December Newsletter

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BRIEFINGS
December, 2007	The Newsletter of the Yellow Rose Squadron	Vol. 10-12
	Briefings e-mail address: B25YR@msn.com

LEADER'S WORDS

By Ron Dietes, Squadron Leader


     As most of you know, our Christmas Party is scheduled for Saturday December 8^th at 6pm at the Faust Hotel in New Braunfels. In past years we traveled into downtown Fredericksburg to have lunch and we would then browse thru the downtown shops before heading to the hotel for dinner. We thought it might be fun to do something similar this year even though we won’t be in Fredericksburg. We thought it might be fun for those of you that may be interested, to meet at the Grist Mill restaurant in Gruene around 12:30pm for lunch and libations. Then after lunch walk thru the shops in Gruene before heading to the hotel for Happy Hour and dinner. If you are interested in joining us, let Letty or me know so can get a count and call ahead to the Grist Mill. By the way, for those of you that are new to the squadron, the Christmas Party and Fly Day take the place of our normal squadron meeting in December.

     The Fly Day will be Sunday December 9^th at the hangar in San Marcos. The current plan is to have folks arrive around 11:30am and to have lunch as soon as we have the turkey and ham sliced and set out. That will probably be around noon. The squadron is buying the meat, but we are relying on those coming to bring a covered dish. The feast will be in the Officers Club at the hangar. Following lunch, weather permitting we will start the flying. So far, we have the B-25 and Grant with the T-6. If you have not had a ride in a warbird, this is your chance. Also, don’t forget that we are having a silent auction. Contact Tim Black for additional information or if you have something you want to donate.

     I understand that congratulations are in order for our newest A&P. Ray Clausen has passed his FAA tests and can now join the ranks of the licensed wrench turners at the hangar. Ray attended St. Phillips for his required classroom and experience required for taking the exams. Having done the same thing, I can say that it is a very good feeling to have the school and practical tests in the past. It is also rewarding to know you have accomplished a personal goal. Well done, Ray.

     We have scheduled Saturday and Sunday December 15^th and 16^th for giving paid rides. If you know anyone that wanted to purchase a ride for either themselves or for someone else and because of our engine change and schedule missed the opportunity, now is the time to let them know. Contact Bubba Renfro for more info.

     The elections were held at our November meeting and I am happy to say that the Nominating and Election committee’s did a great job. There were no nominations from the floor and the nominees ran unopposed so absentee ballots were not required. Our 2008-2009 Executive Officer is Bubba Renfro, Finance Officer is Judy McMillan and Safety Officer is Mel Soderberg.

     For those of you that have not heard, our Web Master, Ed McCafferty was in the hospital. I am happy to report that he is now at home and is doing better. So, let’s keep Ed in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

     After the Fly Day, paid rides and my PPE we will start the 100-hour inspection of the Rose. Hopefully, all will go according to plan and we will be back and flying quickly. Right now we do not forsee any surprises, but we won’t know for sure until we do the inspection. I am still waiting for a report and an cost estimate from Global on our other donated engine and as soon as I know something I will let you know. Right now the important thing is for us to get the estimate and then work out a way to cover the overhaul and installation cost. Although the left engine appears to be OK, it still has a thousand hours on it. Both Jim Liles and I would like to have the overhauled engine already done and in San Marcos ready to go when it is needed. We do not want to be down like we were with the right engine.

     Letty and I want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

MINUTES OF THE YELLOW ROSE SQUADRON MEETING, November 13, 2007

By Pat Moore, Squadron Adjutant

Meeting commenced at 1800

Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer

Jim Liles made a motion to accept the minutes from the October meeting as published in the newsletter-Steve Gladwin seconded-motion passed.

AMENDMENT TO THE MINUTES: There were two amendments to previous minutes-the first was from the Sept. 2007, minutes. Instead of an Apache chopper group wanting to link to our website, it was the “Air Apaches” 345^th Bomb Group, 500 BS, 5^th AF-they flew B-25’s in the Pacific. The second amendment was a name change-Tim Black was head of the nominating committee and the name “Roy” should read as “Ray”.

Judy McMillan made a motion to accept these amendments, Chuck Clayton seconded-motion carried.

