May 2004 President's Corner

Bill Rentz '55, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

Allow me to invite your attention to the May Blue & Gold Officer's article on this web site and in the May newsletter. Cindy Miller, area Blue & Gold Coordinator, is looking for a few good men and women. I also understand that Carl McCallum and Mike Herger are looking for volunteers for the Lobster Fest work crew. Volunteers are what makes this Chapter engine go.

Sad news to report about the passing of our honored Chapter mate, CAPT Paul B. Smith,USN (Ret.) Class of ‘42, on April 16, 2004. Paul was a true member of the “Greatest Generation” and was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions off Okinawa in April 1945 on board the destroyer USS Laffey under multiple kamikaze attacks. There was a great article about Paul in the April 23 Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I have a copy if anyone missed it. Paul will be missed and we appreciate his leadership with the great class of ’42 contingent, which set the pace for alumni fellowship in the Atlanta Chapter.

News from another Chapter member. We received the following e-mail on April 22 from VADM Scott Redd, USN (Ret.), ’66, from Baghdad. “Life moves on. Tomorrow I will turn over duties as Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Coalition Provisional Authority and return to Washington to assume duties as Executive Director of the Presidential Commission on Intelligence Capabilities relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction in early May. I leave Baghdad with mixed emotions. While the press of daily challenges is strong and persistent, I believe that the strategic course we are pursuing is right and enduring. The history of this region will be positively affected by what we are doing. It has been a high privilege to serve with a superb group of people in a significant and noble undertaking. Teddy Roosevelt is reported to have said, “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” By that measure, we have been greatly blessed.”

I have exchanged mail with Scott, congratulating him on completion of an historic assignment and eliciting from him a promise to give the Chapter some sea stories at a future monthly luncheon when his schedule permits.

As a follow on to Chet Gladchuks rousing speech to us about Navy athletics last March, the following article appeared on Navy Sports. NAVY WINS SEASON SERIES AGAINST ARMY FOR THE 12^TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR. ANNAPOLIS, Md. -Navy athletic teams posted a16-13 (.568) record against Army during the 2003-04 season, marking the12^th straight year that the Midshipmen have won the season series against the Black Knights. Navy’s varsity sports teams were 13-9 (.591) against Army in N-star competitions this year with wins in golf, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, women’s swimming, men’s swimming, football, men’s basketball, men’s indoor track, women’s indoor track, wrestling, rifle, lacrosse, and men’s outdoor track. Navy has now won the season series against Army 31 of the last 33 years (the two tied in 1972-73 and Army won the season series in 1991-92). Dating back to the first Army-Navy competition in 1890, Navy has won the season series 56 times compared to 38 by Army and there have been 12 ties.”

What can I say, but Beat Army! and do you suppose Bobby Ross knows what he’s getting into?

Bill Rentz ’55