GOOD CHEER AND FUN RULE AT AREA 2 SPECIAL EVENT

The imposing aircraft carrier’s island superstructure seemed to blend into a gray overcast sky as hundreds of MOAA members, family, friends, and visitors approached the USS Hornet in Alameda, anticipating an extraordinary day on the great ship. The museum is now a major San Francisco Bay Area attraction.

As of the morning of August 8th there were more than 375 paid attendees on the roster with most coming from the San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay areas, but with a significant number coming from Sacramento, Santa Rosa and other Northern California locations.

“When we had a meeting of the Area 2 chapter presidents, we discussed what we might do to create a greater interest in MOAA and its work.” said CAPT Jim Torres, USN (RET), Area 2 Director and President, Contra Costa County Chapter. “We decided that a MOAA DAY ON THE HORNET, with its central location, unique venue, the ship’s environment, an impressive museum, so much to do, and meeting/luncheon facilities, would fit the bill,” he continued.

The USS HORNET can provide many options — from the massive hangar bays that provide large floating party rooms to the intimate setting of the officers’ wardroom. After stepping onto the footsteps of the Apollo 11 astronauts, guests can also enjoy an unforgettable view of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Bay.

CAPT Torres, along with CAPT Mark Shafer, USN (RET), President, Marin County Chapter and CDR Steve Barber, USN (RET), President, San Francisco Chapter, constituted an executive planning and operating committee with CAPT Shafer serving as events coordinator and CDR Barber as treasurer. CAPT Torres served as chief planner and master of ceremonies.

Once aboard visitors filed past the United States, the CAL-MOAA and Marin County flags and into a reception area where registration was easy, along with MOAA information/publication and membership tables. It was later learned that visitors purchased more than $1,000 in raffle tickets hoping to win one of the dozen or more valuable prizes offered.

Docent-led ship tours got underway about 10:30am and provided a close look at the navigation bridge, combat information center, engine room, torpedo room, the admiral’s and captain’s quarters, and even the brig. There was plenty of time to examine a TBM Avenger, F-8 Crusader, TA-4J Skyhawk, F-14 Tomcat, SH-3H Seaking and H-34 SeaHorse helicopters.

Those who were interested and took the time learned details of the ship’s history as well as the specifics of the Apollo Splashdown story. And a visit to the museum store provided opportunities to purchase a wide variety of souveniers including aircraft and ship models, books about the HORNET and its history and achievements, clothing, and even practical and unique items as a set of custom made dog tags.

It seemed like just everywhere guests were in animated conversation, greeting old friends and making new ones, sharing sea stories and fond memories, and just enjoying a day in a very interesting place.

At about 12:30pm CAPT Jim Torres called an Area 2 meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by CAPT Mark Shafer, the invocation delivered by CDR (Chaplain) Harold Eslinger, and a dramatic reading, “Meaning of the Pledge,” by CWO4 K. Obrien, which drew raves and positive comments from all over the hangar deck.

Col Bill Gavitt, USAF-Ret, Member, MOAA Board of Directors, and his lovely wife Shirley traveled from Riverside and were seated with the others at the head table, providing full support for the Friday proceedings.

CAPT Bill Sturman, USN (RET), a long-time Council participant, convention planner, and most recently Director, Area 7, along with his brother Frank, made the trip from Southern California to Alameda and the HORNET event.

Col John X Loughran III, former Member, MOAA Board of Directors, and currently a Marin County Chapter member was also present.

It was quite a sight to see more than 40 tables seating ten, most seats occupied, with guests enjoying a Bar-B-Que chicken luncheon. Because of the caterer’s good work and generosity, a nice lunch was provided at a very reasonable cost, making possible a significant contribution to MOAA scholarship funds.

Col Lee Lange II, USMC-Ret, Director, MOAA Council and Chapter Affairs, Alexandria, VA was the initial speaker and he was quick to offer a warm welcome, a genuine “Thanks for coming!” He said MOAA DAY ON THE HORNET was a terrific event and thinks it is the largest turnout anywhere. He likened it to a typical national convention and audience.

After recognizing CAPT Jim Torres and his hard work organizing the event, he told how MOAA’s national membership was increasing beyond 370,000, and yet with only 73,000 of those being chapter members it was important to spread the word about the importance and value of local chapter membership. With 44 chapters and 5 sub or satellite chapters California has more chapters than any other state. Col Lange said, “California is important to MOAA!”

He told of current “Year of the Chapter” initiatives and how MOAA in Alexandria will try to help chapters succeed more. He invited eligible chapter members to register for and attend the upcoming Western States Chapter Presidents Symposium set for Lake Tahoe in October. “The meeting is going to be even better than the one in 2004 and it will be worth your time to attend,” he said. He then thanked everyone for all they are doing for the association.

The featured speaker for the day was Christopher (Chris) Michel, founder of Military.com, the largest military and veteran membership organization in the nation with more than 12 million members. Here’s the link: http://www.military.com/. He was a former Naval flight officer, member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Naval Institute, and he is a life MOAA member. He was a distinguished graduate of the University of Illinois NROTC program and later graduated from the Harvard Business School. He provided an enthusiastic, animated presentation.

Much of his current interest has to do with organizations, particularly professional military organizations, and how they are changing in response to general society and cultural changes, and specifically how organizations need to respond in order to survive and grow. He admitted that MOAA is the largest and best organization of its kind.

He said it will be more and more important in the future for military organizations to work closely together as friends, not foes, cooperate fully all on the same team, and demand that guaranteed rights be preserved. He said that benefits come into being and are safeguarded because of the organizations.

Chris is a self-professed computer nerd and he says that the internet is the perfect vehicle to connect military people. Today people are very busy and no longer watch television or read newspapers and other media like they once did. But many, and most when it comes to the young, are computer savvy and they go on-line to communicate. It is becoming a much bigger challenge to close the interpersonal communications loop, deliver an effective message. His organization, Military.com, seeks to connect military people with their benefits.

He is a real believer in “soldier journalism,” meaning that the best news, information, views, opinions and commentary come from soldiers who choose to write. He says the value of his website revolves around his members who write and share their thoughts with others. Chris says “We are no longer top down but peer to peer; we’re all in the Mafia together.” Veterans represent a significant talent pool and it’s important to hear from them and to influence them to participate fully in veterans affairs.

In more specific terms, Michel said that people need to be involved actively, that “you never stop serving.” He talked about legislators, suggesting that there might be a lot of good ideas out there but little or nothing will get done unless lawmakers are “pushed.” And he talked about the Veterans Administration, saying that would be a good place to work for change, a good place to start.

It was great fun, and there was plenty of anticipation, to close out the afternoon and event with the raffle drawing. The prizes included hand-made and very unique European pillows; a framed photo set of tall ships; gift certificates for upscale restaurant meals, tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Roaring Camp Railroad at Felton; several high value cases of Napa Valley wines; as well as a week-long time share stay in an exotic location.

Some visitors chose to stay awhile and make self-guided tours of the ship; after all, it’s really impossible to appreciate the history, the vast ship itself, the exhibits, and the people in the space of a few hours. And in some cases it was a delight just to loiter and get acquainted with new friends.

CAPT Jim Torres, CAPT Mark Shafer, and CDR Steve Barber have much to be proud of. MOAA DAY ON THE HORNET was a well-planned, flawlessly executed, interesting, and certainly a memorable event, one that introduced many to Area 2 MOAA chapters and their work.

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