April-June - Region VIII
Transcription
April-June - Region VIII
MILITARY RETIREES CHAPTER 421 HRRVC Newsletter April - June 2010 Editor Jim Dunn A word from President Tom Gall We have just celebrated Memorial Day and by all means want to remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms we have in the United States of American. Let’s not just remember them on Memorial Day, however, they deserve our honor and respect every day of the year. As we begin the summer season, the Red, White and Blue camp out is coming soon immediately before the International rally, being held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, in Perry Georgia Jean and I have covered a lot of miles this past winter, participating in several HRRVC functions along the way. We started in January with the Southeast Sunshine rally. We had a great social that Stan and Fay Guiles hosted. It was well attended with over 40 members and a lot of door prizes. We left Florida after a busy week at Disney World with six grandchildren and their parents. We met Jimmy and Onita Thornton and another couple in Mississippi and headed out toward Arizona. Along the way we took a break at Kerrville, TX and shared a nice visit with Moe and Lorraine Gangai. See Gall - page 4 International Rally - Perry GA. Business meeting - Sunday, July 18. 0800hrs Ryan's Steak House near Robbins Air Force Base [about 11 miles from the fair grounds]. Cost per person is $7.18, includes coffee. This Is the 3rd day of early parking. The social will be at the same location on Thursday, July 22 at 1300 hrs. Chapter paying for the social. Volume 21 Issue 2 HRRVC421@aol.com Red White & Blue 2010 July 12 to 16 Scenic Mountain RV Resort & Campground, 2686 Irwinton Rd, Milledgeville, GA. http://www.scenicmountainrv.com Full hook-up, 30/50A, Water, Sewer, Cable, WIFI, A/C Club House, Spacious Camp Sites, Swimming Pool & Fishing Hole. Milledgeville was the capitol of Georgia from 1803 to 1868. Tours of the old capital building, governor’s mansion, historic neighborhoods, Robbins AFB Air Museum (Warner Robbins, GA) are being planned. Lots of fast food, slow food & good food. Golf, 6 miles from the campground. See you all there. Contact: J. Hunter 605 Osage St. Harrisonville, MO 64701 Phone: (816) 225-2637 E-Mail: jhunter37@aol.com For reservations, send a check made out to “CHAPTER 421”, for one nights fee of $31.50 to Jay. Please do not contact the campground directly. Reserve early so we can make appropriate plans. RWB rally Instructions For those who will be coming early they should phone the campground at 1-800716-5015 or locally 1-478-453-8683. Do not attempt to drive the RV through town but take US-441 (locals call it the by-pass) to GA243/Irwinton Rd then north approx. 0.4 miles . Coming from the south on US-441 get off at GA243/Irwinton then go north 0.4 miles to campground on the right. Helga and I will be there early so come early if you can...Thanks Jay South Carolinia State Rally Myrtle Beach, SC Meet New Members 21 -24 April 2010 Bob Morhard The South Carolina State Rally was held at Lakewood RV Resort in Myrtle Bleach. It is somewhat different from Ocean Lakes (right next door) where Region III holds their rally in that there are hundreds of one, two, and three story beach homes. Most of the newer ones are on stilts which puts them one story above the ground. There are also hundreds of RV hook-ups. It is a huge place. Chapter 421 was called on to handle the colors for both the opening and closing of the Rally. The Color Guard consisted of Ellis Peach, John Burke, Tom Buckhannon & Bob Morhard. Tom & Shirley Buckhannon cooked several times during the rally, so you know that we ate well. Ellis (Florida State Manager), Tom & Bob played on the Florida Bean Bag Baseball team in the final game which was lost to the North Carolina team so John Burke (NC Assistant Manager) was presented the trophy to carry home. Jill & Scott Franzen The Chapter bazaar table set up by the Morhards was as attractive as usual. It was manned by several different members including: Ira Machon, Ellis , Sue, Tom & Bob. For our social, Saturday morning, we had breakfast together (10 of us) at Omega Pancake House just down the street from the campground. Welcome new member Scott Franzen (Navy) & his wife Jill. They are from Summerfield, NC. A great big WELCOME ABOARD! The South Carolina Rally was well run with many activities, good