June 2005 President's Corner

Bill Rentz '55, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

This will be my last President’s Corner and Mary McElroy’s last newsletter for a while at least. We both have to go on to other things, but we won’t go far.

The election of Chapter Officers and Directors for 2005-2006 will be held at the June 17 monthly luncheon meeting. The nominated slate was announced last month and will be announced again at Lobster Fest on June 11. The slate was nominated in accordance with the Chapter By-Laws by a three man nominating committee. According to the By-Laws, any member can nominate a candidate for office to the President from the floor at a meeting prior to the election and the President can take a voice or written vote from the members present at the monthly meeting.

The following are the Nominees:

President: Steve Frederick ‘72
Vice President: Mitch Rowland ‘71
Treasurer: Eric Busko ’88 (2nd term)
Secretary: Paul Borer ‘70
Director for Membership: Ples Bruce ‘77
Director for Brigade Support: Stew Caldwell ‘65
Director General: Joe Frazar ‘65
Director General: Matt Kirby ‘94
Director General: Terry McElroy ‘86
Director General: Peter Knoetgen ‘77
Director General: Mary McElroy ‘87

My thanks to all for their willingness to serve and I urge your support. Show up at the June monthly meeting to give them your vote.

We also have an interesting speaker on June 17, Major Thomas A. Ross, US Army (retired) Special Forces, a local Atlanta businessman, who has authored an important book on his perspective on the Vietnam War. Tom is also a member of AVVBA, and if you were not able to be present for their annual dedication on May 26 of the memorial to a fallen Atlantan, CDR Bill Stoddard ’49, located at Colony Square on Peachtree Street at 14th Street, you missed one of the most moving ceremonies you will ever see. Next time you are near midtown, stop by to see the memorial, take your hat off, put your hand over your heart, or leave your hat on and salute, and thank an honored veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Remember also that he left behind a brave widow, Janey Stoddard, who raised their six children and 15 grandchildren, who were all present for the dedication. It was an honor to meet them all. ADM Jim Ellis ’69 and Capt Clint Johnson ’60 were the speakers and both gave moving and touching speeches. We are trying to get a videotape which we will show at a future event. My hat is off to the AVVBA for a class act!

By the time this is out the world famous Lobster Fest will be history. We will have shared it with some guests and Parents from the incoming midshipmen Class of 2009.

A great Navy Day! Again, these events and activities don’t happen by themselves. They are the result of a lot of work by some dedicated people.

If you didn’t get a copy of my May 2005 Board of Trustees Report, let me know and I will send you one, plus I’ll tell you how to get on the Alumni Association’s email list. The 2005 dues mailer should be out and the Roster of 2004 Atlanta Chapter Alumni members, a benefit of Chapter membership, should have made it through the mail to your hands. I repeat, all of these things don’t happen by themselves. Look up a classmate, shipmate, squadron mate, or neighbor and encourage them to join

Bill Rentz ’55