I am told there was a small, but enthusiastic crowd at the Navy Birthday dinner, and we are starting to settle in to scheduling our normal activities for the foreseeable future. We are looking forward to the Marine Corps birthday luncheon in November and our Greatest Generation celebration in December. For the Marine Corps birthday Doug Bomarito is soliciting our usual crowd of Marine Corps vets, and we are hoping for a good turnout of alumni, spouses and guests. Mike is trying to connect with Rich Walton to be a presenter in December. Capt. Walsh has graciously adjusted his schedule a couple of times now as we have manipulated our planned meetings around COVID restrictions and restaurant availabilities. He will now be presenting in April, and we will make every effort to assure that he does. We thank him for his patience with us.
The Army-Navy Game looms large on the horizon, and we will once again be asking Big Al’s to host the combined Alumni Associations. This has traditionally been a large, well-attended event, and we are hoping for a similar, pre-pandemic, group of football fans in Portland. It is yet unknown whether there will be an effort to have Vancouver, Medford and/or Bend gatherings. It seems that any time people in those areas gather to celebrate the event, a good time is had by all.
I will reiterate once again that the Old Spaghetti Factory has been very accommodating, and there have been no restrictions regarding spacing at or between tables. There is enough room to spread out and take the individual precautions that your comfort level requires. Masks are currently required if a person is roaming around the room or the premises. Costs have risen over the past two years and we were losing money on our luncheons prior to the pandemic. By increasing the luncheon donation to $25, we are currently covering the increased cost of food, non-alcoholic drinks, and an 18% gratuity. It is very much in line with the menu costs at the restaurant.
While I am spending the winter here in Colorado with our family, I am hoping that people everywhere are starting to feel more comfortable with their chosen methods of personal protection against COVID, the flu and the other maladies which affect us. Clearly, we are not out of the woods, but between the protections required by our governments and our personal efforts, I’m hoping we can settle into a new normal with which we feel safer. I am truly missing the contact I have had with our friends and neighbors and I sense that you are, too.
Happy Hour has been a real blessing. Attendance has been limited to a few die-hards of 15 people or so who pop in an out as they feel so inclined. We have considered such issues as why the Navy defensive backs this year are having so many problems with the passing attacks of their opponents, whose kids and grandkids are having successful soccer seasons, where there are good places are to visit right now in the area, how the Blue and Gold is doing in Oregon and SWW and what this year’s candidates look like, how the senior softball season is shaping up, and, of course, responses to the measures taken to deal with COVID. We don’t get into politics very much, but we do follow what is going on at our alma mater and some of the individual class activities. We will need to make a decision about continuing our Zoom subscription, but right now I think it is money well spent.
OUR USUAL HAPPY HOUR REMINDER:
Happy Hour on Wednesday evenings at 1800 continues with enthusiasm. We would like to see more participation, so please join us if you are so inclined. Mike Carmichael is in charge of our Zoom subscription, and he asked that all of you are informed of its availability for your individual group needs. It is a very nice option to have at our disposal, and he will accommodate you if at all possible.
Go Navy,
John Adams ‘69, CDR, USN (Ret)