fellowship, good food and lots of fun for all. Scholarship Awards Color guard John Burke, Ellis Peach, Tom Buckhannon & Bob Morhard More pictures are on the web site http://www.rg8.hrrvc.org/Washington/421Military/co mpleted_files/1MILHome.html 2010 HRRVC Scholarship Awards recognized Grandchildren of chapter 421 Chapter members: Jacy Stamps- Granddaughter of Doyle & Dorothlyn Stamps Your chance to LEAD It is that time for new officers to be nominated for Caitlin Williamson- Granddaughter of Carl & Elaine the board. Election to be at the International Rally in July 2010. Bob Barbier and Frank Trepanier Hallada were appointed as the nominating committee. It is the time for chapter members to step up and Congratulations to these successful Scholarship volunteer to fill one of the offices. The nominating winners. HRRVC 421 April - June 2010 Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 2 committee wants input from the membership to fill these offices. Offices that are needed are, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director. At this time there has been some interest in the openings. Please let us know your wishes via e-mail or phone. Meet New Members Bob Barbier capt_bob@ameritech.net 309-693-1622 or 309-696-7337 Frank Trepanier trep@tampabay.rr.com 352-860-0670 or 352-476-5008 Frank Trepanier SouthWestern Rally Rayne, Louisiana - Rayne RV Park March 26 - 29, 2010 Bob Morhard Irene & Michael Adams We arrived Wednesday, 24 March, the first day of early parking. The weather was cloudy and windy as it was throughout the rally. That night the heavens opened & we had a hugh rain storm. Lighting, thunder, wind; the whole ball of wax. Sure glad the awning was not out. Luckily the Swamp tour was postponed until Thursday afternoon. Regretfully, I forgot my camera but Chapter member, Bill O’Dell, took some great pictures which are attached. Great trip, highly recommended if it’s offered next year. Opening ceremonies were on Friday evening. Our flag detail consisted of Moe Gangai, Jim Thornton, Stan Guiles & Bob Morhard. This same detail did the closing ceremony. We had 21 attend our Social at which every member received a door prize. The prizes were donated: Henry Kretzschmar (Wood Products from his shop), Stan Guiles (Lighted wine bottles & Snail), the Morhard’s ( Lighted glass block, copper wire Snail, pillow, & table), plus gift certificates from our “contributors”, Ransom Road Resort, Cracker Barrel Country Store & Camping World. Color Guard Bob Morhard, Moe Gangai, Jim Thorton and Stan Guiles More pictures are on the web site http://www.rg8.hrrvc.org/Washington/421Military/co mpleted_files/1MILHome.html Our Chapter had a great looking Bazaar table again this rally. Bill & Jean O’Dell, & Stan Guiles helped Holiday Rambler RV Club (HRRVC) Sue Morhard set up and man the table. Please update your information at http://www.hrrvc.org and you will always be able This Rally had right around 100 rigs, which is very to find the current contact information on the poor attendance. Come on folks, if HRRVC is to Contact Us page. Update your profile so the rest continue to sponsor rallys , we need to get out and of the club members can find you. enjoy the offerings, otherwise they will go away. Health watch None reported HRRVC 421 Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club, Inc. 1600 West Beardley Ave. Suite 212 Elkhart, IN. 46514 Toll-Free (877) 702-5415 Phone (574) 295-9800 Fax (574) 295-9802 April - June 2010 Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 3 Gall: Presidents message from pg 1 After a week or so of traveling we ended up in Tucson for the Western Sunshine rally. More on this rally in another article. We settled down for a month in a very nice park in Tucson, before moving to Benson, AZ to meet up with 15 other rigs to journey to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. We had a wonderful time, hosted by Ray and Hilda Nichols and Mike & Mairiene Miranda. The water is absolutely beautiful and right next to the campground. We shopped, ate, shopped, ate, did some sightseeing, ate, anyway you get the idea. Border crossing was easy and everything went very smoothly. After Mexico, we bee-lined it east with the Thorntons to the Southwest rally in Rayne, LA. We were served delicious meals cooked on site by very capable members with an assist from Trey from the Rayne diner. If you every