Bob Gardner introduced his guest, Kelly Garvin, who will be a new member and has worked with the Rose Squadron before.

REPORTS

Ron called on the various officers to make their reports:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Tim Black reported the squadron has 15 rooms set aside at the Faust Hotel in New Braunfels for the Christmas party-only 5 people have claimed rooms. The other 10 rooms need to be claimed by November 24. If you would like to reserve a room, let Tim Black know. Deadline to RSVP to the party itself is December 5^th. The party is on Saturday, Dec. 8 with the fly-day on Sunday, Dec.9. There will be a silent auction on Dec. 9^th as well.

ADJUTANT; Pat Moore asked squadron members to get any changes in their contact information to him as soon as they can so the Rose directory can be issued as early as possible in 2008.

OPERATIONS; ; Steve Gladwin was voted by staff as the OPS officer.

FINANCE: Judy gave her finance report and passed around a financial statement to the membership. We got our bill for next year’s insurance. ANUAC and some other insurance s are due for payment as well.

Judy stated we would more than likely spend the same amount of money on the next new engine as we did on the last one. In 2008, if we make as much as we did in 2007, get some new aircraft sponsors, and draw from some various accounts, we may be able to buy the new engine. Some discussion on this followed. Ron told membership the individual who worked on the last engine is easy to work with.

Steve Gladwin made a motion to accept the finance report, Bob Gardner seconded, motion passed.

MAINTENANCE: Jim Liles reported the Rose is up and flying and has done two shows. He said they repaired some leaks in the left engine. There had been an abnormal amount of oil consumption in that engine which is down now. A locked brake was also repaired.

PX: Greg told membership the PX is making an income again since the plane is in the air. We did well at the last two shows. Greg is letting the inventory run down for the year. He is waiting to see what the Rose’s schedule will be in 2008 before ordering again. He will be taking inventory in December.

SAFETY: No report

ADOPT-AN-AIRPORT; No report

NEWSLETTER; No report

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Bob reported that there was some good footage of the Rose and some interviews on a local program recently.

NEW BUSINESS: The Winter Staff Conference is the 7,8,9 of March, 2008, instead of in February. Ron has the paperwork on it if anyone would like to see it.

Cowden had sent Ron an e-mail about having a booth at the Austin Boat Show-we would need people to man it. Would be good exposure. Details are not yet known but will have more information on it in the near future.

Ron told membership that on Dec. 15, and 16, the Rose would be giving pay for hire rides that were previously scheduled but were not able to be flown.

Ron announced that the cushions for the Rose are done and on their way back.

Ron also reminded members that dues should be paid now.

SICK CALL/GONE WEST: Ed McCafferty is in the hospital. A card will be sent to him as well as our prayers and best wishes.

Ron stressed that the awards handed out at the last meeting came from Midland. Ron told membership he would never make light of these awards. He presented a few more awards to those who were not at the last meeting; Steve Gladwin and Lettie Dietes.

ELECTIONS: The positions up for election this year were XO, Finance, and Safety. Tim Black led the nominating committee and had the following nominations:

XO-Bret Renfro

Finance-Judy McMillan

Safety-Mel Soderberg

Ed Liscomb chaired the elections. There were no nominations from the floor so nominations were closed.

XO- Judy McMillan made a motion to close nominations for XO-Chuck Clayton seconded. Motion passed.

Jim Liles made a motion for a white ballot for Bret as XO-Bob Gardner seconded, motion carried.

FINANCE: Chuck Clayton made a motion to close nominations for Finance Officer, Mel Soderberg seconded-motion carried.

Bob Gardner made a motion for a white ballot for Judy as Finance Officer, Jim Liles seconded, motion passed.

SAFTEY: Bob Gardner made a motion to close nominations for Safety Officer, Chuck Clayton seconded, motion carried.

Jim Liles made a motion to accept a white ballot for Mel as Safety Officer-Bob Gardner seconded, motion carried.

Elections were closed.

Jim Liles made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Chuck Clayton seconded, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 1845 hrs.

