SAFESIDE ASSOCIATION

BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES

 

 

OPENING REMARKS:

 

President Jerry Nelson opened the meeting at 1900, 9 Nov 2007, at the Sheraton Hotel, Arlington, Virginia, by introducing himself and the Association’s Board of Directors. Vice President Villarreal volunteered to take the Minutes, since our Secretary, Sherrie Conkright, was unable to attend.

 

Vice-President Pete Villarreal discussed the Veteran’s Day Parade, scheduled for 10 November. Vice President Villarreal described the parade formation and pointed out that Safeside members and their wives would march to the rear of the VSPA group, providing rear security. President Jerry Nelson will be marching in front of the VSPA formation with VSPA President Steve Gattis. 

 

The Color Guard marching in front of the VSPA formation will consist of several members, including Dave Pierson, of the 821st CSPS, who will carry The Safeside Association Flag.  The K-9 members will be posted on the perimeter of the formation, providing perimeter security.  K-9 member Kelley Bateman brought his German Sheppard from Wimberley, Texas, specifically for this event. 

 

The Safeside Association Color Guard will be:  Charlie Huber, 1041st SPS (T) will carry the 1041st Flag; Rich Nucifora, 821st CSPS will carry the 82nd CSP Wg Flag; and Victor Calendaria, 823rd CSPS will carry the 820 SFGp Flag.

 

Vice-President Villarreal asked everyone to stand so that we could honor two Safesiders, AlC Lee Bernard Chavis of the 820th SFGp and Colonel Chuck Heubusch, of the 1041st SPS (T), that perished this past year.  This prayer followed:

 

            OH GOD, WE PRAY THEE THAT THE MEMORY OF OUR SAFESIDE COMRADES, AIRMAN FIRST CLASS LEE BERNARD CHAVIS, FALLEN IN BATTLE, AND COLONEL CHARLES J. HEUBUSCH, WHO SERVED A DISTINGUISED CAREER IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, MAY EVER BE IN OUR HEARTS; THAT THE SACRIFICES WHICH THEY HAVE OFFERED FOR OUR COUNTRY’S CAUSE MAY BE ACCEPTABLE IN THY SIGHT; AND THAT AN ENTRANCE INTO THINE ETERNAL PEACE MAY, BY THY PARDONING GRACE, BE OPEN UNTO THEM THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

 

AMEN

 


 

FALCON’S REST

 

LAY ASIDE YOUR SAFESIDE CREST,

AND STACK YOUR WEAPON.

ENTER INTO THE FALCON’S REST.

 

WET BUNKERS AND BARBED WIRE,

ARE NO LONGER YOUR QUEST.

ENTER INTO THE FALCON’S REST.

 

KNOW AT LEAST YOUR RACE IS RUN,

AND BE PROUD OF YOUR DUTY DONE.

ENTER INTO THE FALCON’S REST.

 

YOU, OH WARRIOR, WERE AMONG THE BEST,

YOU STOOD PROUD AND PASSED THE TEST.

WELCOME NOW INTO THE FALCON’S REST.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Association has an 82nd CSP Wg Buckle, designed by Carey Stark. In previous years the buckle has been raffled off.  The winner kept it for a year and brought it to the next reunion.  Discussion ensued and it was voted upon to retire the belt buckle to a Safeside Museum at Moody AFB, Ga.  (President Jerry Nelson later contacted Colonel Decknick who agreed to a Safeside Heritage Room at the 820th SFGp Hqts).

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. The possibility of having Safeside reunions at Moody was brought up and discussed.  We agreed that we would continue to attend VSPA Reunions, but that we could organize reunions on a bi-annual basis at Moody AFB.  It is imperative for the Safeside Association to be exposed to our new breed.  The warriors of today are the ones that will carry the legacy of Safeside, and there is no better way than to meet with them on their home turf.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

  1. VSPA President Steve Gattis (Honorary Safeside Life Member) spoke to the membership.  If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Steve, you are for a treat when you do. This gentleman is a polished communicator.  He has class and great organizational skills.  His memory is phenomenal.  He remembered that in 2000 there were only 3 Safesiders attending the VSPA Reunion, and that we all wore stars and stripes ties.  Wow!  Steve briefed the Safesiders to the fact that we were welcome to have our reunions, and that he would love to see Michael Clunis join the group.  Those Safesiders that are not members of VSPA would be restricted from attending the VSPA Business Meeting, but that should not restrict Safeside members from breaking bread.  Steve went on to congratulate the Safeside members for enhancing the relationship between Safeside and VSPA.  “It’s all about Brotherhood!”  God bless you Steve Gattis.

