA for recruit training. . In December of that year he was ordered to the USS Henderson (one of the two Navy transport ships then in commission). During the 13 months that he was attached to the Herder-son, he visited 24 ports from the east coast of the United States to northern China & cruised over 30,000 mi. at 12 kts max speed. During this time he was qualified as a First Helmsman & had the duty of steering the ship upon entering & leaving port among his other Seaman activities. In Feb, 1934 he was transferred to the USS Sonoma, one of the two Fleet Tugs in the Navy at that time. His time aboard the Sonoma was spent towing battle raft targets for fleet gunnery exercises as well as barges up & down the west coast. He was promoted to Seaman First Class at the time of his transfer. His promotion was a rarity at the time since promotions of any kind during those days were very rare. In fact his was the only promotion he had seen since coming into the Navy. Military pay was cut across the board by 15% at about the time of his promotion. Capt Barnard was next transferred to the USS Utah, a battleship commissioned in 1908 which was converted to a "radio controlled" bombing target vessel after the downsizing naval treaties of the twenties, He was assigned to the E (electricians) Division & passed the test for Electricians Mate Third Class before his discharge in January of 1935. He re-enlisted in Birmingham & was ordered to NAS Norfolk,VA where he requested & was assigned to the Aerological Office as a "striker". His promotion to Third Class Electricians rate came through but he was promised assignment to Primary Aerological School at NAS Lakehurst if he remained in the Aerological Office. By then he was hooked on the weather service & declined the third class rating to remain as a member of the "Fleet Weather Center Norfolk". The office consisted of Lt. Robert Hall Smith, later an Admiral; an Aerog 1/c, an Aerog 3/c, himself & an occasionally transient Aerographer for brief periods. As promised Capt. Barnard then left Norfolk to attend Primary Aerographers school at NAS Lakehurst, NJ with the 23 men of Class 13. Weather school staff & students hadcollateral duties as airship mooring crews & were part of the "mooring crew" for the German airship Hindenburg. They became a part of aviation history on 6 May 1937 when that airship burst into flame above them as the waited below to recieve the mooring lines. Fortunately no lives were lost from class 13 & the class was credited with saving many lives & assisting the victims in many ways. Each member of the class recieved Commendations from the NAS Commanding Officer, from Reich Marshall Hermann Goering, Chief of the German Luftwaffe & from the Governor of New Jersey. Then Commander, later Admiral Charles E. Rosendahl was the Lakehurst CO. & Lcdr Reichelderfer, later chief of the U.S Weather Bureau, was the XO.Class 13 graduated in June of 1937 & became known as "The Hindenburg Class" in Navy Aerology circles. At the time there were only 92 rated Aerographers in the entire Navy. His next duty assignment was Fleet Air Wing 3 staff at Fleet Air Base Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone & he was promoted to Aerog 3/c shortly after arrival. The new Petty Officer became part of a 3 man enlisted complement consisting of an Aerographer, a Yeoman & a Radioman. The "staff' Aerographer participated in all of the wing's advance base operations which entailed a trip to "Gitmo", Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a few months each year. In Cuba he worked with two Marine Aerographers, a PFC and a Corporal, at the base weather facility. The three weathermen pitched in with Public Works in the construction of a "new Aerological Office". It was a frame shack atop a knoll in the middle of the present airfield. Transport on these expeditions was via a seaplane tender which had been converted from a mine sweeper. Making solo pilot balloon soundings on these trips made him wish for a few extra arms & an extra eye to maintain sight of the balloon flight while he was recording data. A year later he was promoted to Aerog 2/c & found himself on another advanced base ops. A tender off loaded Barnard on Swan Island, a few hundred miles off the coast of Honduras. There was a title dispute between the US & British Honduras & the US needed to "show the flag". He disembarked via a dinghy & found only 12 adults & 14 children from Grand Cayman Island. His expeditionary equipment package allowed him to make four hourly observations & a daily pibal. Since there was no radio available for dissemination the data was only logged in. Three weeks later he awoke one morning & saw the tender lying off shore at anchor ending his "Robinson Crusoe" expedition. No explanation for the expedition was given & no record made of it to his knowledge. In August 1939 Capt. Barnard recieved orders to NAS Pensacola, FL. He had taken first class exams & the transfer orders arrived before any news of the test which were sent by surface mail. He arrived at the "Cradle of Naval Aviation" Pensacola six weeks later. A month later his promotion to Aerog I/c arrived. It was backdated two months & ordered him to relieve the first class on board. He taught Aerology at the Flight School along with his other duties. Flying in the rear seat as a Weather Observer developed his ambition to become an aviator himself. In the early spring of 1939 the Superintendent of Aviation Training appointed him to Naval Flight School in the next convening class. He was the second Navy Aerographer to graduate Flight School & be designated a Naval Aviation Pilot. The first had been then Chief Aerog. "Willy" Gruber who had graduated in 1928. Unknown to "Banrney his Hindenburg classmate, now Captain USMC Ret, Dick Ryan was in flight training at the same time & would get his wings later in the same year Captain Barnard graduated Flight School in late Oct of 1941 & was assigned to the staff of Fleet Air Wing 7, based aboard the USS Albemarle with squadrons in Iceland, Newfoundland & Norfolk. Two months later WW2 broke out & he requested transfer to a combat squadron. He was assigned to VP-74. his patrol squadron had recently transitioned to the PBM ("Martin Mariner") which would eventually replace the famous old PBY as a submarine hunter-killer. Shortly after the onset of WW 2, Petty Officer Barnard was appointed Caerog (NAP) then in rapid succession: Chief Naval Aviation Pilot & Warrant Boatswain (Naval Aviator). On June 1st 1942 he was commissioned Ensign. He advanced to Lt(j g) 10 months later thence to Lt one year later. During most of WW2 he was a member of VP-74 which was home based in Norfolk but which followed the German submarine packs from Newfoundland to Bermuda to Trinidad to Natal then Bahia & Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. VP-74 was credited with sinking more German Submarines than any Navy squadron & earned a Navy Unit Commendation. Capt Barnard was awarded two Air Medals. The first was presented by the Secretary of the Navy in the name of the President & the second by Commander Third Fleet. The squadron returned to Norfolk near Christmas of 1944 after a deployment.of nearly 3 years. At the end of WW2 "Barney" was ordered to the CIC Team of Training Squadron 29 based at San Pedro, CA & was appointed CO after a few months. He was promoted to Lcdr in 1946. When the squadron was decommissioned in 1946 he joined the staff of Commander Utility Squadrons West Coast & was assigned TDY as Aviation Liaison Officer to Fleet training Command San Diego. He remained in that capacity until 1948 when he was assigned, within the command, as the Air operations officer. His next assignment was the Naval Air Missile Test Center as the Technical Information Officer, then the Technical Administration Officer & finally as Test Cordinator. During this tour he attended the Dept. of Defense Public Affairs Officers School at New Rochelle NY. In Jan. 1953 he reported to Commander FleetAir Guam as Operations & Training Officer on that staff. He was promoted