Author: Bill Wilhelm

The dinner on Friday night is now going to be at 7:15. 
There will be one game on Friday from 6- 7, so Major Springer asked that we delay the dinner. 

Please sign up so we have a good count, thanks.

Art Meier ‘63
GO ARMY!

The Men’s Team Handball Club will be in Huntsville the 4-6 of May participating in the National Collegiate Tournament.  Army has two teams that will be playing on Saturday 5 May. There will be 26 Cadets that will be making the trip.  The Society will be hosting a Pizza and Salad dinner for the teams on Friday night at 6 pm in the Embassy Suites Hotel.  The cost will be $20 per person and you can pay at the door, but we need to know the number attending to make sure we have enough to go around.  Go to our website to sign up for the dinner. 

The Tournament will be held in the South Hall of the VBC.  I don’t know the cost of admission, or the schedule yet, but we know that there will be several games during the day.  I am working with the VBC to get a room in South Hall that the team can use as a break room and that Society members can come in and be with the teams between games.  It will have Gatorade, energy bars, and fruit available.  I will pass on the details as they become available.

Art Meier ‘63

Go Army!

MEN’S TEAM HANDBALL: Army’s Black team, competing in the Elite Division at the Team Handball Open National Championships, went undefeated in the opening round with 3 straight wins. They then won their semifinal game, but lost to the #1 seed in the championship game. The second place finish competing against the best teams in the country is the best finish in the history of the sport at West Point. On May 4-6, Army will compete for the college national championship in Huntsville, Alabama

The luncheon scheduled for Tuesday, 17 April is cancelled.

I have spoken with the OIC’s of the Team Handball teams (Men and Women) about assisting them in their visit to HSV.  Right now it looks like the Women’s team will not be coming, apparently the other women’s teams that Army was to play will not be competing.- Major Christa Chewar was not clear what was happening – the women’s competition may be in another location.  Major Chris Springer was on his way to class when I reached him, so we only touched base.  I will try today to get more information.  According to the website, the competition for the Men would be on the 5th of May.  When the Hockey team was here we treated them to pizza at a location that is no longer in existence.  I am looking for suggestions, and what comes to my mind would be Indigo Joe’s. 

In May, we will have the monthly luncheon at the Veteran’s Memorial Museum.  That will be on the 15th at 1130 hours.  We will have the ROCC cater the meal – BBQ.  Last year it turned out great.  We will have a speaker that day also.  Dave Carney the President of the Military Coalition will be discussing what the Coalition does.  Also the Museum folks will be present to answer any questions.  This is a great way to start off the Memorial Day period.  We will need a count for the meals, so soon we will have a sign up (numbers) on the website like last year.  Remember your spouse or friends are invited to this event, so here is a chance to show your workmates something about the Military and how Huntsville supports them.

The result of the poll for next years Founders’ Day:  It turned out that it was a tie between the 7th and 14th of March.  I chose the 7th, since many complained of Spring Break this year.  So next year, that is NOT an excuse.

More on the Team Handball (Men’s) when I get it.

Art Meier ‘63

BEAT NAVY – IN LAX —-   SEE YOU ALL AT BUFFALO WINGS IN JONES VALLEY  1130

The movie Brats: Our Journey Home will be shown in Huntsville on 24 April at 6:00 PM at the Space and Rocket Center free of charge. For more information see http://www.bratsourjourneyhome.com/

For Immediate Release:

WEST POINT, N.Y., Dec. 5, 2006 — The Board of Directors of the Association of Graduates has selected Robert McClure, the United States Military Academy Class of 1976, to become the organization's president and chief executive officer.

He will succeed Seth Hudgins, USMA Class of 1964, who served 17 years in the position and oversaw the Development Office's planning and execution of the Association's Bicentennial Campaign which raised more than $200 million. The money from that campaign, in large measure, went to meet the Academy's "Margin of Excellence" needs.