 

  1. President Jerry Nelson developed the idea of having an annual Sergeant Major Bob Frink Award.  Discussion ensued and many ideas were exchanged.  In order to develop the criteria for the award, a committee was formed:  Jerry Nelson, Pete Villarreal, Bill McGraw, Dave Pierson and Charlie Huber.

 

  1. Bill McGraw has submitted recommended changes to the By-laws since the Safeside Association is no longer incorporated.  President Jerry Nelson will email a copy of the recommend changes to the Board.

 

  1. Dave Pierson, of the 821st CSP, was recognized for organizing a fund raising event that raised in excess of $50,000 for families of deployed military personnel.  Dave Pierson’s group distributes checks to needy families to cover expenses such as electricity bills, car payments, mortgage payments….no questions asked.  Thank you Dave, on behalf of all our deployed military personnel.

 

  1. Rich Ryan, of the 821st  CSP, donated a shadow box containing all of the squadron patches and a “Bowie” knife with its scabbard.  It is a piece of “art from the heart”.  At first, we planned to raffle it off to provide funds for the Association but it was determined to be just too meaningful for that. The shadow box will be placed in the Safeside Heritage Room at Moody AFB, where it will be on display in perpetuity for all to see a part of our heritage.

 

  1. Elections were held and the following personnel were elected to the offices indicated:  Pete Villarreal, Vice-President; Charlie Huber, 1041st SPS(T) Board Member; Dave Pierson, 821st CSPS Board Member, and Bill McGraw, 822nd CSPS Board Member.

 

  1. The following Safesiders were recognized for service to the Association:  Rick Adams, 823rd CSPS, for the efforts and time contributed to manage the Membership program.  Rick took the project over and established a database, and improved the methodology for recruiting and retaining members. This has resulted in significant growth for our Association..  JB McGuire, 822nd CSPS, twice collected funds for the deployed 822nd SFS members, and mailed them “goodie” packages.  JB has attended reunions in the past five years and is actively involved in the Association.  Steve Wieman, 823rd CSPS, and his UAW Union Members donated thousand of dollars towards the purchase of coolers, which they stuffed with goodies for our deployed troops.  And again the call went out, at the request of MSgt Lopez and CMSgt Murphy, 822nd SFS, Camp Bucca, Iraq, for sporting equipment.  Steve collected used soccer balls and equipment and mailed to the deployed 822nd SFS for distribution to the school children.  Well done, men.  A special Safeside Award is being produced, and once completed; they will be mailed to each of them.

AMENDMENT:  The meeting neglected to recognize a group of folks in the American Legion Post #37, in Omaha, Nebraska, headed by our Treasurer, Roger Nelson that collected funds for shipment of goodies to the deployed 822nd, twice.  The local UPS Store donated the shipping containers, and the time to pack the containers with the goodies.  The first shipment of packages weighed 130 pounds.

The second shipment weighed 170 pounds, and a local businessman donated the funds for the postage.  Thanks to Roger and his volunteers, on behalf of all the deployed troops of the 822nd SFS.



ATTENDANCE:

 

The following attended the 2007 Reunion:

    1. Pete Villarreal, 822nd
    2. Jerry Nelson, 821st
    3. Gary Jones, 822nd
    4. Alan Fox, 822nd
    5. Jim Rossiter,822nd
    6. Larry Rupp,822nd
    7. Bill McGraw, 82nd
    8. Dave Pierson, 821st
    9. Ray Silhavy, 822nd
    10. Rich Nucifora, 821st
    11. Joe Spencer, 821st
    12. Terry Gallivan, 822nd
    13. Rich Ryan, 821st
    14. Charlie Huber, 1041st
    15. Calvin Herdman, 821st
    16. John Zolondz, 822nd
    17. Victor Calendaria, 823rd
    18. Horace Heibe, 822nd
    19. Kenneth Cole, 821st
    20. George Royse, 823rd

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

The meeting was adjourned at dark thirty.  See you next year at Albuquerque, NM, home of the 377th SPS, which fought bravely at Ton Son Nhut.

 

 

 

SIGNED                                                                     SIGNED

Jerry R. Nelson                                                           Pete Villarreal,

President                                                                     Vice-President