At a recent Zoom Happy Hour, we decided that we needed to give the membership more time to digest what is going on and decide whether they would attend the next monthly luncheon. So, to initiate the process, I am going to publish my message up to a week earlier than the beginning of the month. We began having lunches again last June, and though the luncheons have been enjoyable, they have not been that well attended. As the pandemic subsides, we hope more and more of the “regulars” will return and we welcome anyone else who decides he or she wants to join us.
A good example was the Valentine’s Dinner, usually a well-attended event drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd. We had positive responses from 19 people (including partners), and 2 tentative. I exaggerated the count, hoping that the usual stragglers would attend. It was eventually attended by 14 souls, and the Old Spaghetti Factory was not impressed. I would appreciate cancellations, even if it is at the last minute.
Rich Walton, a civilian contractor in Afghanistan and an author, has agreed to come speak to us on March 9. He is a member of the Parents Club, and has written a book about his experiences entitled, One Brick at a Time, Winning the Hearts and Minds of the Afghan People. We have been waiting for the book to be published and are very excited to have the opportunity to listen to his presentation. Please consider attending what promises to be an entertaining and educational experience.
We are privileged to have Captain Don Walsh, USN (ret), PhD, Member, U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE); Member, Ocean Elders; President, International Maritime Inc; speaking to us at our April luncheon. Captain Walsh, along with Jacques Piccard, was one of two people to first descend to the Challenger Deep, the deepest point on earth, in the bathyscaphe Trieste in 1960.
At the June Luncheon, Captain Gillian Richards, USN, our Blue and Gold Area Coordinator, will speak to us about the Class of 2026. And we are getting ready to schedule the picnic in July or August. It’s looking like we have all the pieces in place to have a very successful year.
If you have a chance, log onto myUSNA.com, register with the chapter, fill out some personal information if you desire, and browse around the site. It appears to have great potential to be a valuable asset to the Alumni Association
Wednesday Zoom Happy Hours will continue for the foreseeable future and we would like to remind you that the use of our Zoom capabilities is open for anyone who has the need. Please contact Mike Carmichael if you would like to use it.
Go Navy,
John Adams ‘69, CDR, USN (Ret)