get to Rayne definitely look him up and support his restaurant. Food is excellent and prices very reasonable. We’ve been at home for a while to catch up on home maintenance, but ready to hit the road again in July to attend the rally in Perry, GA. We hope to see all of you there. Summer is hot anywhere, but all the buildings in Perry are air conditioned and Joe Herron the rally coordinator with Jim and Deb Isett will do a fabulous job. We plan to be there and hope to see all of you as well. Safe travels and God bless. Tom & Jean Gall #98420 Southwest Rally Tour Business meeting Sunday July 18, 2010 start time 0800 hours. This year’s Business Meeting we will be electing new officers for the Chapter. The nomination committee has been working very hard to fill the board positions. Bob Barbier and Frank Trepanier have come up with a slate for us to vote on in July. As of this writing the nominees are: President: Stan Guiles #106564 Vice President: Jay Hunter #72885 Secretary: Treasurer: Vern Benson #70780 As you can see we have an opening on the board. This position must be filled, if not we loose our Charter with HRRVC. The duties are taken from the Chapter Constitution and Bylaws. Article VI – Duties of the Elected Chapter Officers The duty of the Secretary is to maintain the Chapter records involving meeting, dues collection and new member communication. A report will be made at the Annual Business Meeting on the previous years meeting. Between now and the Business Meeting, please let one of us know that you are interested in filling this very important position. As always nominations will be accepted from the floor. So please think it over and volunteer. Tom Gall, President by Bill O’Dell 114374 While at the HRRVC Southwest Rally in Rayne, La. Jean and I went on a tour with the club called The Cajun Country Swamp Tours. We car caravanned to the Swamp at Lake Martin and meet up with the tour guide and owner Butch Gucherean, a very knowledgeable person. There were 11 of us that got onto his aluminum boat with high sides and started the tour. We saw a lot (about 18-20) of alligators, ranging from 6" to 14' long. All of them lying on logs to sunbath. We say at least 100 green turtles, some small fury land animals, can't think of the name of them, we saw some large nesting birds in the trees, again can't think of the names of them, many other birds also. Butch told us of the history of the swamp and how it started and why. This was one of the most interesting tours Jean and I have ever taken. If you are in this area contact Butch at 337-319-0010. He will take as few as 2 and as many as 12 on a tour. He charges $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for a child under 13. www.cajuncountryswamptours.com HRRVC 421 Western Sunshine Rally Tucson, Arizona - Pima County Fairgrounds February 2 - 5, 2010 by Tom Gall 98420 This rally will go down in history as the “ice box rally”; the weather was cold and rainy. The main building was designed for air conditioning, it is Arizona after all and it’s supposed to be hot, right? Wrong! Most of us wore coats while eating and watching entertainment because there was no heat inside. It still was a great rally, Erwin and Marilyn Peake, Ray and Hilda Nickols, (rally coordinators) put on an outstanding event this year in Tucson, Arizona. The Chapter was honored to present and retire the colors. Members of the color guard where Jimmy Thornton, Vern Benson, Dave McPhaden, Doc Good and Tom Gall. With only 104 units, we were all well fed with food prepared by various chapter members and great local entertainment. Jean and I hosted the social April - June 2010 Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 4 with help from Vern Benson. The social was held off site at a Pizza Hut near the fair grounds. We all ate all the pizza we wanted. We would like to welcome new members to our ranks. Virgil and Donna Ford #69339, Navy from the state of Washington. There were door prizes for all with attendance at around fifteen. We were there in March 2010 and had the choice of inexpensive ($14) w/water & 30 amp hook-up in the woods or first class ($18 ) w/ water, sewer, 50/30 amp, concrete pads looking out on Perdido Bay. We chose the latter and had a great 2 day stay. The PX & Commissary are off the Base and convenient to this Campground. The Blue Angles practice on Tuesday & Wednesday, if in town & fly right over the campground or you can head over to the base (which we did) and sit in the bleachers behind the Museum to view the practice. The Naval Aviation Museum is also a great stop. Lake Pippin, Maxwell/Gunter Recreation Area Niceville FL. 1801 White Point Road. Camp-sites are gravel, grass or dirt, full hook-up, 30/50 power w/ picnic table & grill ($18). There is a small beach on Choctawhatchee Bay. (not as impressive as the name but ok) It is located near the Midbay bridge to Destin, FL. This campground was damaged during the hurricane but has been restored with a new shower building. We stopped here in April 2010 & found it adequate. 