March 2007 President's Corner

Steve Frederick '72, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

Finally, the great Atlanta weather has returned after a hiatus of a few months, and none too soon. As the warm, sunny weather returns, our thoughts of course turn to the Vernal Equinox, the Dark Ages and ultimately, golf. Coincidentally, Mitch Rowland ’71, our intrepid Vice President, is feverishly working on our Vernal Equinox party, to be held sometime in the mid March to the mid April timeframe (our celestial nav has gotten a bit sloppy with all this new fangled electronic stuff available, so don’t hold us to a specific date yet) somewhere on the south side of town. As soon as we nail down the particulars, word will go out via our website and email (one more reason to become a member and get on our email list). This annual event is specifically designed to be convenient to our south side brethren since most of our events tend to be held on the north side of town. Keep an eye out for the when and where and plan to join us. The usual fare is barbeque and suds, along with a great helping of camaraderie.

Additionally, we have the Dark Ages Party coming up on 28 April with Paul Johnson as our guest speaker. The event will be held at the Cobb Galleria once again, and invitations are expected to be mailed out in mid March. REMEMBER, INVITAIONS WILL BE MAILED TO MEMBERS ONLY. If you do not have an invitation by the end of March and are currently a member, get in contact with one of the Board members, and we will make sure that you receive one. If you want to receive an invitation and are not currently a member, go online to www.usnaaaa.com and sign up immediately – you will then receive an invitation in short order. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit with Navy’s head football coach, and talk about the future of Navy football.

On 8 May we will once again gird our loins and meet the Woops in mortal combat on the fairways of honor at Fort McPherson in Atlanta. For the past eleven years we have taken on the Woops in a golf match for local military bragging rights and have won nine of those events. Much to my dismay, last year, my first in the saddle as your President, was the second loss that we have suffered in the history of this event. Unless we win this year, I will go down in history as the only Chapter President to have failed to preside over a win over Army. Consequently, I am exhorting each of you to get to the driving ranges and courses in your area and PRACTICE. This year more than ever, we must BEAT ARMY. Will Wood ’66 is once again in charge of the Navy side of the event production. Expect to see information regarding sign up etc. in the near term. Until then remember, practice, practice, practice.

In the midst of all this scrap and scrimmage, we are still having our monthly luncheons on the third Friday of the month. In February, we had our second meeting at Frankie’s at the Prado. Bob Barr, former congressman and long time Georgia political figure, was our guest speaker and really did a great job of giving us his insider’s view of the goings on inside the beltway. His observations we very interesting and the event was one of the best luncheons we have had in some time. Bob seemed to enjoy himself as well, and when I presented the much coveted apron along with his standing invitation to the World Famous Lobster Fest in June, he instructed me to make sure that his office knew when and where the event would take place. Hopefully, he will join us. Attendees at the luncheon included: Jim Ravenel ’45 (who, by the way, arranged for Bob to join us), Jim Hatch ’47, Mike Rose ’48, Sam Smith ’52, Bill Rentz ’55, Mike Miller ’56, Reggie Vachon ’58, Donald Thompson ’59, Harvey Cybul ’61, Ed Hux ’61, Dick Fitzgerald ’62, Dee Fitzgerald, Paul Hurst ’62, Nancy Hurst, Tony Womble ’63, Bruce Abel ’64, John Andrews ’64, Bill Holmes ’64, Lorie Moore ’64, Terry Anderson ’65, Stewart Caldwell ’65, Bob Snelling ’65, Bill Williams ’65, Jon Barton ’66, Jim Slemenda ’66, Paul Borer ’70, Dick Click ’70, Mitch Rowland ’71, Steve Frederick ’72, Pete Knoetgen ’77, Mario Maddox ’85, Jerry Tyner ’87, Andy Guth ’89, Jay Wicklund ’97, John Chavos ’00, and Bob Barr, our guest speaker.

ATTENTION WORLD:

The guest speaker for our March luncheon is Dr. Lori Salierno, the President and CEO of Celebrate Life International, an organization dedicated to transforming at-risk youth into responsible citizens. The luncheon itself will be held on 16 March at the National Museum of Patriotism in midtown Atlanta, at the corner of 18^th Street and Spring Street (1405 Spring Street). It is a terrific venue that is exactly what it sounds like, a tribute to this country and people that make it great. It is full of inspiring and educational displays and presentations, and is a place that you ought to be aware of. I was introduced to the Museum several months ago and we have actually held a Board of Directors meeting there. I know of no one who has not been very favorably impressed after their visit, so plan to join us at the usual time: 1130 doors open, and 1200 the chow line opens. See the website for more information about our guest speaker and directions to the venue.

As always, stay in touch with our organization through our website, and sign up for membership immediately. Your participation is critical to our long term success, and frankly, you are the only reason we exist as an organization. Join us at any and all of our events for an opportunity to rub elbows and network with some of the people who shared your experiences of four years together by the bay. It really doesn’t get any better than this. See you soon at one of our events, and or course:

BEAT ARMY!

Steve Frederick ’72
Chapter President