Updated 27 July 2010
Why is there such a strong bond
among Crusader drivers (and the ground troops too)? Ernest Hemingway
has the answer:
"You love a lot of things if you live around them. But there isn't any
woman and there isn't any horse, not any before nor after, that is as
lovely as a great airplane. And men who love them are faithful to them
even though they leave them for others.
Man has one virginity to lose in fighters, and if it is a lovely
airplane he loses it to, there is where his heart will forever be."
Crusader Association Membership Roster Update
To all Crusader members:
We are trying to update the Crusader Membership from the last book
published some time ago. It is sadly out of date. Thanks to Bill Wright
& Dave Johnson we have accurate information on about 1000 of our
roughly 2000 members. That leaves about 1000 that we need to contact.
We are enhancing our capabilities. The updated list will enable you to
specify that you wish receive all the news on Crusader Net or just
receive emails concerning LACB information. We are also including
associates, people with a close connection to the F8 such as family
members, non-flying squadron officers, squadron web site managers, etc.
We have a volunteer group working on this composed of Bill
Wright, Wes Clarke, and Dave Johnson. To keep up with the rest of
the world, we plan to have this in digital format and available
to all
members.
The group has put together a process to share the load among many
volunteers. Step one, which has already started, is to identify
email addresses that are in our mailing list but not represented in our
database. If you received a email from Wes asking for
information, please reply promptly.
For Step two we need volunteers to contact those members for whom we
don’t have valid email addresses. Volunteers ideally will
be able to to edit a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file; however, if you
want to help and do not have that capability, we can work around
it. Any computer with Excel 97 through Excel 2007 on it should be
sufficient. Mac’s work also if you can edit an Excel
spreadsheet. This should be a fun process since it will be an
opportunity to talk to squadron mates that you may not have conversed
with for a long time.
If you have a good personal list of squadron mates you are an ideal
volunteer, but we also need to contact folks who aren’t directly
connected with a squadron in our database. If you are willing to
help please email Wes at F8Upilot@Charter.net, specifying the squadron
or squadrons you would like to work on and the time frame you served
with that squadron. He will send you an Excel file with a list of
members to contact and instructions. The process is simple.
If you are not volunteering and have not received an email from Wes
requesting information please DO NOT email him at this time. You
will overwhelm his email box. More information and requests will
be forthcoming as the process proceeds.
All hands, please add the email address F8Upilot@charter.net to your
allowed list in your spam blocker in case Wes needs to contact you
directly.
Pease volunteer to help us out with this update. Spreading the load among many will lighten it for all of us.
Chuck Klusmann, Assoc. President
Minutes of the Annual
Meeting
Of the Board of Directors
Of
The Crusader Association
The Annual meeting of the Board of Directors for the 24th Last Annual
Crusader Ball (LACB) was held at the Hilton Hotel, DFW Airport,
Grapevine, TX on October 9, 2009.
The meeting was called to order at 1600 by President Chuck Klusmann.
Board Officers present were: Chuck Klusmann (President); Robert Pearl
(Treasurer); Don Keast (Marine Rep); Jim Shardy (Secretary). Absent-
Joe Phaneuf (Vice President).
Voting members: Don Keast; John Holm; Jerry Unruh.
Non-voting members: Dave Morris, Richard Brown, Cal Swanson, Vic Riley.
The President declared a quorum and opened meeting for business.
President Chuck Klusmann complimented Dennis Duffy for the huge success
of 24th LACB while overcoming major difficulties with late attendee
commitments and large guarantees for facilities.
Dennis Duffy, 24th LACB Chairman, gave a report of lessons learned.
Problems:
- Lack of timely commitment and payment from attendees to
allow
for planning of events which necessitated having to guarantee hotel
space with my credit card. In the future, Dennis recommended an early
non-refundable commitment to cover deposits for planning purposes.
- Silent auction not
successful; need ideas to generate profits.
Success: Lockheed/ Martin tour very highly rated by all
attendees.
Chuck Klusmann opened discussion for location of next LACB recommending
Pensacola in May 2011 coinciding with 100th year Naval Aviation
celebration. A major problem of finding hotel space and facilities will
be researched ASAP.
Jerry Unruh briefed members on 100th year Naval Aviation celebration as
being a huge event involving ships, aircraft and many exhibits
available for us to enjoy. Consequently, our events
should
be limited to the Ball, Happy Hour and perhaps individual squadron
activities which should make our planning easier. Also, 18 month cycle
for LACB events recommended.