2010 Western Rally Honor Guard Tom Gall, Jimmy Thornton, Vern Benson, Dave McPhaden and Doc Good. AirVenture 2010 July 26-August 1 To Salute Veterans Famcamp News Send information to the editor on places you stay so other members may enjoy or avoid them. For On-Line information check out: www.MilitaryCampgrounds.us or http://www.smartrving.net/id26.html for maps and information on Famcamps. Already set to host what may be the last largest DC-3 gathering, EAA's AirVenture has announced it is working together with Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans to bring a "Salute to Veterans" to AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. The complete list of events has yet to be finalized, but EAA announced a sketch of events Friday. The Delaware National Guard - Bethany Beach DE Salute will mean special forums and speakers; a If you’re traveling to the Del-Mar-Va peninsula mass gathering of veterans for photo opportunities; check out the Camp Ground in Bethany Beach DE. a special airshow segment featuring Vietnam-era Located 10 miles from Ocean City, MD and 8 miles aircraft; an "upgraded Warbird Aircraft Display from Rehoboth Beach DE they have 22 RV sites area," according to EAA; and a closing-day concert [W/E/S/Cable] that rent for $22.00/night. played by the Lt. Dan Band, featuring actor Gary Reservations through the Billeting Office 302-854Sinise. All veterans and active military who 7901 or 302-854-7902. Full payment required 15 purchase AirVenture tickets online in advance of days prior to arrival [Don’t know what they do about the show are eligible for a discounted admission drop ins]. Sorry NO Pets Allowed. Motel rooms rate of $28. Noting the nation's debt of freedom and Apartments are also available. Our son and owed to its service men and women, EAA president daughter-in-law checked it out and said it was a Tom Poberezny said, "This is the right thing to do nice facility. Military ID required. – J&J Dunn at Oshkosh." Camp Grayling National Guard - Grayling MI I’ve been told that new water, electric and sewer are being installed at the Fam Camp this spring/summer. Blue Angles Naval Recreation Area - Pensacola FL is located off I-10, Exit 7, approx 5 miles south (FL 29) then west on US- 98 to the sign on the left. HRRVC 421 The overall Salute to Veterans events will have a "thank a veteran" focus, according to EAA, which says the event's timing matches two significant anniversaries -- that of the DC-3 and that of the B-17. Both aircraft celebrate their 75th year in 2010, according to EAA. Said Poberezny, "Salute to Veterans will be one of the primary focuses during AirVenture 2010." April - June 2010 Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 5 Flying J news National Parks law change - May 2010 - Waste Dump Station Fees To continue providing waste dump station services at Flying J we are instituting a $10 fee to customers using this service. This has become necessary to cover the increasing costs of offering this amenity. These additional fees include: Maintenance - escalating expenses associated with normal usage and the misuse and abuse of waste dump stations Municipalities - rising costs from local sewer treatment service providers Regulatory - increasing expenditures linked to stringent corporate responsibilities For our best customers, those that are members of Flying J's Frequent Fueler and RV Real Value clubs, a $5.00 dump station coupon will be added to their card based on fuel purchases. The club member must present their card to the cashier at the point of purchase to receive the discount. We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to offer the best services and facilities in the industry. Flying J Launches New Online 'Loyalty' Portal As part of our