2010 Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting today was well attended.   Discussion on Founders Day was the main focus of the meeting.  All invitations are out, initial planning for the Dean’s visit to Redstone during the day on the 26th has begun (being coordinated between Bill Crawford and Phil Patterson),  Dick Jackson is going to help out with the Name Tags, Tim Thames will be helping with the flowers, Gail Dwyer signed up for getting the cake, Bill Burns will be drafting the program and Jimmy Hill’s son will do the publishing, Steve Rice will be escorting the Dean, I need to check on what flags the USSRC has and if necessary Jody Creekmore will get the GO’s flags.  We expect the web sign up (credit card payment) should be running later this week (the web master was out of country and got delayed because of the snow on the east coast last week.)  I will notify everyone when it is operational.

Jody Creekmore explained the new efforts that the Admission team is working on (Gail Dwyer has taken on the role of what the MALO’s used to do).  The team will begin undergoing some training to be able to spread the wealth of performing the interviews.  The “From Bob to the Point” display was shown along with the “bag” for counselors.  These were initiatives of the Ecklins.   Upcoming events:  Grissom Military night on the 2nd of Mar (I think I got that right – someone correct me if wrong.)  On 10 Mar the Outreach Officer from West Point will be at a by invitation meeting at Huntsville High.  Expanding the poster idea for each high school was discussed and the use of the bags.  Everyone thought it should be done.

The last major item was the nomination committee listing of vacant and vacating positions for the next three years.

These individuals will be voted on at the Founders Day dinner, other nominations can be made, but what follows is the recommendation:

President:  Mike Cantor ’80
Vice President: Tim Thames ’65  (this position is for two years due to vacancy)
Secretary: Gail Dwyer ’81
Board Position: Don Ecklin ’77
Board Position: Art Meier ’63

In the discussion by the Admissions Team, it was apparent that they will require some funds to make proper posters, displays and “bags”.  You have the opportunity to help out by making sure you add either membership dues or a donation with your Founders Day reservation.

Thanks to all who were there today and volunteered for Founders Day duties.  The next meeting will be on the 16th of March and by that time we will need more help.

Art Meier ’63

2010 Founders Day

Dear Fellow Graduate

On behalf of the members of the West Point Society of the Tennessee Valley, you are cordially invited to attend the celebration of the United States Military Academy’s, Founders Day 2010, at the Davidson Center, US Space and Rocket Center, on Friday, 26 March 2010.  Benny Haven’s hour will begin at 6:30 PM, with dinner at 7:30 PM.  Dress is formal (Mess or Dress Blues, tuxedo, business suit, or cocktail dress).

The guest speaker this year will be BG Patrick Finnegan, the Dean of USMA, Class of 1971.    

The US Space and Rocket Center will have guides available to explain the many displays within the Davidson Center during the Benny Haven’s hour.  As in the past we plan on welcoming new Friends of West Point.  Mr. Joe Fitzgerald and COL (ret) Tom Brown have been nominated.  We also will be welcoming those Candidates for the Class of 2014 who have accepted nominations.  This year we will not have speeches by the Oldest and Youngest Graduate present, although they will be recognized.

Please join us to renew old acquaintances, meet new graduates in our area, salute our Alma Mater on its 208th Birthday, and have fun.  Please respond by Sunday, 21 March 2010, by accessing our Society’s website. A link will take you to site where you can register for the dinner or pay your dues.   If you prefer to mail in your reservation, please use the attached sheet.

BEAT NAVY
Arthur C Meier ‘63
President

Dinner Choices:                    
Garden Salad
Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast
A six-ounce chicken breast marinated in a blend of herbs and spices then
seared on a hot grill and served with white barbeque sauce.
Served with Trio of Roasted Potatoes and Root vegetables and Baby Carrots.
$52.50*

Garden Salad
Portobello Mushroom
A Portobello mushroom marinated in a blend of herbs and spices then
seared on a hot grill and served with white barbeque sauce.
Served with Trio of Roasted Potatoes and Root vegetables and Baby Carrots.
$52.50*

Garden Salad
Beef and Scampi Combination
A six-ounce filet of tenderloin, pre-seasoned,
and served with herbed butter and
Four jumbo shrimp scampi over wild rice
Served with Trio of Roasted Potatoes and Root vegetables and Baby Carrots.
$62.50*

Garden Salad
Grilled Grecian Grouper
Fresh charbroiled grouper
garnished with a Fresh Basil and Tomato sauce
Served with Trio of Roasted Potatoes and Root vegetables and Baby Carrots.
$62.50*

 * Higher than registration via mail and check to cover the credit card processing fees.