Lt. Gen. Theodore Stroup, Association board chairman, said, "On a number of occasions, I have stated that the theme of 'Continuity , Change, and Growth' will guide the affairs of the association as it moves forward. I am confident that this will continue to be the case now that the board will be working with a new president and CEO to achieve the AOG's strategic goals."

McClure will be leaving his present position as a senior defense analyst with Booz Allen Hamilton in suburban Washington. After retiring from the Army in 2004 as chief of the Army's War Plans Division, he became New York regional director of Business Executives for National Security.

While at the Academy, he commanded the First Regiment in his senior year and played Corps Squad football. McClure was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers and commanded at the company, battalion and brigade level. He also served as an aide to the commander in chief, U.S. Army Europe and had a three-year tour as a professor in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point. During his Army career, he studied in Germany as an Olmsted Scholar and had fellowships at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Council of Foreign Relations.

McClure retired as a colonel.

Richard Graf, USMA Class of 1971, headed the search committee. Michael Franzino, also Class of 1971 and a partner in the executive recruiting firm of Heidrick and Struggles, donated his services as a consultant to the committee.

POC: COL (R) John Calabro, Vice President for Alumni Support, Association of Graduates. 845-4461610; John.Calabro@USMA.edu

The Class of '96 has arranged for the use of one of the rooms in the new Indigo Joe's – it is on Hwy 72 between HSV and Madison. Gathering time is 1100 hours.

The November luncheon will be held on the 21st of November at the ROCC, at 1130 hours.  This will be the last luncheon of the year – Program will consist of preparations for the Army Navy Game. The class of 96 is hosting the event and Mike Cowperthwait or another classmate will be on-hand to discuss.  Remember to check out our web page to indicate your interest in attending. http://www.west-point.org/society/wps-tenn-valley/      I think the event will be at Indigo Joe's on Highway 72 –  new location, smoke free, large screens, etc. – But I will let the class of 96 expound.

The game against Notre Dame on Saturday is supposed to be on NBC.  I am not sure if that is regional, but if it is not, we might meet at Indigo Joes – it should be open this weekend I believe – However, we may have to contend which a few Auburn-Alabama fans – Not sure of the timing of the two games.  The Army-Notre Dame game is suppose to be at 2:30.

Also I would like to remind all that in January we will be nominating individuals for board members and society officers.  If anyone is interested in being an officer or board member please let me know.  The consititution and by-laws are on the web-page and we will be following the procedures therein for the election.

The Society has nominated COL(R) Tom Devanney as a Friend of West Point.  He will be honored at the Founders Day Dinner scheduled for 16 March 07.  We still do not have a confirmed speaker, but we anticipate it will be a distingushed speaker – possibly one of the individuals who are in a department chair.  Mark your calendars for March.

Remember to indicate your interest in the Army Navy Game.

Art Meier '63

BEAT NAVY

Location is Indigo Joe’s, 7407 Hwy 72 West (just East of where Beef O'Brady's was), (256) 489-9393.  It’s a family-friendly establishment so please feel free to bring kids.  Come even if you didn’t RSVP—the more we outnumber the squids the better.

Indigo Joe’s will open at 11.  Anyone is welcome to show up whenever.

If anyone has memorabilia to dress up the room, get there early (~12:30?). 

Kickoff is at 1:30

North Alabama Veterans & Fraternal Organizations Coalition
18 October 2006
Minutes of meeting – prepared by Valerie Coffey

Location: Knights of Columbus
Joe Fitzgerald, President, presiding

Call to Order:

• Pledge of Allegiance — Bill Hogan
• Invocation — Bob Wilke
• Secretary's Report – accepted
• Treasurer's Report – no report 

Committee Reports:

• VP Finance – Bill Meiers.  The upcoming fundraiser is postponed because of the focus on the Veterans' Day Parade.  We don't want to compete for resources.  When we start the fundraiser, we want to emphasize the "individual sponsorships" so our community can take ownership and show support to our military.