to Cdr during 1953. Fleet Air Guam had operational control of all multi engine squadrons based at Guam, the Philippines, Okinawa & Japan which required considerable travel by then Cdr Barnard to all of these places. While based at Guam he met Lt. Annette Hobbie (NC) USN & they were married after both were ordered to the San Diego area in August 1954. He to NAS North Island & she to the Naval Hospital. On 5 April 1956 he was retired with a Secretary of the Navy Commendation in the rank of Captain U.S. Navy. During the period after WW2 he attended many schools, both service & civilian, including the Atomic, Biological & Chemical Warfare Officers School, the School of Naval Justice , the Special Weapons Officers School. Ventura Junior College & UCLA as well as completing officers courses in International Law, Naval Personnel Administration, Industrial Relations. Foundations of National Power & others. As a civilian Captain Barnard joined the California State Aeronautics Commission as Assistant Director & during his 8 years of service in that capacity he won many honors from the city & county governments as well as from the State College system. He also served on the International Timing Team of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. by timing aircraft altitude/ speed records during those years. While flying California state aircraft he found his A chool classmate_ AGC Ret Bill Hovland, in his second career as a Weather Bureau flight forecaster in Bakersfield. In August 1965 he became the Aviation Director of Sonoma County, California & worked in that position redeveloping a WW2 Air Corps training base into a modern civilian airport complete with an attached industrial park as well as developing a system of public use airports throughout the county. For these efforts he was given the highest award of the California Association of Airport Executives, being designated Airport Manager of the Year 1967. Two years later he was given the Outstanding County Airport of the United States by the National Association of County Officials as well as a "Unanimous Resolution of Commendation" by the State Senate. Captain Barnard retired in July 1972 after over 40 years of government service in order to spend more time with his four daughters & wife Annette. Captain & Mrs Barnard also enjoyed extensive travels throughout the U.S. & Canada, as well as Europe, the Caribbean Islands & Central America. He & Annette now live in the retirement village of Bishops Glen in Holly Hill, Fl & pursue their hobbies. he working on family genealogy & his computer; she with her arts & crafts. Barney's namesake in Seattle & he have a terrific collection of Barnard family history material. Work continues on Annette's Hobbie family history. William Barnard of Seattle, by the way, is also an aviator & a retired Chief Pilot of Northwest Airlines. With the recent passing of Cdr Jim TenBrink, Captain Barnard is now one of three surviving members of Primary A school class 13, the "Hindenburg Class". The others are NWSA members Captain USMC Ret Richard & Marian Ryan of Kennett Square. PA & AGC USN Ret Bill & Lois Hovland of Bakersfield. CA. LT Edna A Hobbie 1943 - Oakland CA Class 3713 - Graduated June 1937 - Hindenburg Class Graduated. Idenity Credit to Don White, member of this class, positions from memory and signatures on back of his personal picture. Positions of the 5 Marines in question, but thought correct. Some question on 7 & 25 but thought correct. Kimberley, Harold L. Inst. NIP. (Advanced Class B4) Front Row: Fielder, G. E. (AKA Red) ; TenBrink, J.W. (Jim); Shaw, Robert H.; Fulton, John M.; Rudesill, E.J.; Barnard, Wm. J. (Bill) Row 2: Courier, Walter J. Jr.; Danforth, S. L.; White, Donald T.; Hilgeford, Red; Lewis, A.W. (AL); Coleman, Max C. (M); Wise, Bill Row 3: Minnick, William S. (M); Bowdoin, Joe (M) ; Lane, Richard (Shady); Ward, G.B.; Leone, F.J.; Hovland, August W. (Bill); Banes, George W. Top Row: Sullivan F. or J.T. (M); Halloran, Louis P.; Ingram, Jack R.; Ward, G.B.; House, Wm. C. (Charlie); Reynolds, Charles K. Jr.; Ryan, Richard J. (M); Maddy, Leo S. T/Sgt. USMC, Inst. NAS Lakehurst, N.J. Notes: The late Leo S. Maddy was in Primary class in 1927, Advance class as TSgt. in 1933 and retired as Col. USMC Commander Donald A. Cruse. USN (Ret) NWSA Secretary-Treasurer-Editor 1978-1980 NWSA Vice-President 1990-1991 NWSA Historian 1996-Present Don Cruse was born in El Paso, Texas in December, 1920 and attended Lamar Elementary School and El Paso High School before shipping into the U. S. NAVY in July, 1938. Four years of Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps training during high school was supposed to provide follow-on college at Texas A&M, but things did not work out that way. When the NAVY Recruiter in the Federal Office Building learned that he was a high school graduate, it meant he was on the next train to San Diego. That was the beginning of a Minority Enlistment (Kiddie Cruise) that would have terminated the day before he was 21--or 12/17/41. Naval Training Center San Diego (Boot Camp) lasted for three months and was followed by four months of Class A Group II Communications School located on the same base. Curriculum consisted of the standard Navy Training Courses for Signalman 3c, Quartermaster 3c and Radioman 3c. The XO in USS HULL (DD350) in San Diego Bay, LT Forrest Close, was not impressed by all that crazy certification. In his book every young lad would first become a Seaman. Hence, Seaman Second Class Cruse qualified in quarterly assignments such as Compartment Cleaner, Messenger, Speed Flag Operator (which was part of the bridge messenger's duties when underway), Bow Hook in the 28-foot motor whaleboat, Third Powderman on Number One 5-inch 38-caliber dual-purpose mount, Vegetable Coxswain, and Scullery Maid. With advancement from Sea2/c to Seal/c, monthly pay took a major jump from $36 to $54. It was hardly worth sweating Third Class Petty Officer for $60. Pursuing the scuttlebutt about the free education offered by the NAVY, Don tried for the Naval Academy Preparatory Class but flunked most of the exams. Nevertheless, a set of transfer orders appeared magically in the Yeoman's in-basket. Thus it was time to hit the Lucky Bag, break out some canvas, lash up seagoing style and board the USS HENDERSON (AP-1) -- she was providing slow but sure transportation to Norfolk. Join the NAVY and see the world was the password--but they surely did not mean Norfolk! There was an early autumn 1939 assignment to the USS TEXAS (BB35) before the NAPC convened on Naval Operating Base NorVa. TEXAS was then flying the four-star flag of Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, Admiral Ernest J. King. Duties of a Seal/c assigned to the Third Division varied from scrubbing paintwork to standing Side Boy Watches; and in those days with mass confusion breaking out in Europe there were many V.I.P. visitors boarding the TEXAS who rated eight boys plus Guard-Of-The-Day and Band! She was an old- fashioned, spit-and-polish flagship. The crew slept in hammocks and messed family-style. When the Master At Arms used his billy club on the underside of your hammock it meant "Heave Out And Trice Up." The entire ship was scrubbed down and squeegied or holystoned on the morning watch. Cold salt water was classed as "invigorating." Six months of NAPC left no time for goofing off Students sat at desks 11 1/2 hours each day. That left time for marching to and from classes, the chowhall, scrubbing clothes, and more classes. Don Cruse spent most weeks on "The Tree" which permitted no liberty due to low test scores. Nevertheless, when the real U.S.Naval Academy entrance examination was administered there was amazement all around--great marks! The next focus was naturally on June 1st at Annapolis when impressive events would take place. But first there was another interlude in USS ST. LOUIS (CL-49), a smashing new cruiser that was spending some time in Norfolk Navy Yard. First Division sailors were introduced to the complexities of gear in the paravane