Updated 17 Jan. 2012
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."
LACB 26 IS COMING!!
Happy New Year Gator Drivers, spouses et al.
For those "unfortunates" who were unable to attend the LACB of LACB's
in Pensacola last May, thanks again to Chuck and his committee for such
a superb effort. The next LACB, #26 for whoever is counting, will
be held in synch with the Tailhook, September 6-9, 2012. The venue, as
always, is in that garden spot of Western Nevada, RENO! 315 degrees for
448 miles from Las Vegas, just a smidge north of Lake Tahoe.
For the most part, we will dove-tail with the Tailhook events, which at
this time are not known in detail. We do know that we will hold
our Crusader Reunion Banquet and Ball separately on
Thursday evening, the 6th. All functions are located at the
John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel as are the attendees rooms and our
Hospitality Suite.
Before they can assign a ballroom for our banquet they need an
approximate head count, so that is the first order of business. Who's
going????
Please send me an e-mail sooner than later on your planned attendance.
A simple yes, count me(us) in (#), or a maybe/ depends on
( ), or a hell no, never, not on your
life will do. I'll maintain the list until relieved by some other
gracious volunteer, which leads me to the second order of business. Who
wants to help???
We feel an on-scene commander is not necessary as most of the details
of setting up and running the show are done through the "hook" and/or
the hotel and can be handled electronically. At this time, we are
looking for a Hospitality Suite team lead and members and a liaison
person to coordinate the Tailhook events, both Symposium and side trip
excursions. It would be a plus if this person was a
local, but not a requirement.
If you are thinking positively in this direction, it's recommended to
make your reservations at the Nugget early as the hotel typically books
to the rafters for this event. I know we'll have some questions.
Please direct them to me or John Holm. We'll set up an info and faq
page on the website.
Fly the ball!
Joe Phaneuf, aka Brillo
President (incumbent)
Crusader Association
Here's an OP IMMED for those planning to attend:
Don't believe the Nugget website when trying to book a room. It shows all the rooms as sold out!
DON'T PANIC........they're reserved for the Tailhook attendees. I
just got off the phone, got a room and was advised to tell my friends to
call early because they are filling up.
You DON'T need a Tailhook Code; just tell the NICE lady that you're
with the CRUSADER ASSOCIATION and you're in. They are expecting us!
CALL NOW; Operators are standing, 800 648-1177 for reservations.
Brillo
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 2011-2012
OFFICERS
revised 6/1/2011
PRESIDENT:
Joe Phaneuf
joe@hpcareer.net
9622 Basket Ring Rd.
(H) 410 715 2268
Columbia, MD 21045
(C) 443 803 3439
Board - Sep 2007, Pres - May 2011 Fax 720 247 1816
VICE-PRES:
John Holm
badger1@san.rr.com
4515 Benhurst Ave.
(H) 858 458 0640
San Diego, CA 92122
(C) 619 886 4314
Board-May 2008 , V/P May 2011
SECRETARY:
Jim Shardy
jshardy1939@verizon.net
921 CR 2690 , Sundowner Stables (C) 817 455 8855
Alvord, Texas 76225
(H) 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
John Allen (Navy Rep)
froose8@cox.net
1225 Plantation Lakes Circle 757 429 1168
Chesapeake, VA 23320
May 2011
Ken Langford (Marine Rep)
liveoakken@ainternet.biz
311 Pebble Beach Drive
(H) 361 643 8878
Portland, TX 78374
(C) 361 533 2992
May 2011
Jerry Unruh
junruh1@cox.net
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
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
SERVICE MEMBERS
EMAIL OPERATIONS
Bull Durham
durham@vt.edu
314 Sunset Blvd 540 552 4680
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Jan 2011
F-8 CRUSADER WEB SITE
Dave Johnson (website) f8@cloudnet.com
5979 17th SE djohnson@cloudnet.com
St. Cloud, MN 56304
(H) 320 253
5364
(Long Time ?)
(C) 230
249 2545
(F/V)
320 255 9778
Michaela Conley
Michaela@hpcareer.net
9622 Basket Ring Rd. 410 715 2268
Columbia, MD 21045
May 2011
ROSTER MANAGER
Bill Wright
wrightw@roadrunner.com
642 Windmill Ranch Rd
(H) 760 753 2378
Encinitas, CA 92024
(C) 760 828 2042
Dec 2001
(F) 760 753 2737
Minutes of the Annual Meeting
Of the Board of Directors
Of
The Crusader Association
2011
The Annual meeting of the Board of Directors for the LACB-25 was held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Pensacola, Florida on 5 May 2011.
The meeting was called to order at 1000 by President Chuck Klusmann.
Board Officers present
were: Chuck Klusmann (President); Joe Phaneuf (Vice- President);
Jim Shardy(Secretary); Bob Pearl (Treasurer)
Voting Members: John Holm
Non-Voting Members: Richard Brown
Absent Members: Don Keast, Jerry Unruh, Dave Morris
President Chuck Klusmann opened discussion for replacement members:
- recommending Bill Bauer to replace Don Keast as
Marine rep. Richard Brown to coordinate.
- John Allen was welcomed to the Board in place of Wes Clarke as new Navy rep.
- Joe Phaneuf was nominated by Bob Pearl to relieve
Chuck Klusmann as President- seconded by Richard Brown-
motion passed- Joe Phaneuf is now Association President effective 1 June 2011.
- Estimated profit from LACB-25 will be $ 10,000
Distribution as follows: $2,000 – Museum at PNS
$2,000 – Midway
at SAN
Remainder- Crusader Assoc.
Bob Pearl – Finance Report
- F-8 Crusader Association Fund --$19,918.47
- F-8 Crusader Ready Room Fund - $ 16,704.00
- V-P John Holm will be back-up signatory for all funds.
- Cal Swanson will be relieved of financial duties.
Discussion- How to spend monies?
- plaques for deceased members?
Present policy of letting members contribute $250 to place deceased
members on RR plaque to continue. No Association money will be
allocated.
- perpetual maintenance fund for Ready Room and aircraft on USS Midway ?
- What happens when lease on Midway expires ? (Bob Pearl to investigate)
- fraud possibilities for Aviation Museum @ PNS ? (Sleuth “Hotdog” Brown to investigate).
- Crusader Scholarship Fund administration through the tailhook Association? (John Holm to investigate)
Summary of Replacements and Additions:
- Association President—Joe Phaneuf
- Association V-P – John Holm
- Email operations – Bull Durham relieving Walt Quist
- Emeritus member -- Cal Swanson retiring
- Emeritus member added-- Chuck Klusmann
- Navy Rep. --John Allen
- Marine Rep. – Ken Langford
- F-8 Crusader Fund Manager -- Karen Black
- F-8 Web operations assistant -- Michaela Conley
Special notes:
- Karen Black will assume management of F-8 Crusader Fund on Midway. (Bob Pearl will coordinate).
- Michaela Conley (Joe Phaneuf’s spouse) to assist Dave Johnson
with F-8 website operations.
LACB-26 will be held in Reno, Nevada, September 2012, piggy backing Tailhook Convention.
SPECIAL BULLETIN
The Association is looking for a LACB-26 Chairman and a few good men to organize event in Reno-2012
Motion to adjourn at 1200 by Bob Pearl; seconded by John Holm, Passed.
Date: May 15, 2011 By: _____JES__________
Jim Shardy, Secretary
Authenticated: ___JP______________
Joe Phaneuf, 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
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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