Motion:
Bob Pearl made motion to
schedule 25th
LACB for May 2011 in Pensacola; 18 month cycle and 26th LACB to be held
in San Diego in October 2012; seconded by Chuck Klusmann.
Motion
passed unanimously.
USS Midway Ready Room report: Bob Pearl
-
Completed with a great location on ship for maximum
people traffic.
-
The F-8 drivers,
through their contributions, allowed this project to succeed without
outside help. Other projects failed because of lack of commitment.
-
The donation board will be changed due to difficulty of
reading the names.
-
Our financial
status is excellent; $61,161 received in contributions, $46,379.07
expenditures, balance of $15,221.93.
-
However, we still need donations.
-
All donation checks
must to made out to “Crusader
Association”; (must be
exact words for IRS rules as a non-profit tax-exempt organization)
Crusader Association Finance Report: Bob Pearl
-
As of Jan 2009, operating balance of $19,622.65
-
Expenditures, $175
-
Cash on hand, $15,947.65 (Charles Schwab Account)
-
Loan to LACB 24 committee, $3,500
-
Total Assets, $19,447.65
Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum: Chuck Klusmann
F-8 finances have dwindled
to $1000
from $12,000. Account will be investigated for expenditures.
A
RF-8 has been located for possible restoration for the museum and
donations are needed.
Scholarship Program: Chuck Klusmann
In order to establish a
program,
$40,000 dollars is required which is not feasible for the Crusader
Association. Possible alternative is using the Tail Hook
organization to facilitate this program. John Holm is
researching
this process.
BOD Replacements
-
Jim Shardy replaced Vic Riley as Secretary on 1 Oct 2009.
-
3 Board members
will be replaced in Pensacola, May 2011 and 3 Board members will be
replaced in San Diego, Oct 2012.
-
Chuck Klusmann and Don Keast volunteered to remain on the
board.
Motion:
John Holm made motion to
have Chuck
Klusmann and Don Keast remain on the board. Seconded by Bob
Pearl. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion to adjourn at 1700 by Bob Pearl; seconded by Don
Keast, Passed
Date:_________________________
By:__________________________
Jim Shardy
Secretary
Authenticated:________________________________
Chuck Klusmann
President
Minutes of the Annual
Meeting
Of the Members
Of
The Crusader Association
The Annual meeting of the Members of the F-8 Crusader Association for
the 24th Last Annual Crusader Ball (LACB) was held at Hilton Hotel, DFW
Airport, Grapevine, TX. on October 10, 2009.
The meeting was called to order at 1700 by President Chuck
Klusmann. Board members present were Chuck Klusmann
(President), Vice-President Joe Phaneuf; Secretary Jim
Shardy,
Treasurer Bob Pearl, Don Keast, and Jerry Unruh.
President Klusmann complimented Dennis Duffy for an outstanding LACB
event. The Lockheed/Martin tour received excellent
compliments
from all attendees. The L/M test pilot giving the tour stated
that the Crusader pilots asked the best questions of any group he has
lead.
- USS Midway F-8 Ready Room is complete
and
financially sound but will continue to need donations. Your
tax-deductible donations must be made payable to the
“Crusader
Association”.
- F-8 at Naval Aviation Museum
Pensacola
financial balance has dwindled down to $1000 from $12000 and an
investigation is in progress.
- Crusader Association finances are
excellent at
this time but can always use more of your tax-deductible donations.
Jim Bloomberg representing Veterans Memorial Air Park, Fort Worth, TX.,
was introduced by President Klusmann and stated that military history
is fading. The Air Park is used to educate and help
youngsters
appreciate the aviation history of our country. They have
just
received delivery of an RF-8 that was severely damaged in hurricane
Katrina and need donations (tax-deductible) for its
restoration.
This particular aircraft 898 was flown by Chuck Klusmann on his first
flight over Laos in 1964 and heavily damaged during that
mission.
They only need $12,000 for the restoration. Send your tax-deductible
donation to:
Veterans Memorial Air
Park
“Crusader” P. O. Box
161966 Fort
Worth, TX. 76161
BOD Meeting Recap:
- Chuck Klusmann and Don
Keast remaining on the board through LACB 25.
- LACB 25 will be in
Pensacola, May 2011 in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of Naval
Aviation.
- Facilities to house our
event is in progress.
- Please contact
all your F-8 friends to inform them of this great celebration.
100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation – Jerry Unruh
Briefed members of
celebration as being
a huge event involving ships, aircraft, Blue Angels and many exhibits
available for us to enjoy. Consequently, our events should be
limited to the Ball, Happy Hour and perhaps individual squadron
activities which should make our planning easier.
