It has been a busy month – July that is. On 12 July, Dave Malmad and I attended an invitation only reception at JFTB Los Alamitos for Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia, USA (Ret.) The event was sponsored by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army. As you know, I was in the Army so the opportunity to meet a real hero was a must for me. SSG Bellavia has been out of the Army for quite some time and is an accomplished speaker. It was a very motivational presentation.
On 19 July, Chaplain Thompson and I attended an Awards presentation at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach at the invitation of CAPT Noel Dahlke, the Commanding Officer of NAVWPNSTA Seal Beach. As it turned out, this is the last presentation that CAPT Dahlke will make before his Change of Command ceremony on 26 July where Chaplain Thompson will lead the Invocation and Benediction. Bill and I were surprised when the CO presented a recognition plaque to GPS for our support of the Sailors at NWSSB. See the related story and photo elsewhere in the OP-Plan.
As you know, we continue to push for greater participation at our luncheons and an increase in membership. In this regard, Viki Nazarian, our web guru, has now created a Face Book page for GPS. Have your grandchildren show you how to view it and then like it or whatever you do to say that you have been there. We are hoping that we will get some of the younger members of the community to see something they like and join us in the future.
On a sad note, I recently received word that Carol Fields, our former Assistant Treasurer, who sat next to the late Dolores Hardy at the greeting/payment table for many years, has passed. Carol was the wife of Dick Fields who served as our PAO for many years. Our condolences go out to the family.
Finally, we are almost done trying to contact every member of ANA Grampaw Pettibone who is listed on the most current roster of ANA. If you have not been contacted, it is probably because we do not have current contact info on you or you already attend regularly. In the event that you have not been called, please contact me at (562) 547-0780 (phone or text) or at grampaw.pettibone@outlook.com to give me your current info.
See you on 8 August. Tim
