Attendees: COL Stu Driesbach, LTC Larry Hart, CW4 (Ret) Carl Coyan, CW4 Lew Meyers, CW2 Belinda Harris, SFC Joe Donohue, SSG Joe Korecz, Bill Schaff, SFC (Ret) Greg Casagrande, CW4 (Ret) Chris Richter, SGT Russ Cantrell
- Membership Update : We saw the 200 member mark in our rearview mirror late last week. We're growing as you read this message! Growth is a good thing. We are at 206 now, and on the heels of the Blue Grass Chapter in Lexington, KY. Definitely running with the pack!
Thanks to all for efforts and generosity.
- AASF#2 Database : As of 13 May 08, the database contains 502 names. Still need contact details for many folks. The database is being maintained and is available from Larry Hart and John Clem.
- Wright Bros Website : Approaching 1,600 hits. Ed Helwig will assume webmaster duties from Lew Meyers during Lew's deployment. Need everyone to visit the site at least once a week. What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it?
- MinuteMan Statue Dedication : there will be a statue dedication ceremony at Beightler Armory on Friday, 23 May 08. More details available at our website. Lew – I sent you the ppt invite.
- NetJets and Flight Safety Tours : We have the green light to tour both the NetJets Flight Center and Flight Safety Training Center, both at Port Columbus. Stay tuned for details... This will involve groups of 10 people and will be offered on multiple dates. NetJets is all the buzz these days around Columbus – come see why…
- Ohio National Guard Retiree Reunion hosted by the Adjutant General's Office : 12-14 Sep 08 at Camp Perry, Ohio. Agenda is out and registration is open NOW. Contact me or COL John Harris for details. Lew – I sent you some Word documents on this…
- Next Wright Bros Chapter Meeting : 20 Sep 08, 1700 Hrs, Location - TBA. Two OSM presentations (D.Dura, B. Michael). We will utilize the $500 pledge from MAJ Matt Nicol to fund this meeting. Dennis Dura and Brian Michael – two pillars of Ohio Army Aviation will be honored. These two men have over 17,000 flight hours collectively. Looking for a great turn-out to honor the best of the best.
- Order of St. Michael Submissions : Both have been received and approved.
- 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment Call To Duty Ceremony - looks like Saturday, 3 Jan 09. Time and Location - TBA. Wright Bros show of force at this important ceremony. We would gladly hand out the flags and carnations. This is our opportunity to wish the Battalion good luck and Godspeed. You won’t want to miss this ceremony.
- Spring 2009 Wright Bros Chapter Meeting in Dayton, Ohio : very preliminary. Preferred location would be Hope Hotel and Conference Center near WPAFB. We have the opportunity to attract BG (Ret) Howard Yellen, General Manager for Global Military Aircraft System (GMAS) to speak about the C-27J tactical transport aircraft known as the Spartan. Also, additional speakers are being discussed. The program would potentially be in the afternoon/early evening on a Friday (Apr/May 2009) and could include an optional overnight and Air Force Museum tour. Need your feedback on interest and availability.
We want to generate AAAA interest outside of Columbus. Many of our members live in the Dayton area. The majority of our industry members are based in the Dayton area.
- Chapter Leadership Positions : CW2 Belinda Harris has agreed to be our Vice President for Scholarships. We still need two additional Chapter Officers: Vice President for Industry Affairs and Vice President for Membership Retention. Please consider giving back to Ohio Army Aviation - become a Chapter Officer.
- Scholarship Campaign : We're in pursuit of this the ultimate prize for any chapter. Stay tuned for information concerning an August 2008 Golf Outing as our initial fundraiser. Also, we are going forward with planning for an Ohio Army Aviation Extravaganza in the Sep 09 timeframe. This event may include BBQ, aircraft static displays, live auction, silent auction, local celebrity appearances and live video feed to Iraq. All proceeds will go to the Wright Bros Scholarship Fund. An undertaking of this magnitude will take a year to plan and execute, your help is NEEDED.
Calling all AAAA golfers – need your feedback on interest in a golf outing for 22 Aug 08. Are you interested? If interest is sufficient, our pros will be in touch with details.
- AH-1 Cobra "on-a-stick" : no, this is not a mis-print or April fools joke. AAAA in cooperation with AASF#2 will re-furbish the Cobra on the Guard Ramp. This will be accomplished in 2009, hopefully before the Ohio Army Aviation Extravaganza event. Your donations of money, materials, good-ole Army ingenuity are needed to make this a reality. CAK did this years ago, and now we are going forward with our plans. If you are able to contribute in anyway, PLEASE contact COL Driesbach or SFC Joe Donohue at AASF#2.Folks this is long over-due! Another legacy opportunity for Wright Bros.