locker--like all deck equipment, it required lots of tender care. Gun drills in Number One Main Battery Turret, a six-inch 47- caliber triple turret, required the powderman on the center gun to mind his toes, for sure. The ship's routine was maintained by bugle calls--no verbal announcements--but something new to a sailor from HULL and TEXAS where there were no P.A. systems. Late May 1940 saw Seal/c Don Cruse cruising to Baltimore in the overnight packet--then the Toonerville Trolley to Crabtown to dump that seabag and hammock in USS RE1NA MERCEDES, the station ship. She was an olde Spanish cruiser, a war prize. But she was no prize! Came next a battery of final physical exams prior to entry to the academy--and bad news. Myopic Astigmatism was the "kiss of death" for an entering Midshipman--something that would only worsen with further intense reading requirements. Time to bid adieu to the NAPC classmates who became three-year Class 43A due to expedited wartime personnel needs. Regularly eating noon chow in REINA MERCEDES was an Aerographer 1/c. By pestering him over a period of weeks Don was finally offered a tour of his working spaces, The Aerological Office located on the roof of Luce Hall at the academy was truly a peculiar place. But from that experience, and an opportunity to write a letter to the Bureau of Navigation, came later assignment to Primary Aerographer School at Naval Air Station Lakehurst NJ. Seal/c Thomas Bronson O'Reilly also flunked the eye exam and was similarly assigned. However, another of those explicable NAVY challenges intervened--assignment to duty in IJSS STOCKTON (DD73). She had spent 20 years moored in the back channel of Philadelphia Navy Yard after World War One. And she was a mess. Her crew was a mess. Recalled "Sixteen-year Men" and Boots made up the crew. Work was hard. Hours were long. Experience was in short supply but nevertheless STOCKTON was hurriedly placed back in commission and in October 1940 turned over to the Royal Navy crew in Halifax. Don helped paint out the USN pendant numbers and substitute G57 representing HMS LUDLOW before climbing on the train to Lakehurst. Already standing on the train platform at Lakehurst was Tom O'Reilly. We discovered we were destined for Class 20, Primary Aerographer School which was graduated 25 January, 1941. The three-month curriculum was tough for non-strikers but easy for those who were attending more or less as a formality before sewing on Aerog3/c crows. Fortunately, Dominic Zizzi was one of those well- qualified classmates, and it was Ziz who taught Don the mandatory codes after class. We both graduated and were advanced to Third Class--even if not equally qualified--due to the crying need for Aerographers at that point. Back to NorVa as a group. USS HENDERSON provided transportation to various ships and duty stations--many class members never crossed paths again. Eight of us were assigned to duty in USS RANGER (CV-4) steaming in the Caribbean. LT George Kosco, the Aerological Officer, managed to disperse all but three of our group to other ships and stations--three of us went aboard USS WASP (CV-7) at Gitmo on March 23rd, 1941, when RANGER dropped her hook nearby. One large advantage between those two ships was immediately discernible--WASP had showers for her crew! She just needed more water. No more bucket baths and clothes scrubbing as in TEXAS. ST.LOUIS and STOCKTON. In WASP Don Cruse and his two classmates, Lyman R. Rogers and Kenneth L. Fairbrother, joined an experienced team in her Aerological Office. Plankowners CAerog Lloyd White and Aerog 1 /c Leo A. Lee were good at selecting bright lads from the deck divisions to strike for Aerographer. Aerog3/c H. H. Watson, also a plankowner, had personal problems. LT S. W. Betts came aboard as the ship's second Aerological Officer. LT Peter Lackner was the first. It was routine to train and transfer strikers as soon as they were ready to hit Lakehurst and qualify for Aerog3/c. WASP was a showboat with a tough skipper, "Blackjack" Reeves. A great deal of the Atlantic Ocean passed under her keel before she was shifted to the Pacific Fleet in the summer of 1942. By then Don Cruse had advanced to AerM2c and had consequently been assigned his first eye-opening Shore Patrol tour in Ponce, Puerto Rico. WASP had steamed from the U.K. into the Mediterranean with two loads of Spitfires for Malta, transported P40 aircraft to Iceland from the U.S. and handled what was called "Neutrality Patrol." Modem aircraft replaced ancient ones in the WASP Air Group. To lose the ship to a Japanese submarine on the afternoon of September 15th was a tremendous loss to the NAVY. Shipmates were killed and wounded. Don was picked up from the water by USS LAFFEY (DD459) and offloaded at Espirito Santo and placed in a jungle hospital for treatment of flash bums. After a few days he was moved back to the harbor and placed aboard the Dutch merchantman MIS Brastagi which steamed to Noumea where USS SOLACE (AH5) was at anchor. She was loaded with Marine casualties from Guadalcanal. All patients were soon offloaded at Mobile NAVY Hospitals in Auckland and Wellington. Don concentrated on growing new skin and was soon transferred to USS MOUNT VERNON (AP22) when she called at Auckland. MOUNT VERNON steamed at 29 knots to the U.S. west coast via Sydney and Wellington. CAerM Engwall Olson came aboard in Sydney with plenty of interesting sea stories. Next stop for Don Cruse was the Naval Hospital Treasure Island--and back to duty with a new seabag. (to be continued) IF YOU DON'T CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE VIEW Retirement Reflection - the Navy has been good people As the new year rolls along, I find myself approaching transfer to the Fleet reserve at lightning speed. Although the decision to retire wasn't as con-fusing as the decision to re- enlist for the first time, there is much more fear involved. While many people talk about the fear coming from loss of security, facing something you don't know, having to start over in a new place or even the thought of giving up that parking space; I would offer you a different view. For me the fear comes from leaving behind something that has become a part of me. Because for every problem, every disappointment and all the hardships that come with a Navy career, there is a much bigger payoff. That payoff has been the everyday feeling of being someplace I belong. You see, my real fear is that I will never replace that. The truth of the matter is, this feeling of belonging came from the people I've been surrounded by. When you get right down to the bottom line, this whole Navy thing is really nothing more than people. Luckily for me I've been associated with many of the forest people on this planet, and they just happened to be wearing Navy uniforms. In fact, if you look around the room today, you will see many of the people I'm talking about and should realize just how lucky you are. With that in mind, I would like to remind each of you to enjoy what you have and don't wait until you're staring at retirement (or discharge) to realize what it is you're really going to miss. Having the job as Command Master Chief for this community for four years has been icing on the cake. It has allowed me to meet people I'd have never met otherwise and to have an input on the lives and careers of Sailors through-out the Navy. Of course, the best thing about this job has been the opportunity to meet so many of you throughout our community and to see the caliber of work you do every day. As I retire on May 21st, I will conclude my remarks with a line stolen from Brent Musberger as he said goodby to his CBS audience, "Thanks for the best seat in the house!" Robert J. Coniglione, USN Command Master Chief NAVAL METEOROLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY COMMAND NEWS IF YOU DON'T CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE VIEW WW II EXPERIENCES By: xAERM3/c Robert D. Barron, USN REL This article is in reply to a request to write of our WW-2 experiences in Aerology. My only claim