March President’s message
Our February traditional Valentine’s dinner was a huge success. We had 32 USNA Alumni, guests and parents and 12 USMA Alumni and guests. This is the first of several joint ventures we plan with the Army Alumni. Thanks to Doug Bomarito for all your efforts in getting this organized.
Our March meeting will be on March 11th at 11:30 at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Our speaker will be David Rajkovich, president of the Stockton Maritime Museum in Northern California and a few members of his staff. David will make a presentation on the non-magnetic ships, minesweeping and ship Building. His organization is currently restoring the USS Lucid (MSO 458). Our oldest active alumni John Frerichs was a plank owner on the Lucid in 1955.
On Saturday April 4th the Oregon SW Washington USNA Parent’s Club will hold its First Salute Coin Luncheon honoring the parents of the graduating 1st class midshipmen of the class of 2020 at 1:00 at Langdon Farms. If interested in attending, please RSVP to usnapcorwa@gmail.com.
At our April meeting (April 8th at 11:30 at the Old Spaghetti Factory) we will host SGM (ret) Gavin McLlvenna, President of the Society of Honor Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. November 11, 2021 will be the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. SGM (ret) McLlvenna will give us insights into the origins and history of the Tomb. I was able to hear him speak at the USMA meeting in Dec. He is quite impressive. You do not want to miss this.
We are looking for some new council members. We meet twice a year and plan the chapter activities and direction. If you are interested in helping out then let me know or just show up at our meeting. We can use your help.
The Washington County Schools are starting their Veteran’s Appreciation Days. The first is at Southridge High School on Thursday April 16th from 0800 to 1430. This is an excellent opportunity to talk to young people about the military (most know little or nothing about military life or any of the Academies). If interested in attending, please contact Tim Myers dudleyolive@comcast.net.
At our May meeting (11:30 May 13th Old Spaghetti Factory) Mr. John “J” Wanders will talk with us on the USS LCI 713. Several years back we had a presentation on the LCI. This presentation will focus on the LCI as a (work in progress) Naval Museum. Mr. Wanders will also be auctioning a copy of his book, “The Ablest Navigator, Lieutenant Paul M. Shulman, Israel’s Volunteer Admiral”. Additionally, Mr. Wanders, on behalf of AFMM (Amphibious forces Memorial Museum) and PT-658, extends an invitation for our entire organization to visit both ships On Saturday, May 16 (which is Armed Forces Day). Both ships are berthed at Swan Island. The PT boat is in its boat house. The LCI is moored at pier side in the Lagoon. Both ships are somewhat small, so in the morning one half of our group would tour the LCI and the other half a static (non-cruising) tour of the PT-boat. After a mid-day light lunch in the LCI’s mess deck, the two groups would shift and visit the other vessel.
On our website is posted a flyer on a Veterans Job Fair on March 5th from 10-3 at the Doubletree Hotel (1000 NE Multnomah St.) in Portland sponsored by the BPA.
Remember, Chapter Challenge Coins can be the perfect gift. See Frank Swientek.