• – The three focus areas of the fund raising program are:

• Personal and family sponsors – there will be bronze, silver, and gold sponsor levels ranging from $10 to $50.  Names of all sponsors will be displayed on a placard at OCB 3 and the WHT.  Each sponsorship level will purchase a teddy bear, decorations, a gift for the spouse, and/or game support.
• Public sponsors – we will appeal to the public for donations using full page ads in the Huntsville Times, regional newspapers, and press releases.
• Corporate sponsors – Dick Snow will solicit grants and donations from corporations and organizations (ASMDA, AUSA, AADA, etc).
• VP Military Affairs – John Perry.  On Friday 20 Oct at 1100, the City of Madison will host "Candy Lift 2006."  Spangler Candy Company donated 130 pounds of DumDum Lollipops to our Soldiers for giving to Iraqi kids while on patrol.  Immediately after the ceremony we will take the candy to the post office for shipping.  This candy will support our efforts to win the hearts and minds of the children in Iraq.
• VP Membership – Chuck Park.  No report.

Special Reports:

• Knights of Columbus (host comments) – George Jobcznski.  On 19 November the Knights of Columbus will host a pancake breakfast to benefit the Veterans Museum.  The cost is $4 for all you can eat (pancakes, sausage, bacon, fried potatoes, toast, coffee, juice).  The hours are 0800-1115.
• WWII Memorial Veteran Recognition Project – Judy Carney.  Over 16 million American men and women served in World War II.  The WW II Memorial has started a project to recognize these men and women by asking people to submit their names, stories and a picture to the WWII Memorial Website (WHAT IS THE WEB ADDRESS?).  Currently, approximately 3,000 Alabamians are registered.  Mrs. Carney is leading an effort to get more Alabamians registered.  Many WW II veterans do not have the ability to register themselves, so starting in Madison County at the Tut Fann Veterans Home, Mrs. Carney and some volunteers will have a party, during which they will interview and register the veterans at that home.  Mrs. Carney plans to get the community involved to continue the effort to other assisted living homes, senior centers, and communities.  Every day 1,500 WW II veterans are dying.  This information is slipping out of our hands, and we are losing a rich part of our history. 
• WWII Veterans Memorial Honor Program – Melinda Gorham/Joe Fitzgerald.  The Huntsville Times is spearheading a project to honor our WWII veterans, by providing an all expense trip paid to visit the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.  The plan is to invite these veterans to fly to DC on a chartered plane, spend the night in a hotel, and then visit the memorial and hold a ceremony, and then fly the veterans home.   This will be an overnight trip, and medical personnel and personnel escorts/family members will be included in the trip.  The trip will be around Apr-Jun 2007.  All WWII veterans in North Alabama will be included.  The Veterans Coalition will be the single point of contact for The Huntsville Times, but will only be a conduit for the member organizations.
• Veterans Day Events –

• – Dinner at VBCC North Hall on 10 Nov at 1730. Tables are sold for $1500 and $1000. Individual reservations are $60 per person. The Madison County Heritage Commission will be inducting 9 members into the Hall of Heroes, and 17 people will receive Purple Hearts. AUSA and the Veterans Coalition will present a shadow box to LT Love's parents.
• – Breakfast at VBCC North Hall (11 Nov) at 0900.
• – Pre-Parade event honoring all veterans at 1030. There will be HS color guards and HS chorus. POC is Tom Brown with 19^th AL.
• – Parade starts at the VBCC at 1100, loops around to the Veterans Memorial Park, and then ends back at the VBCC. There will be a two reviewing stands, one at the VBCC and one at the Veterans Park. There will be approximately 150 entries in the parade. Please register in advance on line. Parade order information will be issued on parade day. Arrive for the parade around 0830.
• – Veterans Memorial Park program starts at 1100. The Redstone Rocketeers will perform, and the 19^th Alabama will put on a program and there will be static displays. Coordinate with Tom Brown for this event.