to the unusual may be that of having the shortest length of duty in the weather services. A mere 15 months of very hectic, ever changing and interesting duty. After spending 21 months in the Navy in the aviation branch and no longer being able to pass the eye examination, I found myself in Class 61 at the Newman School. Upon graduation in April 1945, we were given the opportunity to specify where we wanted to be stationed. I selected an east coast air station, but when I received my orders they read Weather Central, Washington. DC. I spent about 45 minutes in that place and was then transported, along with two others to a facility in northwest Washington near American University. The first appearance of the site left us with the impression that they had mistakenly delivered us to the brig. There were double fences and marines with tommy guns patrolling the perimeter. A quick session with an indoctrination officer set us straight. He said that we were now in Office of Naval Intelligence and as of that moment we could NEVER reveal where we worked or what we did. This kind hearted officer gave us the rest of the day off to find a room in war time DC. We did that with some help from a civilian and returned the next day for our second surprise. The OOD informed us that we could forget that U. S. Weather Code we learned at Lakehurst and we had until Friday to learn the Japanese weather code. We did just that. The work there was known as traffic analysis. To the layman, that means boring. So I was glad when, in the later part of May, I was informed that I was being transferred to Pearl Harbor. I arrived in Hawaii by way of Camp Shoe-maker, Treasure Island, and the converted liner Matsonia. At Pearl the ONI operated under cover of Fleet Radio Unit Pacific (FRUPAC). We lived in barracks that is now the site of Aloha Stadium. FRUPAC was on the rim of the Makalapa crater immediately behind CINCPAC. The work there was very interesting as contrasted with DC. I also was aware of Annie Roan, who was one of several WAVES that worked in the office. You know her better Mrs. Glen Drummond of the Potomac Chapter. The mission of that office was to take the intercepted and decoded Japanese weather reports, combine them with our own reports from ship and shore stations, plot this data and prepare a forecast. This information was then encoded and sent to the fleet and shore stations throughout the Pacific. I had the opportunity to work with officers who had been trained in Japanese at the language school in Boulder, CO. This routine was interrupted in late July when a call went out for volunteers for a special mission. I volunteered and tothis day I don't know why I did that. The training for this duty was to be 4 hours a day and on the first day after the mission was explained to us we could refuse the orders. No one refused. The Navy planned to place eight 3-man teams by submarine on the northeast coast of China prior to the invasion of Japan. The invasion was planned for late October. During the first week of training the Atom bomb was dropped and our training continued. A few days later the second bomb was dropped and all training halted. We returned to full time duty at FRUPAC, but all work had almost ceased there too. When the peace treaty was signed in early September it was decided that most of the Aerographers would be returned to general duty. We were to report to FWC Pearl. You can appreciate the problem faced by CDR Bums, head of the FWC, that morning when 30-plus men arrived for reassignment. We could not tell the Commander where we came from or what degree of proficiency we held - only that we were available. His job was to assign us new billets. They wasted no time in shipping me to Pearl City to the Aviation Supply Depot. I was assigned to the Aerology supply pool and we lived in a CBMU on the very edge of Pearl City. The supply pool occupied about 2500 sq. ft. in a huge warehouse and was manned by a compliment of three. It was our job to supply all ships passing through Pearl and filling requisitions from land bases in the Pacific. Our job of issuing equipment and supplies was changed in October to receiving returned material. Weather ships were being decommissioned, some of them former private yachts that had been on station between San Francisco and Pearl. I still have a 6-inch slide rule in a leather case that came from one of these yachts. This flood of returned material overwhelmed our small amount of storage space. It was decided we should be more critical of what was salvageable and what was to be scrapped. We took it upon ourselves to scrap most of the returned material. The Supply Depot hauled truck loads of burnable material back to Makalapa crater where a fire burned 24 hours a day. All material that could not be burned was trucked to the docks and placed on a barge and hauled out to sea and dumped. The environment was not given much consideration by the people who were trying to get out from under this flood of goods. This program continued into February. By this time my two original partners had gone home and I had acquired a new helper. By early March I had accumulated enough points (45) to qualify for discharge and was sent to a holding Photograph provided by: "Chuck Barron Are you in this photo of the ComNavFor North African Waters Aerological Unit ashore at Villa Klos Salambier, Algiers, in 1943 after the initial "Torch" landing in French North Africa. LCDR Richard Steere would later be transferred to London HQ where he forecast surf conditions for the D-Day landings in France. "Mustang" ENS Charles R. "Chuck" Barron and others pictured would provide weather services through 1944 for susbsequent invasions at Casablanca, Mers El Kibir, Salerno, Anzio and the south of France. Others in this photo are Caerog Burrel Clark Champ, Aerogs 1/c A. R. Jones & Reeves, Aerogs 2/c Knudson & Paldunas and (Aerog "striker") Seaman 1/c Bell. Some seven years later, LCDR "Chuck" Barron would again distinguish himself by forecasting for a typhoon threatened transit to and the decisive invasion of Inchon, Korea on 15 September 1950. Puget Sound Notes * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Friends are lights in winter; the older the friend the brighter the light." - Robert Roseblat * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Puget Sound Chapter met on Saturday 13 March at the "Pancake Haus" in Edmonds, Wa. The meeting-brunch was called to order by our President, Dan Collins. Members present were Frank Baillie, George & Dee Berrian, Ken & Marian Boden who drove 340 miles across the snow capped Cascades to attend, Bob & Charlyne Coppo, "Frenchy" & Barbara Corbeille, Mike & Alice Evanick, Jack Fry, Dick & Barbara Gilmore, Lee & Dee Hayes, newcomers Jim & Ruth Northup and Bob & Pauline Nowlan. Our May meeting will be held on 16 May at the NAS Whidbey Island CPO Club which overlooks the base (one week "late" so as not to interfere with Mother's Day). Nice view, good food at reasonable prices & old friends. Y'all come. Like Willy Nelson, "Fudd" & Joyce Fondren were "On the Road Again" when I called them. To be more accurate they were 20 miles south of Merced heading for Bakers-field, CA. "Fudd" was doing the driving & Joyce was the navigator- communicator with their cellular phone. It seems that they've been taking Moon Mullins' Aerograph Travel Tips to heart (especially the Space A part). Having left their RV at Travis AFB the couple flew government air to Guam where their daughter Colleen & son-in-law Don work at Guam's "War of the Pacific" National Park which has a branch at Saipan as well. Her description of high rise hotels etc on Guam was a far cry from my memories of 1947 & 1948 as an Aerographer striker, Seaman 2/c & 1/c at Corn Mar Hill. The roundabout return trip was in a huge Air Force Reserve C-5 via Okinawa, Japan, Hawaii & then, serendipitously, back to their RV at Travis AFB. The Fondrens are sold on Space A travel. You can't beat the price. Thanks to "Pete" Pettit of the Monterey Chapter we have new members, in Jim & Ruth