Texas Lone Star Chapter82D AIRBORNE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
TEXAS LONE STAR CHAPTER
The Texas Lone Star Chapter of the We had a really good turnout for our Chapter Meeting and Picnic. Special thanks to Richard Baker for providing the delicious chili,Todd Breeding for the great shrimp, and Larry Nix for the Boudain and Sausage. The association provided the hamburgers and hot dogs. SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL AIRBORNE DAYS REUNION - JUNE 11-13, 2010 - CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
82nd Airborne Division Association
meets on the third Saturday of every month
at the American Legion Post #490
11702 Old Galveston Road (Highway 3)
near Ellington Field
Meetings start at 12:30 p.m.
Here is a list of the 2010 meetings that will not be held at the American Legion:
- April 17, 2010 - Spring Picnic
- October 2010 - Fall Picnic
- December 2010 - Christmas Dinner
AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY
If you are AIRBORNE, you are part of the best… the elite. No matter when or where or which Airborne Unit you served. You volunteered and survived jump school, earned your wings and become forever, a part of that worldwide fraternity to which all troopers belong. William P. Yarborough, one of the pioneers of the U.S. Airborne, said “…Those who choose to become military parachutists must sometimes during the process, prove to themselves that they possess certain strengths that set them apart from many of their fellow human beings.” It is probably the self confidence and self-respect which successful paratrooper training reveals nurtures, and has made the airborne soldiers of all nations so formidable on the field of battle. It is our intention and reason for existence, of the Texas Lone Star Chapter and the 82nd Airborne Division Association reason, to continue and foster that special esprit de corps, which only paratroopers know.
CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS
APRIL 17, 2010 CHAPTER MEETING AND PICNIC
Mark your calendar. We just received the newsletter from the South Texas All Airborne Chapter saying that the Southwest Memorial Airborne Days Reunion will be held in Corpus Christi, Texas June 11, 12, and 13th, 2010. Convention registration is $75 per trooper, $150 couples, and $75 per guest. Start planning for the reunion.
Guest room group rate accomodations are $99 for single or double. To receive the group rate you must reserve for the three nights, from June 10-12, 2010 and make your reservation by May 7, 2010. Individuals are to call hotel directly and refer to the group code A82 to assure proper room rates. The hotel contact information is:
Holiday Inn Emerald Beach
1102 S. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-883-5731 or toll free 1-800-448-229-62004
CHAPTER DUES At the February meeting, a collection was taken up from the members present and the chapter made a donation to the Association's Educational Fund in memory of Manny De Jesus and Earnest Brown. The spring picnic is scheduled for April 17th at Ron Faulkner's house in the Highlands. More details will follow as we get closer. Please make a note on your calendar's to hold the date. RETIRED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MANUAL E. "MANNY" DE JESUS OPERATION “DROPZONE CHARLESTON” WITHIN THE DIVISION NATIONAL CONVENTION NEWS
Remember your 2010 membership dues are due now. The dues are $15.00. Use the application on the Membership Application page.
82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION "CENTURION" CLUB
The Centurion Club is a separate and unique organization within the Association which awards Centurion Wings to qualified Troopers (past and present). Requirements for qualification are:
- 100 or more jumps
- Master Parachuist Rating or Class "C" Civlian License
- All American Member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association
Qualified and interested personnel may request a copy of the requirements and an application from the Texas Lone Star chapter chairman, George Martinez.
REMINDER TO SUBMIT ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS INFORMATION PROMPTLY
National stressed the importance of submitting a Change of Address on a timely basis to your local chapter and national office. The return of the PARAGLIDE, at .50 cents each, continues to be a financial burden. National has done all that they can to make this process a simple and "painless" one by publishing a "MOVING ON" section in every issue of the PARAGLIDE, and via the National Website by visiting: www.82ndairborneassociation.org and clicking on the Change of Address link.
PAST CHAPTER EVENTS
FEBRUARY 20, 2010 CHAPTER MEETING
It is with great sadness that we announce that Manuel "Manny" De Jesus, retired executive director of the 82nd Airborne Association, passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2010. As many of you know, Manny had fought a valiant fight against lung cancer. As Manny would always sign off in his letters, "Airborne All The Way!"
CHAPTER’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Chapter Christmas Party was held on December 5, 2009 at the Hobby Hilton. We had a good turnout with a few new faces joining us. Once again, we come to the end of our year and we want to wish a Merry Christmas to all our chapter members, all military personnel and their families.
