SATS/EAF Association Fall 2006 Newsletter

The SATS/EAF Association 2006 Reunion was held July 27-29 in Reno, Nevada. Association members present were: Richard Althouse, John Atkinson, Jim Begley, Rod Bruun, John Bryant, Ralph Calloway, James Casper, Greg Cooper, Paul Fels, Greg Fiore, Paul Flatt, Tom Ginger, Stan Gluza, Frank Goodwin, Ray Grimes, Dan Harrington, Dennis Harrington, Wayne Lawson, Dennis Lockwood, John Luckey, John Lytle, Alan Noll, Tad Olsowski, David Prendergast, Max Rede, Rich Rossi, Kerin Taylor, Tom Taylor, Jeff White, Al Wilder, and Sterling Wormley. Following are the minutes from the Association Business Meeting held 29 July at 0900 in the Eldorado Hotel provided hospitality room, as well as a Special Notice and information on the upcoming 2007 reunion.

Greg Cooper’s brother, Col. Geff Cooper USMC, gave the reunion attendees a presentation. He is currently the Commander of Camp Wilson (The 29 Palms Expeditionary Airfield). He was a unit commander in Iraq and shared his experiences and views of the War. For many of us it was our first opportunity to hear first hand how the war is going. We see it on the news and the interviews with top military commanders but they are not the fighters doing the job. I am very grateful he agreed to speak at our reunion.

OLD BUSINESS:

As recommended at the 2005 Association meeting, a vote was taken to approve a donation to the Injured Marine Semper FI Fund. Al Wilder announced the treasury could support a $1,000.00 donation. The membership unanimously approved the donation. The membership then discussed the recommendation for a donation to the Marine Heritage Foundation. The membership decided to take a collection from the members present and that would constitute the Association's donation. The collection totaled $400.00. Both donations were mailed and receipts have been received from the organizations.

NEW BUSINESS:

Thanks to Frank Goodwin for hosting the 2006 Reunion in Reno. We all especially enjoyed the bus trip to Squaw Valley, the cable car ride to the peak and dinner at Lake Tahoe. Great job!

2007 Reunion: Philadelphia, PA, Host: Stan Gluza.

2008 Reunion: Volunteers for hosting the Reunion/Meeting are Jim Begley for Branson MO and Max Rede for Las Vegas. They will gather info and forward it to the Association Officers to select the location. The location will be announced before the 2007 Reunion/Meeting.

2009 Reunion: Washington D. C. and Quantico VA area being considered.

Elections were held and Frank Goodwin was elected as our new SATS/EAF Association President. Al Wilder (Treasurer) and Stan Gluza (Secretary) have agreed to stay in their position for another year. Greg Cooper (Vice President) was the only Officer not at or beyond the end of his term. The Association will be looking for volunteers/nominations for the offices of Secretary and Treasurer at the next reunion.

We’ve been fortunate to have Dave Prendergast as our Association President these past three years. Dave's diligent efforts to locate and contact former 7011s and 7002s has significantly increased our association membership. He directed the establishment of the SATS/EAF Web site and his commitment to the welfare of all Marines, especially the former 7011s and 7002s, presents a formidable goal for all to follow. It has been a pleasure to serve as secretary during your term. Thank You Dave, for your leadership and guidance as the SATS/EAF Association President.

SATS/EAF Historian, Rich Rossi (Past President), has agreed to continue with this task. John Lytle (Past President) offered to provide a form that had been used previously to solicit history data from members. Stan Gluza will distribute the forms and ask members to submit their information to Rich Rossi. It was agreed that a Historical Committee should be formed at the 2007 Reunion to begin compiling the history information. At some future point it may be necessary to hire a professional to put it all together.

SATS/EAF Website- Currently managed by David Prendergast (Immediate Past President). He will continue to keep it updated as new information is provided.

These last few items are to be ongoing topics. Several recommendations have been discussed but as yet we have no firm plan of action has been adopted.

Recruitment: There was much discussion about ways to encourage active duty and recently retired/discharged 7011/7002 Marines to join the association and attend the annual reunions. Word of mouth was one suggestion. Col Geff Cooper, 29 Palms/Camp Wilson, provided a listing of all active duty personnel in the MOS. It was suggested that members near those bases attempt contact with the local 7011s and 7002s. It was also suggested that an award/plaque to the EAF Honor student at the EAF School in Pensacola would be a good way to gain visibility for the association. Other possibilities discussed were that honor students receive 2 years free membership or free registration at the next reunion as incentives to get involved.

There seems to be agreement that we need to change the perception that this is a "Viet Nam Veteran's Era Only" association. Our MOS is still active and we need some anecdotal event history from Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other deployments added to our website. It is our responsibility to reach out to those veteran's and get their EAF cooperation with the development of their history for the record.

There was discussion on spouses of deceased Association members. It was suggested that they remain on the Association roster and receive invites to annual reunions if they wish. No dues.

I would like to thank each member attending the meeting. Comments and ideas from these members help to improve the Association. We are constantly seeking to expand and improve the association as a whole. Help us in that effort. Members, provide some input you don’t have to come to the reunion to be heard.