Northup who had responded to the 1999 reunion notice placed in a VFW magazine. Thanks. Pete. Jim's post Navy career was as a logger & he climbed the ladder into management during a career which took him all over the northwest plus a few spots in .Alaska. Much of his work was done on the Olympic Peninsula at which time the couple lived in Forks, WA, the "wettest spot in America". X- AG1 "blackshoe" CDR USN Ret Joe Streuli & I were "Lee's" Class POs of his A school class 5423 & "Rocky" Rokoz was the Class CPO. Jim served aboard USS ESTES & was at Eniwetok in the mid 50s for H & A bomb testing. Later duty was the radar picket ship USS Falgout, DER-224. which patrolled the northeastern Pacific as "Bird Dogs Bravo & Delta" picket/ weather ships. Their reports often showed "interesting" weather conditions as I recall from my map plotting days. A 1956 Pacific storm they encountered in those waters carried away radar antennas. depth charge racks & generally battered Falgout & her crew. The couple's son makes his living in those same turbulent waters as an Alaskan King crab fisherman. It seems that new member Leland (& Mary) Edtl (pronounced ettle) X-AG of Longview, WA worked for our long time member CDR George Berrian on Johnston Island in 1948. Lee & Mary have yet another "local connection" in "Kerry" Daly (x- AGl/ DPI Ret) whose parents were long time friends of the Edtls. AGs who made rate as "strikers" sans A school were sometimes labeled "Mustangs" & such was the case with "Lee" who was also a "striker" in civilian life in that he obtained his State Engineering licenses prior to completing correspondence course studies which, after years of work, earned him an advanced degree. His career included stints with Boeing Aircraft, the Hanford Atomic plant & the Livermore, CA Radiation Lab. He finally settled into the city of Longview, WA as the City Utilities Director. Their E-mail address is Our Chapter has experienced an embarassment of riches with new members. Dick Gilmore found X-AG1, Captain Supply Corps USN Ret Gary & Lois Fisher a product of the "Seaman to Admiral" program. His A school Class 5649 CPO Frank Brown (has anyone seen him lately?). was also a "Seaman to Admiral" program Selectee His B school class was 6230. He had a varied & interesting series of AG assignments including a stint in the Sub Tender ?SS Hundlev at Holy Loch. (Hoot, mon! Gie me a wee dram it i me haggis). One of his co-workers at the OTSR (Optimum Track Ship Routing) unit at Fleet Weather Facility Alameda. CA was long time Chapter member, George Berrian. then a civilian OTSR forecaster. Gary is grateful to CDR USN Ret. then LCDR Dick Herman for his encouragement to apply for the "Seaman to Admiral" program. Since retirement in 1988 he has been associated with the Aviation oriented Embry, Riddle & Chapman University & is teaching business courses for Boeing employees. His E-mail address is NWSA AIRSHIP CHAPTER President Rod Elliott Vice President Ed Wanzor Secretary/Treasurer Gene Merrill Reporter Pam Elliott As Spring arrives in the Airship Chapter neighborhood, it is time to see what has been happening with the New Jersey folks. The Spring Gathering will be April 25,1999 at the Circle Landmark. The hosts will be Lucille & Bob Wiorek. We look forward to a big gathering. I received an e-mail from Carol & Gene Merrill. They spent 2 weeks in February in Hawaii in their Time-Share in Waikiki. And only had a block to get to Hale Koa. Their son, a Coast Guard Chief and family flew out from Travis to stay a few days. A great time was had by all. They were presented with their 13`' Grandchild in December. That makes 9 grandsons and 4 granddaughters. Birthday celebrations keep them on the road. They are both looking forward to Monterey. They will be able to spent time at Petaluma with their son at the Coast Guard Station. The last week of June finds them off to Virginia for a wedding of a son, who is a Navy LT. July arrives and we fmd them off again. This time to Maine to see the Blue Angles at NAS Brunswick. As you can see, there is no moss gathering in the Merrill household. The e-mail circuit brought a note from Marilyn and Norm Macomber. Invitations have been issued to Bob & Ruth Jahns and Ross & Marie Gardner to join our Chapter and the April dinner. Norm has resumed the secretary roll at the local branch of the Fleet Reserve Association. Speaking of the Fleet, the Airship Chapter is represented each Friday for a dinner gathering. The usual regulars are Macombers, Loschs, Elliotts, Merrills (when they are in town) and the McGayheys. The Whitworths are regulars when they are not in Florida. They left after Christmas. We expect to see them in May. At least Pat, Harry may not be able to pull away from the links that early. Spoke to Lil Klim the other day. She had her brother visiting. Even got him to install a bow window before he headed back to Hawaii, She has had her son busy tiling the bathroom. She says she keeps busy with the usual home repairs and chores. She looks forward to the April dinner. Bobbie and Hank Losch are anxiously awaiting the Blue Grass Festival in Gettysburg. They will be staying 4 days. It gives them an opportunity to visit friends they have made while in their RV campground. They have had a quiet winter. But just how quiet remains to be seen as they have enjoyed their 2 grandsons. The word is Toddy & Frank McGayhey have been busy with their grandchildren, as their folks have been vacationing. Knowing Mac, he has been busy with his gardening. He can not have his vegetable stand if he doesn't get busy now. Talked with Marie Garrity. She and Mike are improving some with their health problems. Marie had a severe break to her ankle. She is still using the walker but is slowing graduating to a cane. It has been a long winter for them. We all hope the spring will bring continued improvement to each of them. Our prayers are always with them. Did not get to chat with the Lucille & Bob Wiorek or Lois & Ed Wanzor. I can guess they are both busy with grandchil- dren. Both couples baby-sit from time to time, even full time sometimes. I know they are all glad the weather is getting nice so they can be outdoors. The Elliott's spent a President's weekend and Easter weekend with the girls in VA. Kristie got engaged on Valentine's Day. Now Mom & Dad have 2 wedding to look forward to this year. Kris & John will be married Memorial Day weekend on the beach in Virginia Beach with a BBQ in their back yard. Kathy & Dick are planning a November 22 bash in Toms River. They are working hard to fmd Kat a job in Norfolk. Pam & Rod head to NC for the races the week before Memorial Day (Saturday). Dash to the wedding and back to NC for the Sunday race. Then home so Pam can return to the work force. Needless to say, the Elliott's will not be making Monterey. The Airship Family wishes a Happy and Healthy Spring to all. SOUTHEAST CHAPTER President: Steve Turco Vice. Pres: Larry Cain Sec/Treas: Jerry Struck The spring meeting was held at the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in Orange Park. The following persons were present. Outgoing President, Bob Agness and Shirley, AGCM Maxwell from Cecil Field, Moe Lambert, newly elected president Steve Turco, LT Todd and LCDR Cheril Todd, CDR Phillip Renaud (NLMOF CO), Ray Hennessey, Larry Cain, Wayne and Betty Led-better, Bob and Edie Griffm, Jack and Evelyn Bullington, Bobby and Charlene Johnson with their daughter, son in-law and grandson who are visiting on leave from England. Grandson Chris says he is developing "a bit of an English accent", Kent Foster and Beth, Bob and June Hudson, Frank and Jean Andrews and Jerry and Ann Struck. Presently the Agnesses, the Ledbetters, the Bullingtons, the Strucks, Ray Hennessey and the Bowers are signed up for the Monterey reunion. The Agnesses and the Strucks will be motorhoming to the reunion. See you there.... POTOMAC CHAPTER (NW SA) (04/992 President Skip Cline 1st Vice President Will Gould 2nd Vice President Bob Plante Sec-Treas Doc Carver Tel 301 855 6103 Time to flip the calendar back