Scholarship Program: Chuck Klusmann
- In
order to establish a
program, $40,000 dollars is required which is not feasible for the
Crusader Association. Possible alternative is using the Tail
Hook
organization to facilitate this program. John Holm is
researching
this process.
- Dennis Duffy reminded
everyone that
the tax-deductible donations must be made payable to the
“Crusader Association” (exact title necessary).
Motion to adjourn at 17:27. Passed.
Date _______________
By__________________
Authenticated______________________
Jim
Shardy
Charles Klusmann
LACB
Secretary
LACB President
To ensure we continue the long tradition of annual
get-togethers and
to renew the bonds which tie those who associated with that magnificent
Fighter
aircraft, we have formed the F-8 CRUSADER ASSOCIATION INC. This will be
a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to provide a real time
organization to
keep track of and communicate with those in our Crusader family.
A non-profit association provides some advantages which will
help in
the future as our numbers naturally diminish and will more clearly
outline some
ongoing and necessary administrative functions. We are not in
competition with Tailhook and will continue to support them in every
way possible.
Further, there should be little or no cost to members.
CRUSADER ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS FOR
2009-2010
OFFICERS
revised 10/10/2009
PRESIDENT:
Chuck
Klusmann
candek@bellsouth.net
1065 Chandelle Lake Drive
(H) 850 492 5806
Pensacola,
Florida 32507
(C) 850 723 0804
Pres- May 2008,
BOD 2005
VICE-PRES:
Joe
Phaneuf joe@hpcareer.net
9622
Basket Ring Rd.
(H)
410 715 2268
Columbia,
MD 21045
(C) 443 803
3439
Sep
2007
Fax 720 247 1816
SECRETARY:
Jim
Shardy
(H)
972 874 2992
4624
Skyline Drive
(C)
817 455 8855
Flower
Mound, Tx. 75028
Fax 972 874
2992
Oct
2009
TREASURER
Bob
Pearl
bobandgaypearl@att.net
5155-B
Renaissance Ave
(H)
858 587 8144
San
Diego, CA 92122
(C)
858 337 1318
May
2008
VOTING
MEMBERS
Don
Keast USMC rep
DGKsFOXesq@aol.com
373
Washatonia Dr.
(H)
760 471 6661
San
Marcos, CA 92078
(C)
760 419 1416
Oct
2005
(O)
760 471 8887
(F)
760 471 8889
John
Holm badger1@san.rr.com
4515
Benhurst Ave.
(H)
858 458 0640
San
Diego, CA 92122
(C)
619 886 4314
May 2008
Jerry
Unruh
junruh1@cox.net
1 Pueblo Dr.
(H/F)
850 492 1770
Pensacola,
FL 32507
(C)
850 377 1771
May
2008
NON-VOTING
MEMBERS
EMERITUS
Dave
Morris
dkmorris1@cox.net
23
Ivy Home Rd.
(H)
757 726 0192
Hampton, VA
23669
(F)
757 726 0195
May
2008
Richard
Brown
hotdogf8@verizon.net
11132
Rich Meadows Dr
(H)
703 444 3259
Great Falls, VA 22066
(O) 703 444 7978
May
2008
(F) 703 444 4880
(C)
703 915 4318
CAL
Swanson
calswanson@juno.com
6374
Wellesly Ct
(H)
858 453 4875
San Diego, CA 92122
(O) 858 279 4747
May
2008
(F)
858 279 4541
SERVICE
MEMBERS
Wayne "Bull" Durham (e-mail) durham@vt.edu
314 Sunset Blvd
(H)
540-552-4680
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Mar. 2010
Dave
Johnson (website) f8@cloudnet.com
5979
17th SE
djohnson@cloudnet.com
St. Cloud, MN 56304
(H)
320 253 5364
July 1997
(C)
230 249 2545
(F/V)
320 255 9778
Bill
Wright (roster manager)
wrightw@roadrunner.com
642
Windmill Ranch Rd (H)
760 753 2378
Encinitas,
CA 92024 (C)
760 828 2042
Dec
2001
(F)
760 753 2737
It is apparent by your continued interest and attendance at
the
annual Last
Crusader Balls that our experiences and friendships as Crusader pilots
are extraordinary in Naval Aviation. I feel it is important we don't
lose that
spark. -- Snake Morris
ASSISTANCE REQUESTED!
Almost all Assoc. work is done by the above mentioned group. Reunion
planning is a major undertaking, and requires many volunteers to assist
the Chairman. If you are willing to pitch in, click here to contact
us!
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