Yellow Rose Travel, Events and Reports

WACO AIRSHOW

By Greg Young

On Saturday, November 10, 2007; the Rose set out on a mission to assist a fellow CAF unit, the Spirit of Waco group up there of course, in Waco. Our fellow bomber pilot (A26-Joe Nemer) needed our presence at the Central Texas Airshow held at the former James Connally AFB, now Texas State Technical College. Marginal weather enroute kept the Rose on the ground until the middle of the morning when finally, her crew of Ron Dietes, Grant Lannon, Mike Francis, and Greg Young were able to depart. We navigated our course up there mindful of the fact that there was much restricted airspace as President Bush was at his ranch in Crawford. The Rose’s arrival was greeted with a crowd of people who were eager to see the airplane. Our intrepid crew quickly set up cockpit tours and in less than an hour we had made $100 in cockpit tours which unfortunately had to end when the flight line was sanitized. Beth Jenkins of DEVIL DOG fame was the airboss and she did a good job coordinating the aircraft. One of the highlights of the show for me was a formation flyby of 8 helicopters led by 2 of the Presidential helicopters followed by 6 Blackhawks. Seeing those Marine Presidential Sikorskys brought back memories of my childhood in Washington DC when I lived under the flight path between the White House and Andrews AFB. I remember the piston engine Vertols and Sikorsky H34s that flew Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy over the house and then they started using the turbine Sikorskys during the JFK years and they have been using them since although they are slated to be replaced by a European designed helicopter soon. Ron, Grant, and Mike put on the usual Rose performance with a couple of sharp looking photo passes as a finale. They landed and made a HOT pickup of yours truly and it was off to the South and home. Upon arrival at San Marcos, we announced our arrival with a pass over the hangar to greet the people working to prepare for the successful Dinner Dance held that night. We landed and parked the Rose where she continued to be on display for the Dinner Dance patrons.

Financial for above from Judy McMillan, Finance Officer

On November 10th, Yellow Rose was paid $500 appearance fee for the Ranger Wing Air Show and we made $98 in cockpit tours. The Rose wasn't there very long because they came back early for the Hanger Dance at San Marcos.

OPERATIONS REPORT

By Steve Gladwin,, Squadron Operations Officer

     Well, we are wrapping up a very successful 2007. We had some significant downtime with the replacement of the right engine but my hat is off to Grant for running operations for the Doolittle Reunion which was a resounding success from many aspects. Our final operations event for 2007 is our own Family fly day at the hanger on December 9th.

     The outlook for 2008 is bright with many new opportunities such as Fairhope, Alabama in May and our regulars such as Fredericksburg in July. Unfortunately our season opener at Brownsville seems to be doubtful due to ongoing construction at the airport.

     Ken will be going to the ICAS conference in Las Vegas this month and this effort will provide a great jump-start to 2008. Both Ken and I will be working as a team to ensure the Yellow Rose is well presented to as many communities as possible in 2008.

A JOB WELL DONE

From Letty Dietes

Hi Letty. Thought you'd like to know that I was just talking with a young wounded soldier, a Todd Nelson, and that he was telling me how much he enjoyed his flight on the "Yellow Rose" up in San Marcos. Every Sunday evening Betty and I attend a "Christ for the Intrepid" service at the Center for the Intrepid. It's a service mainly for the wounded at BAMC and their families at the Fisher House. The head chaplain and his wife are friends of ours. Apparently one of the other older veterans who attend the service had made arrangements for some of the wounded to take a flight on the plane that Ron pilot's.   I got a kick out of listening just how much Todd enjoyed the opportunity. Tell Ron thanks a million.

Gary Young

2008 Yellow Rose B-25
Squadron Staff Officers

Squadron Leader - Ron Dietes

t6cpilot@netzero.net

Executive Officer - Bret Renfro

bubba@gvtc.com

Finance Officer - Judy McMillan

heyjude@texas.net

Adjutant - Pat Moore

patrickmoore99@mail.ev1.net

Operations Officer - Steve Gladwin

skgladwin@suddenlink.net

Maintenance Officer - Jim Liles

james.liles@gte.net

Safety Officer - Mel Soderberg

melandjean@hotmail.com

PX Officer - Greg Young

tbolt52@hotmail.com

Publicity Officer - Bob Gardner

bob@rhga.com

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