on-going effort to provide you with the finest in "Highway Hospitality" we are excited to offer this new convenient tool for accessing your Loyalty Card accounts. Once registered, from the portal you can view account activity, monitor the status of accumulated rewards & discounts, order a new card and more. And, to maximize the value and functionality of this new "tool" we encourage you to provide us with feedback & suggestions on improving the ease of navigation and additional features you would like to see! Send us your comments to: http://www.flyingj.com/FlyingJMail/form.jsp?a=loyal tycustomerportalfeedback Eye Glasses for Retirees New Firearms Law Takes Effect - National parks now subject to state and local firearms laws WASHINGTON – A change in federal law effective Monday, February 22, allows firearms in many national parks. People who can legally possess firearms under federal and state law can now possess those firearms in the national parks in that state. The new law (Sec. 512 of P.L. 111-24) was passed by Congress and signed last May by the President. Prior to February 22, firearms have generally been prohibited in national parks – except in some Alaska parks and those parks that allow hunting. State and local firearms laws vary. Visitors who would like to bring a firearm with them to a national park need to understand and comply with the applicable laws. With more than 30 national parks located in more than one state, visitors need to know where they are in those parks and which state’s law applies. “For nearly 100 years, the mission of the National Park Service has been to protect and preserve the parks and to help all visitors enjoy them,” National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis said. “We will administer this law as we do all others – fairly and consistently.” Federal law continues to prohibit the possession of firearms in designated “federal facilities” in national parks, for example, visitor centers, offices, or maintenance buildings. These places are posted with “firearms prohibited” signs at public entrances. The new law also does not change prohibitions on the use of firearms in national parks and does not change hunting regulations. Park websites have been updated to include links to state firearms laws to help visitors understand the law and plan accordingly. Sec. 512 of P.L. 111-24, an amendment to the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009, also directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to follow state and local firearms laws in national wildlife refuges. All retirees, even TRICARE for Life recipients, may receive one pair of standard issue glasses each year from the Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity. Visit the NOSTRA website and select the "How to Order: Retirees" link for more information. Family members and surviving spouses are not entitled to NOSTRA support. Learn more about TRICARE vision benefits at the TRICARE beneficiary portal. VIN NUMBER - WARNING Here is INFO worth the price of your car.... WHAT WILL the car thieves THINK OF NEXT? The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or vehicle, write down the VIN # from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #. http://www.med.navy.mil/SITES/NOSTRA/ORDER/ I didn't believe this e-mail, so I called ChryslerDodge and pretended I had lost my keys. They told Pages/Retiree.aspx me to just bring in the VIN #, they would cut me HRRVC 421 April - June 2010 Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 6 one on the spot, and I could order the keyless device if I wanted. The Car Dealer's Parts Department will make a duplicate key from the VIN #, and collect payment from the thief who will return to your car. He doesn't have to break in, do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is walk up to your car, insert the key and off he goes to a local chop shop with your vehicle. You don't believe it? It IS that EASY. To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some dark tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN Number Metal Label located on the dashboard. By law, you cannot remove the VIN but you CAN cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief. I urge you to forward this to your friends before some other car thief steals another car or truck. I slipped a 3x5 card over my VIN NUMBER. Golden Age Passports FAN-TASTIC VENT