December 2003 President's Corner

Chapter President Bill Rentz '55, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter

Greetings to those who have recently moved to the Greater Atlanta area, or those who have lived here for a while and have not participated in Chapter events, but would like to. We would like to have you join us. Check out our fine Atlanta Chapter website at www.usnaaaa.com for reports on recent events and the Events Calendar for upcoming activities. You will see that your Chapter Board of Directors stays pretty busy planning and organizing these functions and that the people in charge have done a bang-up job in carrying out the plan. We are always looking for more ideas and help from alumni in the area.

As I am writing this in December, we have just completed the Army-Navy telethon on Georgia Public TV on December 4, soundly trouncing the West Pointers, thanks to the leadership of Mike Herger ’90. And you know how the Football Game came out on December 6. We had a large crowd watching that at T.J.’s Sports Bar in Roswell, shepherded by Nick Ward ’74 along with some quiet West Pointers. Our Chapter Christmas Party was at Sue and Bill Rentz’s ’55 home in Locust Grove and we had about 40 hardy souls who braved a cold, wet night for a hearty party. Our Chapter monthly luncheon was held as usual on the third Friday of the month, December 19, at Jocks & Jills in Brookhaven. No speaker was scheduled this month, so Bill Rentz briefed those present on the recent Board of Trustees and Admissions Standing Committee meetings, which he attended, and the occasion was used for a Business Networking session. We are getting ready to gather on December 30th at Jocks & Jills for the Houston Bowl where Navy takes on Texas Tech.

On January 16 to 18, 2004, the USNA Gospel Choir will be in Atlanta, visiting several High Schools, appearing on CNN on January 16, and having lunch with Chapter and Parents Club members before performing at Ebenezer Baptist Church at the Martin Luther King Center on January 17. We understand that the Superintendent, VAdm Rempt, will participate at Ebenezer. February 7 is our Chapter Founder’s Day/Dark Ages Dinner Dance at Cobb Galleria, a Black Tie affair for members only, organized by Steve Frederick ’72. USNA Alumni Association President and CEO George Watt and his wife Peggy will be Guests of Honor. On the Vernal Equinox, March 20, 2004, the Chapter will gather on the Southside of Atlanta again at “The Barn” in Tyrone, Georgia, for a real Southern BBQ. Mitch Rowland ’71 who is organizing it said to bring your Rolaids.

Our final two events for this year are the Army – Navy Golf tourney at Ft. McPherson on May 7, headed up by Will Wood ’66, and the world famous Atlanta Lobster Fest on June 5 at Red Top Mountain State Park, led by Mike Herger ’90 and a crew of workers and Kitchen Queens. We will also hold Chapter Officer elections on June 5.

By the time you read this in SHIPMATE, you may have already missed some of these activities, but my message to you is to keep checking the website Events Calendar for details, and be aware that these events don’t happen by themselves. We need your inputs and help to encourage your neighbors, classmates, old shipmates, and squadron mates to join us. We want their ideas, company, and most of all membership in the USNAAAA.

Bill Rentz '55