The association financial report will be included in the next news letter.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Jim Begley and Max Reed; please suspend reunion research until we have settled the following request from members.

I thank you and wish to minimize your efforts to get us the best deal for the dollar. I know how disappointing it can be to pour time and sweat into a project and then find out it wasted. It is my hope you have not spent a lot of time in you research.

In early October I received an E-Mail from Scott Damrauer. He is a member and an active duty 7011. SSGT Damrauer asked if the reunions could be located closer to the bases where 7011s and 7002s are stationed. He is stationed at Miramar. I asked where he would suggest and he indicated the San Diego area. Since we have not firmed the location for the 08 reunion, I would like the members to indicate through a, “Yea or Nay”, response to move the 08 reunion location to San Diego. SSgt Damrauer has volunteered to host but will need help. No response from members will be interpreted as a Yea. Response tabulation cut off will be December 4, 2006.

2007 REUNION INFORMATION

Date: August 9, 10, 11

Location: Holiday Inn Philadelphia – Historic District, 400 Arch Street, Philadelphia

Room Rate: $109.00 per night (+14% tax)

Reservation Information: Attendees should call 1-800-THE-BELL and identify themselves as part of the SATS/EAF Association group to receive the contract rates. Reservations may also be made on-line by logging on to www.holiday-inn.com/philadelphia-historicdistrict. Use the group code SAT to obtain the contract rates.

The cut off date for reservations is July 19, 2007. After that date, rooms will not be guaranteed and will be on a space and rate availability basis. The hotel has agreed to honor our special room rate two days prior to and one day post the above contracted reunion dates for those wishing to extend their stay in Philadelphia.

Check-in time is 4:00p.m. and check-out time is 11:00a.m. Rooms can be guaranteed for late arrival by credit card. Reservation cancellations must be done before 6:00p.m. the date of arrival to avoid a cancellation charge.

A discounted parking rate of $15.00 per car, per day is being extended to SATS/EAF Association registered hotel guests. Hourly rate parking is available for non-registered guests. (Due to parking lot limitations, vans/vehicles over the height of 6’6” will need to find alternative parking.) Philadelphia has various modes of public transportation for those attending the reunion that will not have a car available.

This year our Hospitality Room accommodations will need to be altered from previous reunions. The City of Philadelphia does not allow outside food/drinks to be brought into establishments such as hotels. Tentatively we are pursuing a welcome aboard reception on Aug 9^th, 6:00-8:30p.m. and an Association Banquet on Aug 11^th, 6:00-9:00p.m. Again this year, we will be asking for attendees to pre-register for the reunion. This helps tremendously for planning purposes such as guaranteeing meal head counts, etc. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with this.

We were very fortunate to secure this hotel at such a good rate during the height of the summer tourist season. It’s got a great location – in the heart of downtown Philadelphia Olde City – within walking distance of the Liberty Bell and National Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall, Penn’s Landing, South Street, China Town, and a variety of renowned museums and restaurants. We hope to see you there!

In closing, just a couple of reminders- 2007 membership dues are due in November. Send payments to Al Wilder. (Dues payment form is attached.) Members attending the 2007 reunion who have not paid their 2007 dues may do so with the reunion registration payment. Also, remember to send me any change of mailing or email addresses when they occur.

Semper Fi,

Stan Gluza

SATS/EAF Association Secretary

(gluza@comcast.net ; 102 Conrad Ct., Manchester, NJ 08759; (732) 323-9635)

A few websites to help you start planning your visit to Philadelphia and our 2007 SATS/EAF Reunion!

Philadelphia Visitor’s Site: http://www.gophila.com/

Interactive map of Philadelphia: http://map.mapnetwork.com/destination/philadelphia/

Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell: http://www.nps.gov/inde/

United States Mint in Philadelphia: http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=philadelphia

Betsy Ross House: http://www.betsyrosshouse.org/

The Franklin Museum: http://www2.fi.edu/

Philadelphia Museum of Art: http://www.philamuseum.org/

(Can you run up the steps like Rocky did?)

Longwood Gardens: http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

Valley Forge: http://www.valleyforge.org/

Lancaster County (Pennsylvania Dutch Country): http://www.padutchcountry.com/

Atlantic City: http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/

Bus to Atlantic City Casinos from Philadelphia: http://www.greyhound.com/products_services/casino.shtml

And last but not least….Philly Cheesesteaks! http://www.gophila.com/C/Things_to_Do/211/Dining_and_Nightlife/223/Restaurants_and_Dining/221/Authentic_Philly_Cheesesteaks/361.html

SATS/EAF ASSOCIATION

2006/2007 SATS/EAF ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP/DUES

NAME _____________________________________________________

ADDRESS __________________________________________________

PHONE ____________________________________________________

SPOUSE’S NAME ____________________________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS____________________________________________

Check the applicable line

____ ANNUAL DUES ($20.00)

____ LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP ($200.00)

Send to: ALVIN (AL) WILDER

POST OFFICE BOX 616

HAVELOCK, NC 28532

e-mail: easu86@cox.net

Please make checks payable to: ALVIN WILDER (Treasurer) and indicate on the check space provided: SATS/EAF ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP DUES