• Operation Christmas Bear 3 – Bill Meiers.  This will be at the Cahaba Shrine 1300-1600 on 9 December.  The key areas of responsibility are filled.  The OPORD will be sent out via email in the next 10 days.  If your organization cannot fulfill a responsibility as listed in the OPORD, contact Bill Meiers asap.  Attendees should register with the ACS at 256-876-5397. 
• Military Loan Practices – Tom Brown.  Congress passed a law so that active duty military cannot use pay day loan companies.  COL (R) Brown is leading an effort to get the Alabama legislature to pass a similar law to protect our Reserve and National Guard military, and our law enforcement personnel.

Other Committee Reports:

• Nominating Committee Appointment – Nominating committee has been appointed.  They will report their recommendations to the Veterans Coalition at the next meeting.  The committee members are:  Bob Wilke (Chair), David Carney, B?, John Perry, and Bill Hogan.  Positions to fill are President, Vice President, Treasurer, VP Finance, Secretary, VP Military Affairs, and VP Membership.
• Annual Master Plan for 2006
• Blue Star Banner Program

• – 21 Oct – 128^th MP Company ceremony at Lockheed Martin Auditorium at 1000 (175 Soldiers)
• – 28 Oct – 1169^th Engineer Company ceremony at NG Armory on Green Cove Road at 1300 (85 Soldiers)
• – Past – On 14 Oct – 152^nd MP Company ceremony at Goose Pond Resort in Scottsboro at 1000 (175 Soldiers)

Roundtable Reports:

• 8^th AFHS – Bill Varnedoe.  Attended 8^th AF reunion.  On 25-27 Oct there will be a B17 and a B24 at the Meridianville airport.
• American Legion Post 229 – Carl Dow.  No report.
• Cahaba Shrine – Bill Hogan.  No report. 
• Disabled Veterans (DAV) – Hollis Bridges.  DAV's facility burned.  They are looking for a new location.  This is a 501c3, so any space donated could be a charitable contribution for a tax exemption.  They need at least two office spaces and six parking spaces.  The veterans community helped Eric (what is his last name?) with bills, and VA paperwork.  He qualified for 100% disability and VA medical care.
• Jewish War Veterans – Bill ?.  No report.
• Korean War Veterans – Bob Mixon.  No report.
• Military Officers Association (MOAA) – Steve Crawley.  No report.
• Warrant Officers Association – Max Bennett.  Completed Habitat for Humanity shed.  Now doing community projects for CASA, specifically to build wheelchair ramps.   WOA, along with MOAA and AUSA, lobbies Congress for military friendly legislation.
• SMDWG & MDIA – Bob Wilke.  No report.
• West Point Society of the Tennessee Valley – Valerie Coffey.  No report.
• United States Army Reserve – John Perry.  No report.
• MOWW — Tom Brown.  Thanks to the WOA for their generous gift.  Working with Space and Rocket Center to develop leadership programs for HS sophomores and juniors.
• Veterans Museum – Randy Witherow.  Pancake breakfast at the Knights of Columbus on 19 Nov.

Master Calendar of events:

• 20 Oct – Operation Candy Lift 2006 at Madison City Hall at 1100
• 21 Oct — 128^th MP Company Blue Star ceremony at Lockheed Martin Auditorium at 1000 (175 Soldiers)
• 28 Oct –1169^th Engineer Company Blue Star ceremony at NG Armory on Green Cove Road at 1300 (85 Soldiers)
• 10 Nov — Veterans Day Dinner at VBCC North Hall at 1730
• 11 Nov – Veterans Day Breakfast at VBCC North Hall at 0900
• 11 Nov – Veterans Day kick off events at Veterans Park at 0940
• 11 Nov – Veterans Day parade at VBCC at 1100
• 9 Dec – Operation Christmas Bear 3 at Cahaba Shrine at 1300-1700
• TBD Jan 07 – Veterans Coalition Awards Ceremony

Adjourn:  Next meeting will be at American Legion Post 237 on 15 November.