Videmus Omnia 55th WING ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017 PRESIDENT’S CORNER Max Moore represented the Association on the “Top Three’s” Ball committee, and Don “Bits” As you read this latest “Max Bacon was the evening’s featured speaker with Reg creation”, I trust you’ll agree the Urschler cutting the traditional cake. sheer quantity of Association Michael Cook, our treasurer, ensured the activities since our Tampa Reunion Association was able to double our “usual” in April is nearly overwhelming. contribution to the Ball. Thanks to your Board of Though Jim Thomas is an Directors for approving this generous gesture. incredible mentor and difficult act to follow, I am Jim Thomas ably guided the Tales of the 55th not sure either of us realized the extent of docket. Ham Kennedy masterfully led steering and responsibilities in the recent months would be so selection committees to honor Excellence Trophy chock full. and Hall of Fame candidates. Reunions are incredible, and this year’s was a Throughout the summer, many of us also tremendous success due largely to our “man on the attended several wing, group and squadron changes ground” in Tampa, Richard Ray. Thanks again, of command, reestablishing legacy contacts and Rich! creating new relationships. However, there was, truly, no rest for the Behind the scenes, Bill Sargent brought the weary. We followed Tampa with planning our “BX” to the WG/CC dinner, edited/managed traditional Wing Commander dinner welcoming “Tales” presentations; as well as, made sure the Colonel Michael “Gravy” Manion to the Fightin’ Excellence Trophy updates were completed. Fifty-Fifth. Hats off to Mark Schenck for WHEW! coordinating the evening. Time for a much-needed/deserved break and a On the heels of this, the Association prepared sincere thanks to all providing the best “PR” face to honor Bruce Olmstead’s Arlington interment for the Association. with 100+ attendees, an RC-135 fly-over, and Following this lull in activity, I intend to unprecedented media/press coverage. challenge our Board and members-at-large to With Scotty Dowell steering the Wing’s flight brainstorm ideas to enhance our Fightin’ Fifty- scheduling/execution process, our Vice President, Fifth role of “Honoring those who served; and Ricky McMahon, led the Association’s contingent serving those who do”. at this hallowed event. Thanks to Ricky Mac and Glimpsing into our “crystal ball” are ideas Scotty for turning an idea into reality. mostly centered on increasing Association As the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth dealt with membership enrollment with post-SAC era 55th rescheduling its annual Ball into September, the alums and today’s active duty members. Association’s planning for Heritage Week success As Paul Harvey would say,“Stand-by, for began in earnest. Several Association members NEWS!”, as you peruse this issue of VO. attended traditional squadron events around the Videmus Omnia, Joe Spivey Wing. 1 Other Members of the Board of Directors: Bill Ernst, Jim Thomas, Errol Hoberman, Fox Censullo, George Ross, Don Kelly, Paul Jeanes, Val Dugie, Colonel Mohan Krishna. Active Duty: LtCol David Preisman. * * * * * Active Duty Board member, LtCol Preisman, relinquished command of the 238th Combat Training Squadron on 27 October, then assumed command of the 170th Group on 4 November. He will be promoted to colonel in February. Congratulations to Note the plate, SPY V. Clever, huh? Dave on his onward and upward progression. * * * * * Hoo-rah!! BOARD OF DIRECTORS Both organizations are Nebraska Air National DIRECTORY Guard units actively Association Business/Policy/Issues: attached to the 55th President Joe Spivey Operations Group. 25014 Farnam Circle They provide total force integration of guard Waterloo, NE, 68069 personnel to assist in air crew training with the E-mail: [email protected] 338th Combat Training Squadron. Vice President Ricky McMahon * * * * * 14325 Orlando Road Appointed Historian: Nokesville, VA 20181 William (Bill) Sargent E-mail: [email protected] 2711 Northwood Circle Membership/Dues/Changes of Address: Papillion, NE, 68133 Treasurer Michael Cook [email protected] 3204 Rahn Blvd Appointed Enlisted Affairs Liaison: Bellevue, NE 68123 Elvio Palmieri E-mail: [email protected] 4020 W. Palm Aire Drive, Apt. 409 Secretary Trish Seinwill Pompano Beach, FL. 33069 9335 Branchside Lane [email protected] Fairfax, VA, 22031 E-mail: [email protected] * * * * * Newsletter Editor Max Moore TH 201 Basswood Court DINNER WITH NEW 55 WING Bellevue, NE 68005-2001 COMMANDER E-mail: [email protected] Webmaster Jim Maloney Members of the Offutt-area (plus two fly-ins) th th 7908 Kona Circle 55 Wing Association met with 55 Wing Papillion, NE 68046-5619 Commander, Colonel Michael (Gravy) Manion for E-mail: [email protected] an informal social hour and dinner on 20 July 2017. Awards Chairman The event was held at Anthony’s Steakhouse, a long Hamilton Kennedy time favorite restaurant in Omaha. 