FLORIDA CIDAA GROUP NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 FLORIDA CIDAA GROUP NEWSLETTER April 2018 T a m p a M e e t i n g Fellow Members, The Florida CIDAA Group Spring Meeting was held at the Hilton Garden Inn, North Tampa Florida Those in attendance included: JB and Janet Brain, Riley and Joan Breedlove, Charlie Cooper and guest Claudia, Warren and JoEllen Cox, Louise Goetzelt, John Jennings, Ken Minton, Henry and Doris Kuhn, Barry and Eva Litsky, Bill and Gwen Thomas, Al Kaan, Fred and Rita Meine, Lew and Annemarie Hartman, John and Nancy Mays, Roy and Janet Flanders, Mario and Violetta Loaiza, Shawn Rourke, Linda Knight, Tom and Adriana Wilson and Jim Boyd from Alabama. Although there were no planned activities, the group met in the hospitality room and Friday/Saturday evening to enjoy the excellent food and drinks provided and set up by Charlie Cooper and Claudia, with the assistance of Warren and JoEllen Cox. As with all of our meetings, Charlie (at great personal expense and time sacrifice), went out of his way to ensure that the attendees had an excellent hospitality suite for group activities. All members expressed their appreciation. During the free time, those that did not go out to explore the area enjoyed the ability to renew old friendships. Several members brought a variety of card games to the hospitality and some lively exchanges could be heard throughout the hospitality room (and elsewhere). Some members even learned a few card game tricks, which aided in their winning a game or two. Mind you, no one is throwing stones here, but in the case of game between the Breedloves and Coxs, the men seemed very pleased with the outcome of their games. On Saturday afternoon we had to open the doors to the patio several times to relieve the pressure that built up from the lively discussions of past exploits by certain members who seem to believe that their stories had never been heard before!!!!!! It was a very informative afternoon that is for sure. On Saturday evening the members assembled for group photograph taken by Warren Cox. The members then enjoyed the pre-dinner associations with more conversations of past exploits and future plans. At 1830 members assembled for the buffet dinner in the hospitality room. Louise thanked Charlie Cooper, Claudia and Warren and JoEllen Cox for their support in setting up and providing food and drinks in the Hospitality Suite. Also, thanks to Ken Minton for arranging the accommodations. Louise then led the group in

2 the pledge of allegiance and Ken Minton provided the invocation. All then settled down for an enjoyable dinner, consisting of beef shish kabobs and fish, with potatoes, vegetables, salad and rolls. After dinner members again participated in the in a variety of activities including the lively games of Five Crowns and Sequence. Unfortunately, Charlie could not find a couple of poker players who were will to contribute to his poker stash. On Saturday morning the Group held the business meeting. At 0900, April 7, 2018 the meeting was called to order by President Louise Goetzelt. Members present included: Louise Goetzelt, Bill Thomas, JB Brain, Riley Breedlove, John Jennings, Ken Minton, Charlie Cooper, Warren Cox, Barry Litsky, Al Kaan, Fred Meine, Charlie Comstock, Lew Hartman, John Mays, Roy Flanders, Mario Loaiza, Tom Wilson, Shawn Rourke (new), Linda Knight (new) Henry Kuhn, and guest Jim Boyd from Alabama. Louise welcomed the attendees and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Acting Chaplain Ken Minton provided invocation and called for attendees to remember members who had lost loved ones since our last meeting. In particular, the recent passing of Art Gehrig, Past President of the Florida Group and board member of the CIDAA was noted. Louise called for Officer Reports: Vice President None The Secretary/Treasurer provided the prior meeting minutes. The reading of which was waived by motion and vote. Also provided was a financial report with receipts and expenditures for the year thus far. The current balance in the checking account is $ (See Attached 2017/18 Report). The Treasurer indicated that the substantial cost of over $400 for the hospitality suite, etc. would reduce that amount by quite a bit, which would be offset somewhat by dues payments and donations. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: Louise indicated that a nomination committee would be needed for selection of officers starting vacancies starting in Riley Breedlove readily volunteered for the position. Site Selection for 2018/19 meetings: Fall meeting of 2018 will be in conjunction with the national CIDAA meeting in Colorado Springs. It was noted that in 2019, Easter will fall on April 21 st, which means the whole month of April will be Spring Break season and probably rule out that month for a meeting. Mario Loaiza indicated that West Palm Beach County on the East coast of Florida would be a great place to hold the meeting. He resides in the Wellington area of the county and it offers many activities. He agreed to obtain info and provide it to the President for consideration.

3 Ken Minton proposed we look at Cedar Key, FL again that the area should be sufficiently recovered from the hurricane damage to support our group. Ken also indicated that he would also look into St Augustine as another location. Past meetings there have been successful. Charlie Cooper indicated that wherever we eventually hold the meeting negotiations with the venue are important especially as relates to the hospitality room and other concessions. There was a discussion about the venues and Louise called for the above to have info ready by the Fall meeting where a decision would be made. Members agreed. OTHER BUSINESS: Warren Cox has been in contact with the family of recently deceased member Art Gehrig. There will be a memorial service at 10:00 a.m., on April 28, 2018 in Manchester, OH. Sinda Gehrig is in the process of relocating there. Details are posted on the CIDAA website for those who may wish to attend. He suggested that the Florida Group send flowers. This matter was discussed and Lew Hartman indicated he would collect any donations for the flowers. He did so and members donated $205.00, which was placed in the group funds. In addition, Mario Loaiza indicated he would make a significant contribution for the floral arrangements. JB is to coordinate the donation. Louise suggested that the group establish a Memorial Fund for any needed expenses related to the passing of members. Members agreed and JB will maintain records associated with the fund. Audit Committee. Louise called for a volunteer to audit the group s financial records. Since there is not a voluminous amount to audit, Fred Meine was appointed. He conducted the audit of the 2017/18 records and established that all was in order. There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. An items of interest for all members: All retirees, The following message is sent on behalf of Arlington National Cemetery. As a military retiree, your input is requested to help determine the future of Arlington National Cemetery. Military and civilian leaders are facing difficult decisions as they work to preserve Arlington National Cemetery as the shrine to the nation's heroes and history. With limited space for expansion, eligibility rules are being considered to extend the site's role as an active military cemetery for decades to come.

4 Your input is important and can help shape the future of Arlington National Cemetery. The eligibility survey is available now at You can learn more about Arlington National Cemetery by visiting Retired Pay Delivered by Defense Finance and Accounting Service

5 The Esteemed ladies of the Florida cidaa group Esteemed retired agents of the Florida cidaa group All attendees Florida cidaa group spring meeting Tampa

6 Roy and Janet flanders ken Minton, Fred and Freda meine henry and doris kuhn, Tom and Adrina Wilson and john and nancy mays and Barry and eva litsky Louise goetzelt, shawn Rourke and linda riley and joan breedlove riley and joan breedlove, roy and janet knight flanders, al kaan and Janet BRain [jb absent-where is he?] Lew and Annemarie Hartman, mario and Violeta loaiza, john Jennings And Jim Boyd warren and joelen cox, bill and gwen Thomas, Claudia and charlie cooper