to mid-January when we last attempted this collection of miscellany and posted it to Editor Bill in sunny Florida. At present the mid-Atlantic region is bursting with Springtime blossoms of all descriptions. The brave persons have their early peas planted--the unbrave are still wishing they could remove all the houseplants and tender stuff to the out-of-doors. Local eyeballs were trained on Rosecroft Raceway where our PotChap mid-winter social event was scheduled. Once again we relied on Jim & Rosalie Romano to make necessary plans and bookings--Rosecroft has turned out to be one of our favorite spots for such an event because they segregate our party by seating and serving us separately. Military clubs have, in general, gone downhill--so we now avoid booking them. Our group managed to gather at Rosecroft between rainy spells--no snow threat this year. President Audie Hudnell welcomed a nice crowd that consisted of: Ed & Polly Carlstead Fred Chase Bob & Bev Costa Fay & Donna Crossley Don & Marge Cruse Glen & Anne Drummond Will & Ella Gould Elroy & Pat McLeod Tom & Maryann Miovas DickPritchard Jim & Rosalie Romano Six Romano guests Between races (one of which was dedicated to PotChap) and an excellent dinner we managed to conduct a short business meeting. Nominating Committee Chairman McLeod announced his full slate of nominees and recommended we vote. So we did. The results are reflected in the above chapter masthead; and we heartily congratulate these new 1999- 2000 PotChap officers. Skip has worked his way that the various chairs and reached the peak. It remains PotChap's goal to use this fleet-up system since it does produce the best continuity. Thanks to our outstanding 1998-1999 officers for encouraging us to put another great chapter year into the record book. Under Welfare considerations we noted the death of AGCS Rob Crytser which occured December 26, 1998. Many chapter members were under the weather (if that is a p.c. term) due to the flu bug and/or seasonal bronchitis. Tom & Maryann told us that the folks in Pittsburgh never have problems like that" Our welcome visitors from Hampton Roads Chapter. Fay & Donna. brought the gang up to speed on current planning for NWSA Annual Reunion 426 next year. Fay remains employed in the Virginia peanut capital of Wakefield where he cracks the whip over a team of National Weather Service people. Tom Miovas is currently a member of our NWSA Scholarship Committee so he briefed on that endeavor and reminded all hands of the ever-present need for awardee candidates. NO MORE BUPERS Perhaps you have noticed the change--again, perhaps you have not. The shop that moved from Arlington VA to Millington TN and a bright, new campus is called NPC (Navy Personnel Command). Some people news::: Skip Wright continues on the Nat'l Wx Svc payroll, working downtown WashDC in a papermill where responsibility rests for budget & programming. Ann works for NSA at Fort Meade. Dick Terwilliger came up with a question and a suggestion--while looking over names of schoolmates at NPGS July 1946 to June 1948. NWSA records fail to contain info on Sullivan, Register or Tom Keegan. Do readers have any clues? After taking action in response to his suggestion, we have signed up CAPT Wm Milnor Carpenter USN-Ret --another classmate who lives in Stafford County VA, not far from Quantico. Bill says that he is self-employed and maintains a flexible work sked. His tenure in Aerology was brief since he preferred traditional blackshoe NAVY life to balloon blowing. Sid & Maggie Halminski missed our Rosecroft dinner because it conflicted on the calendar with their trip to Italy. Among hilites of that tour was an audience with The Pope but they did the whole nine yards. After the tour group members went separate ways they took the train to Lugano for a five-day visit with friends who reside there. Great scenery! Maggie informs us that Helen Tilden in Fresno CA underwent triple bypass surgery in early January--but we still hope to see the Tildens at NWSA/25/Monterey in June. We noted a mystery name in Naval Affairs magazine under "Taps." AGC Robert Ryan is logged out but nobody in PotChap heard of him even though his location given in The Bellinger List was the World Weather Building. Did any of you F.R.A. Branch 70 members in Poway CA know him? Out at Andrews AFB we thought Al Zahnle had gone back to sea or otherwise disappeared--the problem was the relocation of his office during reconstruction of the Air Ops Building. So he isn't lost but very busy with his beeper that makes continuous demands for hot wx dope for the White House. `Nuff said on that subject! Don & Betty Brown have taken a little extra time but are finally back in the NWSA fold. Last we heard they were looking for a fresh B List. Fully retired now from S.A.I.C. and not really missing it. Don & Janice Barnett missed our dinner meeting because he is still having a problem with his short-term memory—this dates back to an accident which occured while he was cross-country biking Feb 98--that consisted of a bump on his head and subsequent surgery. Don & Marge Cruse shoved off for a fortnite in Hawaii immediately after the PotChap dinner meeting. Had a nice chat with Ken & Barbara Fairbrother enroute. The Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach was found to be as super as it was two years ago--perhaps even better the second time around. There were opportunities to snorkel in Hanauma Bay, view the island of Kauai from a six-place helo piloted by an ex-Army guy, and familiarize with a few military bases to see what is changing. One hilite was another early morning visit to USS ARIZONA Memorial and the orientation briefing by Dick Husted that we shared with a tour group that was gathered around. Also enjoyed our opportunities to visit with Dick & Frances at the HKH and a happy hour visit with Dick & Wanda Ackerman in their high rise (30th deck) condo overlooking Waikiki. But when we attempted to visit the USS MISSOURI in her new Ford Island mooring we were sent back to the mainland to buy a ticket at the Submarine Base Visitor's Center. Live & Learn! MTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Marine Technology Society invites applications for the position of Executive Director. Marty Finerty is retiring after over 1 Iyears in the position. Anticipated starting date is September, 1999. RADM Paul Gaffney II, Chief of Naval Research and Director, Navy Test, Evaluation & Technology, has been elected a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society. Election to this grade recognizes an individual's outstanding contributions to the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydro-logic sciences, or their applications, during a substantial period of time. Dr. Richard W. Spinrad was named the new technical director to the Oceanographer of the Navy (CNO-NO96), RADM Jerry Ellis. Previously he was executive director for research and education at the Consortium for Oceanographic Research & Education. In the NOAA Corps RADM William L. Stubblefield retired March 1st and was replaced by CAPT Evelyn J. Fields as director. She was the first woman to command any U.S. Government ship, NOAA's R/V MCARTHUR. At the Naval Academy in Annapolis (`Crabtown' to some of us) we note that the U.S. Naval Institute has relocated from Preble Hall to Beach Hall. NTC BAINBRIDGE If you went to boot camp in Bainbridge MD or were on board that station in Naval Academy Prep or any other capacity, your help is needed. The Bainbridge real estate will revert to State of Maryland this year. There are several initiatives underway to somehow memorialize this WWII base which has been ignored and permitted to disintegrate. Some prime movers are Port Deposit Heritage Corp. and NTC Bainbridge Association. Of immediate concern is the need to reestablish contacts and then take expeditious action to preserve memories of the station. To become part of this effort, contact Paul Fleming at 2927 Duncan Road, Wilmington. DE 19808-2379. E-mail On Thursday Feb 25th (and again March 25th) the Lone