13701 S. 129th St Colonel Manion assumed command of the Springfield, NE 68059 Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth on 8 June. [email protected] 2 He is the thirteenth commander to be so hosted Col Manion addressed in a tradition that began in December 1996 by then- the group expressing his president Bill Ernst. This event provides an pleasure with meeting opportunity for the new commander to meet 55th everyone, hearing the veterans in a social setting early in his tenure. The stories, and the gathering group has no agenda other than the success of the in general. Wing, and to let the commander know we have, and He also told how he are, resources to be used to support that effort. got his nickname: Gravy. A 1995 graduate of the University of Missouri- The short version being about him, as a Missouri Columbia (ROTC DMG), Col Manion’s previous country guy in a high-end restaurant, and wondering command was vice commander, 39th Air Base if he could get some gravy on his gourmet meat and Wing, Incirlik, Turkey, from June 2016. potatoes. Although he is a career EC-130 (COMPASS Those at the event were: Association Board CALL) navigator/EWO, he has had a varied career members: Spivey, Vice President Ricky McMahon, with multiple assignments in the 55th Electronic past presidents Ernst and Thomas; Max Moore, Don Combat Group (ECG) at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ; Kelly, Jim Maloney, Paul Jeanes, Ham Kennedy and in Haiti, Afghanistan, Korea, and the UK, and LtCol Dave Preisman. Former wing among others. commanders Congressman (BrigGen-Retired) Don (The 55th ECG at D-M is one of six groups Bacon (R-NE 2nd) and Steve Stevens attended. under the 55th Wing, and has been since February Also at the event were Hank Dubuy, John 2003.); Tresmer, Chris Canada, Dutch Van Denburg, The evening began with a casual social hour, Ben Ungerman, and Bill Sargent. and introductions. Steve Stevens related the Tale of the Bell, then Col Manion rang the ceremonial bell. During the social time he met and got acquainted with those attending. In the traditional lodge pose: Seated in front, L-R: Stevens, Bacon, Col Manion, Ernst, Spivey. In Back: Thomas, Dubuy, Kennedy, Kelly, Preisman, Van Denburg, Tresmer, Canada, Jeanes, Congressman Bacon, Stevens, McMahon, Maloney, Ungerman, Moore. Col Manion at the Bell. (Photos by Moore) President Joe Spivey made welcoming introductions, and the group enjoyed dinner. Each * * * * * one there was given the opportunity to relate their SUMMER OF CHANGE Air Force history and time with the 55th in a crisp round-robin. Seemingly, every summer brings about President Spivey also presented Col Manion command movements, PCS, etc., but this past one th with a copy of “We See All”, Bruce Bailey’s book was extraordinary for the 55 Wing. of 55th pictorial history, reading a cover page In addition to the main man, there were four (of inscription. six) group changes of command (Medical, Mission 3 Support, Communications, and Electronic Combat); This newsletter is being sent to 32 members plus eleven squadron commander changes at Offutt whose dues expired on 1 April hoping they will be and Davis-Monthan. One or more local Association encouraged to return to the fold. Board members usually attend these events, when * * * * * possible, to “show the shirt or tie”, as appropriate. Interesting (and sobering) facts: In 1998 there were 1441 names on the Association roster, a * * * * * compiled list of former members of the 55th SRW. TREASURER’S REPORT However, just 515 were dues payers. The treasury also had about $11,000, then. Please remember that the Association is a non- In April 2007 membership peaked at 1005; profit IRS 501(C) 19 veterans, federal tax yeah-but, in those days widows and associate exempt organization. members counted as ‘in good standing’. (See the Association web Due to compliance with IRS rules, 90% of the site:http:/www.55wa.org/CORP_H membership must be veterans to hold the 501(C) Q/TaxExemptStatus.html). As such, tax exempt status. Thus, widows are now in a you may donate additional funds to separate category, associate members were reduced, the treasury, or in the memory of a and sadly, Father Time and the Grim Reaper have comrade taking that final flight. taken their toll. Unfortunately, dues and members Those donations (NOT DUES) are tax do expire. (See TAPS.) deductible under an IRS ruling for the organization. * * * * * Every amount, large or small, is very much About 150 widows receive the newsletter gratis. appreciated. It happens, and thank you very much. As always, they are welcome to any and all * * * * * Association functions. As of 31 October 2017, the treasury had an Fifty-one 55th Wing and account balance (rounded) of $47,000. associated units and offices are A significant portion of the money in the sent the newsletter for PR account comes from dues paid in advance.