PRESIDENT INTRODUCES “FAN-TASTIC: The Love Behind the Vent” Fan-Tastic Vent President, Penny Milks, is pleased to introduce her book, Fan-Tastic: The Love Behind the Vent. Following the death of her husband and inventor Steve Milks, Penny reveals a powerful real-life success story. This rags to riches memoir opens through the eyes of a shy eighteen year old who meets a charming traveling salesman determined to make his mark in history. This intimate glimpse at the life of two people harnessing their unique talents to build one of the most respected companies in the RV industry, makes this book a must read! Fan-Tastic Vent also celebrates its milestone 25th anniversary this year. For more information go to: www.fantasticvent.com The government has decided NOT TO REDUCE the discount rate from 50% to 10% for the Golden Age Senior Access Pass... The 50% discount will continue and a spokesperson for the NFS stated that vendor managed campgrounds WILL HONOR the 50% discount.... Below is a quote from the Director of the National Forest Service.... "Last Wednesday Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced his decision to not reduce the fee structure charged to holders of passes at Forest Service campgrounds operated by private contractors. This leaves intact the half-off camping fee rates now available to holders of the government issued $10 lifetime Senior Pass. " Also if your are disabled you can get the card free. That’s ALL Folks Send news YOU want to SHARE with others for the NEXT ISSUE. This space is for YOUR news article. Reporters needed. HRRVC 421 April - June 2010 Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 7 SPONSORS and CONTRIBUTORS Sponsors contribute financially to help with our administrative cost and support our socials. Contributors generously give items which we can use for door prizes. Contributors: Camping World P.O. Box 90018 Bowling Green KY 42102-9018 ATT: Reta Grinstead Administrative Assistant Harbor City Company, Inc P.O. Box 868 Aransas Pass, TX 78336 ATT: Rick & Pam Lowrance Ransom Road RV Park Flying J Corporate Office 1104 Country Hills Drive Ogden UT 84403 ATT: Morgan Mueller Cracker Barrel Old Country Store P.O. Box 787 Lebanon, TN 37088 ATT: Jay Roe Field Marketing Specialist H R R V C C h a p t e r 4 2 1 O f f i c e r s President 98420 T homas and Jean G all 191 O ld Burruss Mill R oad Bumpuss, VA 23024-9319 540-894-5442 804-833-2998 gall237@ aol.com Newsletter Editor 34757 Jim & Janet D unn 1570 W W ebb R d. D eW itt MI 48820-8333 517-669-9216 517-285-1927cell H R R VC 421@ aol.com R egion V R ep Lambert G obber 1021 Franelm D rive Louisville KY 40214-4626 502-366-1232 LYG 337@ aol.com 81522 Vice President Social C hairm an C hapter C haplin Stan and Fay G uiles 106564 413 W alnut Street #5331 G reen C ove Springs FL 32043 601-434-2305 904-657-8272 frgulles2@ aol.com Historian Moe & Lorraine G angai 133 D eer H aven Ln Kerrville T X 78028-7604 830-895-3382 momdad@ pcrvus.com R egion VI R ep D onald & Lou Schumitsch 2351 Elm Street Plover, W I 54467-2164 715-341-7755 louds@ charter.net 102088 Secretary 109051 R obert and Sue Morhard 2047 W . La Bonte C ircle Beverly Hills, FL 34465-2368 352-746-7378 352-270-0024 cell rmorhard@ embarqmail.com T reasurer Laverne Benson 14277 Seymour R oad Linden MI 48451-9744 810-735-8128 70780 Past President Moe & Lorraine G angai 133 Deer Haven Ln Kerrville T X 78028-7604 830-895-3382 drmoe@ hotmail.com 66090 M em bership C hair HRRVC 421 66090 R egion I R ep 80701 R obert & Inge-Lore Stoeppel PO Box 3046 D anbury, C T 06813-3046 203-792-0039 rstoeppel@ hotmail.com R egion II R ep 87726 C harles & Mary Liddick 5396 Susan R oad C oopersburg, PA 8036-2300 610-282-3361 R egion VII R ep 78568 R egion VII M em bership R ep D ave & Mickey Allen 1300 Colony D rive Schertz, T X 78154-1660 210 658-5855 210 391-6453 dfallen@ msn.com R egion VIII R ep 95581 Lester & Jeannie Montgomery 155 Banbury C ourt Benicia C A 94510-1601 707 745-5281 707-853-0682 R egion III R ep 109051 R obert and Sue Morhard 2047 W . La Bonte C ircle Beverly H ills, FL 34465-2368 352-746-7378 352-270-0024 cell rmorhard@ embarqmail.com R egion IV R ep 105703 C huck & D ottie G auntlett 16875 Prairie C ircle El Reno, O K 73036-9164 405-324-2876 405-250-3044 chucksgoing@ earthlink.net April - June 2010 Volume 21 Issue 2 Page 8 Jim Dunn, Editor 1570 W Webb Rd DeWitt MI 48820-8333 See you down the road