Star Lunch Bunch gathered in Centerville VA to sort out the affairs of the world. Bob Black, Chuck Kincannon, Al Pyle, John Mercer (of the olde AIR-533 group) were joined by Glen Drummond & Don Cruse mostly for the entertainment we have come to expect. One topic was the demise of Operation Deepfreeze and VXE-6. Glen & Anne provide `Meals on Wheels' assistance in Fairfax County on alternate Wednesdays, as they have done for many years. Heard that Jack & Evelyn Bullington decided to sell out in Orange Park and build themselves a modern home which is only a one-story rig. Jim Romano reported on the festivities accompanying Truman Scholarship awards here in Arlington where USA Today is headquartered. Elaine Atchison was one of the top 20 recipients and is well on her way upward and onward toward an advanced degree. Jim heard from the Asheville NC troops that Martha Ezell broke her ankle. FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL CALENDAR 3-6 May 31st Offshore Technology Conference in Houston (972.952.9393) 21-24 June 4th Intl Airborne Remote Sensing Conf & Exibit in Ottawa (734.994.1200 x3250) 19-22 August 43rd Annual Tailhook Assn Convention in Reno (800.322.HOOK) 22-29 August 72nd Nat'l Convention Fleet Reserve Assn & 67th Nat'l Conv LAFRA in Cherry Hill NJ ( Afraid we cannot talk Mike Kalles into attending NWSA/25/Monterey--he was reminiscing about certain weird evolutions that took place on his tour at FLEWEAFAC YOKO around 1961-64--recalling shipmates such as Darrell Robinson, Tommy Taylor, Charlie McCarthy, Dan Story. However, last time we counted noses there appeared to be 21 PotChap people with airline tickets or gasoline chits. We will just have to enjoy this event without you, Mike. A series of March telephone calls confirmed that LCDR William C. "Charley" House USN-Ret deceased in Valley Center CA in Oct 1996. His wife Marie died see eral years ago after an automobile accident. You will recall that he was the leading Aerographer captured on Kiska by the Japanese and survived imprisonment. When captured he was Aerogl/c while Jim Turner and Walt Winfrey were Aerog3/c. All three survived WWII but Jim & Nina have been deceased for many years. USS CONSTELLATION RETURNS After her extensive hull repairs in a Baltimore shipyard the good news is that USS CONSTELLATION is about to be towed back to her assigned mooring in the Inner Harbor. If all goes according to plan she will be open to the public on July 2nd, in time for the weekend Independence Day celebrations. Bill O'Neil says that wife-san Dorothy has stabilized in stroke recovery but remains unable to walk. Excellent p.t. in health center of their residence community (The Fairfax) will continue in the hope that she will overcome this obstacle. In a similar situation, Clyde Tucker maintains a close watch since Jean developed alzheimer's troubles. On a brighter note, Louise Terwilliger escaped from Fairfax Hospital after recovering from pneumonia--she worked there for 12 years so it was familiar territory. Our congratulations to Peter Weigand on selection to CDR (1805) USNR, along with Terri Ann Egger, Peter Maye, Brian Miller, and Douglas Scovil. And another big congratulatory bouquet to newly-selected AGCM Raymond Chappell as he prepares to assume the Command Master Chief desk at U. S. Naval Ice Center in Suitland MD. Phyllis Schirle will retire June 11 from that billet. Other new E-9 selectees in the METOC world are Michael Joern in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) and Douglas Maxwell now at NLMOD Mayport. PotChap has presented all three with gift memberships in NWSA with our best wishes. POTCHAP CALENDAR May 11 Chapter tour of USNA Oceanography Department and chapel (Dieter Rudolph) May 27 Lone Star Lunch Bunch meets (Chuck Kincannon) (plan for every 4th Thursday) May 29 AIREXPO `99 at NAS PAXRIV wBlue Angels (www.nawcad.navy.mil/pao) 2-6 Jun NWSA/25/Monterey at Hyatt Regency 19 June Chapter pool/patio party (Jim & Rosalie Romano) 11 Sept Autumn chapter crab feast & potluck (M Cruse) On March 10 and April 6th several key members of PotChap assembled at the fancy AAFB golf clubhouse for a bowl of soup and some serious discussions of chapter and NWSA matters. This group convenes at the pleasure of our Prez and has been dubbed his "steering group." It's a great way to keep up to speed on happenings that never seem to get adequate attention during quarterly social events. On April 9th our chapter toured the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Detachment at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River MD. Thanks to the diligent hard work of Joe Meeks, who is quite familiar with the place after doing twenty years on board as a Meteorological Technician we were able to see recent changes to the station as well as the NLMOD. The station is now host to Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters since relocation of that group from Crystal City complex in Arlington VA. New buildings are impressive--unless one is a taxpayer! Traffic is a disaster. Our briefer in NLMOD PAXRIV was AG1(AW) David Schmidtke USN. We were impressed by the nearly paper- less operation and the availability of high technology info via rapid communications. David made a sincere effort to hold sea stories to a minimum but was only partially successful. He had a few of his own about recent duty in USS INDEPENDENCE (CV62) while she was homeported at Yokosuka. He did a great job as our host. Thanks, David. AGCS Vern Gray USN-Ret is employed in the NAS Air Operations Department in the same building with NLMOD but we were not able to chat--after all, it was Friday afternoon. Kidding aside, Vern is a shift worker--one of those good features of air ops and METOC. We were also reminded that AGC Pat Smaldore USNR-R drills regularly with the NLMOD PAXRIV. USS HORNET RESTORED After 28 years in mothballs, ex-USS HORNET (CVS-12) is once again open to the public. She was donated by theNAVY to the group now identified as The USS HORNET Museum. She has been cleaned up, restored and shiftedinto Pier 3 North from Pier 3 South at the old Naval Air Station Alameda carrier piers. She was opened to thepublic August 27, 1998. Restoration continues and anycontributions will be welcomed. Address the Museum at P.O. Box 460, Alameda CA 94501, tel 510.521.8448. Will wrap this edition up with a Welcome Aboard to our new NWSA Webmaster, AGC Mahlon Trenz USN-Ret. Little did we know that you've been in Manassas for a year. And for those few NWSA people who may not have heard the good news, you may now view Mahlon's handiwork by dialing up NWSA HAMPTON ROADS CHAPTER President ...... Marty Nemcosky Vice President ...... Bud Scott Secretary ...... Jack Salvato Treasurer ...... Chuck Steinbruck Social Chairman ...... Jack Salvato Winter The Hampton Roads Chapter started the New Year with a meeting at the China Garden Restaurant on 22 January 1999. Those attending included: Floyd and Joan Akers, Jake Bengel, Marty Bonk, John and Ive Chubb, Fay and Donna Crossley, Bob and Carol Daigle, Jim DaSilva, George DeLano, Millie Orork Garcia, Bertha Hubbard, Jim Langlois, Ted and Ethel LeMond, Charles Lindsey, frank Muscari Sr., Ed Nelson and Ruth Patch, Marty and Barbara Nemcosky, Jack Salvato, Bud and Bev Scott, Dick Thayer, Bob and Cindy Wright and Ralph and LaRue Wright. After drinks and a great Chinese Food Buffet, Prez. Marty held a business meeting. He introduced SeaMore the Seagull who will be the "centerpiece" of the Reunion 2000 logo. He reported that the Reunion 2000 plans include moving the picnic event to the evening. A band that plays "big band" music has been signed up for the night of the banquet. Other plans are in the works he said. Elections were held with the only change being that Jack Salvato will be the new Chapter Secretary, relieving George DeLano of that duty. FROM THE NWSA WEBMASTER AGC Mahlon E, Trenz, USN RET Earlier this year I was asked to take over the responsibilities as the NWSA Web Master. I cannot tell you how honored I was when asked. I have followed closely the Web site's progress under the wings of Bob Agness and admired his work. In the words of FRANK A BAILLIE, "... Bob Agness, without whom there would have BEEN no home page in the first place.." Thank you BOB. Well Done! Since assuming the job, I have tried to enhance the navigation of the pages, making it easier to find the many varied items on the site. If you have not visited the NWSA WEB site as yet. let me invite you to do so. 'lire general topics on the site are broken down into the following areas: The NWSA description, Preamble to the NWSA Consti-tution, History of the Naval Weather Service, and historical articles submitted by members. We have the Membership Form and information on how to join. Also included. as space permits, are articles from past issues of the Aerograph. We have tried to make the WEB site informative, including, in particular, information on upcoming reunions with dates. maps, and reunion schedules. We have also uploaded pictures from a couple of the past reunions. Another area built into the site and meant to be inform-tive for our membership is an up-to-date on-line E-mail address listing. We are also building a list of Personal WEB sites of our members and other relative WEB links. Please feel free to contribute to the E-mail and Links information. One of my main efforts is to be responsive to suggested updates for the site. I have built into the site "Response Forms" to make it easy to submit additions, updates, and corrections to the site. I encourage everyone to communicate with me either by using the response forms, or E-mail. This is OUR Web site. Your input is welcome and in fact needed to keep it current and informative for everyone. Again, I want to thank you for allowing me this privilege of being NWSA WEB Master. Come visit your site at: AN OLD CHIEF An old Chief and Gunny Sargeant at a bar arguing about who'd had the tougher career. "I did 30 years in the Corps," the Marine declared proudly, `"and fought in three of my country's wars. Fresh out of boot camp I hit the beach at Okinawa, clawed my way up the blood-soaked sand, and eventually took out an entire enemy machine gun nest with a single grenade." "As a sargeant, I fought in Korea alongside General MacArthur. We pushed back the enemy inch by bloody inch all the way up to the Chinese border, always under a barrage of artillary and small arms fire." "Finally, as a gunny sargeant, I did three consecutive combat tours in Vietnam. We humped through the mud and razorgrass for 14 hours a day, plagued by rain and mosquitoes, ducking under sniper fire all day and mortor fire all night. In a firelight, we'd fire until our arms ached and our guns were empty, then we'd charge the enemy with bayonets!" Looking straight ahead Chief says nothing. Then after a deli-berate long, slow drink, Chief says, "Yea...figures...all shore duty." U. S. NAVAL GROUP CHINA Weathermen of SACO (also known as the U.S. Naval Group China) - There are many tales told of World War Two and of the men and women who served but one of the more interesting was that of SACO. the Sino-American Co-operative Organization. CNO ADM Ernest King hand picked RADM USN Ret (then CAPT) Milton E. Miles as CO and Aerology Officer, CAPT USN Ret (then CDR) the late Irwin F. Byerly as XO giving them verbal orders to "help the Navy and harass the Japanese". From that start came a 50,000 man guerilla army, most of which was Chinese, and a large network of weather reporting stations providing up-wind data to our down-wind fleet fighting the war. The movie, "Destination Gobi", with Richard Widmark dramatized SACO and included an improbable battle between American and Japanese junks which actually occurred and proved to be the final "naval battle" of WWII. Yes, the SACO junks won the day and the Japanese CO turned his sword over to Junk Captain, LT Livingston "Swede" Swentzell USNR. War lords and genuine pirates were enlisted into the fight including one lady pirate of the South China Sea who was the prototype for the "Dragon Lady" of "Terry and the Pirates" by Milton Caniff who later wrote and did the art work for "Steve Canyon" comics. SACO forces killed, wounded or captured 33,000 Japanese, destroyed 209 bridges, 84 locomotives and 141 ships and rivercraft. They also rescued nearly eighty pilots and aircrewmen during the last years of the war. Flying Tiger Aerographers - On 24 July 1942 three Navy Aerographers mates were released from active duty to report to the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Co. of New York. These three personnel along with two Army weather observers became the Aerological branch of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the" Flying Tigers". They were Aerog 2/c D.A. Whelpley, Aerog 3/c A.W. Fritzke and Aerog 3/c R.S. Richardson. Aerogs become Aerms - On 8 Aug 1942. the aerographer rating was changed to Aerographers Mate by Circular Letter 113-42. Aerogs became Aerms. Former Navy weathermen on the current roster of the SACO Association Mr Lacey Abbey, AGC, USN Ret, 5654 Glen Ridge Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 503-882-7684 Dr Elwood F. Booth, 7421 Thunderbird Rd Liverpool, NY 13088 Tel..1-315-457-7751 Mr Paul Boroff, 430 Golden Isles Dr Halllandale, FL 33009 Mr Kinsell L. Coulson, 119 Bryce Way Vacaville, CA 95687-3405 Mr Thoma S. Dennison, 2020 Park St #804 Jacksonville, FL 32204-3848 Mr Robert G. Ferguson, 111 Villa Ave Lake Placid, FL 33852 Mr Willie G. Flournoy Jr., Rte One Box 359 (2991 Hi-way-2) Laurel Hill, FL 32567 Tel..1-850-652-4257X-AGC served in USS Phillipine Sea early Korea w Bill Willis. He was known as "Jungle Jim" in WW2 China. Mr Rufus H. Forest (X-LT), 413 Woodland Wake Forest, NC 27587 Mr James F.Kelly, 3030 Edgemont St Philadelphia, PA 19134-5048 Mr John N. Klos, 14 Lepore Dr Lancaster, PA 17602-2640 Mr Reno G. Luchini, 1034 Emery Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15227-4000 Mr Angus A. Maclnnes (an Officer), 733 Plant. Est. #B111 Matthews, NC 28105 Mr Henry Mastenbrook (an Officer), 2922 Pine Spring Rd Falls Church, VA 22040 Mr Randall Richardson, 9700 Sundial Drive, Las vegas, NV 89134 Mr William P. Simmons (an Officer), 42 Juniper Serra Ave San Rafael, CA 94901-2320 Mr Walter J. Stoddard, 7449 East 20th St Tucson, AZ 85710 Mr O. E. Williams (X AerM 1/c), 3158 Majestic Circle Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Note: If there are any former members of SACO, the Sino American Co-operative Association, out there you may wish to contact WW2 China shipmates via the SACO Association whose Membership Chairman is Paul Casamajor of 2605 Sakian Indian Dr #6, Walnut Creek, CA 94595-3035 AGs arrive - The Aerographer's mate rating abbreviation, Aerm, was changed to AG by Circular Letter 106-48 on 9 June 1948. S 1/c, S 2/c and AS became AN, AA and AR.. AGs depart - On 15 April 1949 Fleet Weather Central Shanghai was disestablished as Chinese Communist forces took over the country. Personnel from Fleet Weather Central and the Kang Wan airfield joined Com Nav Wes Pac staff personnel and ship's company in USS Eldorado to make it one of the largest known groups of AGs on any ship. Captain Paul Droulihet USN, ComNav Wes Pac Staff Aerologist was the senior Weatherman present. Capt Droulihet had relieved Capt Irwin Franaia Beyerly who had been the last CO of SACO. FWC Shanghai: CO CDR K.F. Lafferty, XO LCDR E.H. Potter, LT R.G Terwilliger, LTJG R.C. Parker, WO Willard W. VanBuskirk, AGC Arthur "Red" Thomas (X-SACO), AGls Marvin White and Jimmy Whittemore; AG2s Robert R. Collins, E.J. Freed, , L.M. Rodney Homan, Cal Marder and Don R.Wise; AG3s H.D Camp, B.F. Ellis, R.H. Houtalen, M.W. Thomas, J.R. Young, M.E. Pope, E.J. Ed Rousseau, "Willy" Thompson and J.V. Stice. Kang Wan Airfield: AG3s Frank Bailey, McCaffrey and Tarnow. ComNavWesPac staff and USS Eldorado crew: AGC Jack Tanner, AG2 Fred Farnsworth, AG3 Frank Baillie, AGANs Bill Willis and Leocaido Galang. Aerographers mates "took a number" in order to do weather work while enroute to Tsingtao. Frank BaiIlie (Associate Member of the SACO Association)