FALL CHAPTER PICNIC
The fall picnic was held at Ron Faulkner's home in the Highlands. It was a gorgeous day and we had a good turnout (see pictures on the "Pictures" page). A chapter meeting was held also and one of the topics was officer elections for 2010. The following officers were elected by chapter members:
Chairman - George Martinez
Vice Chairman - Robert Ontiveros
Secretary-Treasurer - Ron Faulkner
Sergeant-at-Arms - Regino Valle
Color Guard - Paul Winburn
NATIONAL NEWS
The pre-Convention Meeting has been accomplished and the Host Chapter’s Steering Committees are prepared to put on a first class convention. Their priority is to ensure the Conventioneers have a great time! The Main Hotel, Marriott Charleston Town Center, is approximately fifteen minutes for Yeager Airport and offers free hotel shuttle service. Convention room rates ($99 plus tax = $104.94) are available two days prior and one day after the official Convention dates. The Division has announced their full support with a scheduled jump at the Convention, Thursday August 19th. Please do not procrastinate, register early. Also the 82nd Airborne division in preparation for the Division Headquarters’ redeployment from the GWOT in mid and late June will send a substantial number of Combat Veterans, from Iraq and Afghanistan to the National Convention.
On March 22nd the Fort Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion opened its own physical fitness center behind Hardy Hall. What was once an old storage space in now home to over $200,000 worth of fitness equipment for use by the Wounded Warrior soldiers and their families. Johnson Controls, Inc donated the equipment, such as treadmills, stationary bikes, various weight machines and more.
by Allen Schoppe
The 63rd National Convention of the 82nd Airborne Division held in Indianapolis, Indiana is now over and we have some great memories. The Texas Lone Star Chapter was recognized and received a certificate for increasing our membership. The Association total membership has increased and the membership of the Association is 33,194. We are the largest military association. Other news the Board received Manny De Jesus's letter of resignation. Manny is resigning after seventeen years as our Executive Director. In February, Manny was diagnosed with non-small cell right lung carcinoma. His resignation is effective on December 2009. The Board approved Santiago Tijerina of Indianapolis, Indiana to replace Manny De Jesus as our next Executive Director. Santiago will start on January 1, 2010. Santiago retired from the 82nd Airborne Division. He currently lives in Indianapolis and will be moving to Fayetteville. We also named Manny De Jesus as the 2009 All American of the Year. Manny did one great job during his tour as our National Director. The Board voted Reno, Nevada as the 2011 National Convention site.
NEW NATIONAL DIRECTORS
The new members of our Association's Board of Directors are:
Carl Bludau - Golden Brigade Chapter
James Crowley - John Towle/Cleveland Chapter
Bill Eberle - Ben Vandervoort/Savannah/Hilton Head Island All American Chapter
Randy Glancy - Fayetteville Chapter
Ed Sanchez - Wolverine Chapter
Harold Schroeder - North Jersey Chapter
Donald Van Alstyne - North Central Florida Chapter
Rusty Wolfe - Lehigh Valley Chapter
NEW ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
The new officers for 2010 are:
President - Bill Eberle
Vice Pres - Harold Schroeder
Secty - Chester Cassidy
Treasurer - Allen Schoppe
The same officers are also the officers for the Division Educational Fund.
ARCHIVES
SEPT 19, 2009 CHAPTER MEETING
The chapter meeting covered updates from the National Convention. We also had updates on our Christmas Party location, which will be finalized at our next meeting which will be our Fall Chapter Family Picnic (Oct 17) at Ron Faulkner's home. Nominations and votes for chapter officers will be held also at that time. If you need directions, please e-mail George Martinez or Ron Faulkner.
We would like to also thank the American Legion Post 490 for their great hospitality when we have our meetings there. During the September meeting, our chapter was given two raffles tickets by members of the Post. These were $25 raffle tickets and we would like to say Thank You to the wonderful folks there.
MAY 16, 2009 CHAPTER MEETING
On Armed Services Day, the Texas Lone Star Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division met at their usual spot, the American Legion Post 490. After a very busy meeting talking about the upcoming memorial in Houston, the members enjoyed the Post's hopsitality with bbq and live music.
APRIL 18, 2009 CHAPTER MEETING AND FAMILY PICNIC
The chapter held it's annual spring picnic/meeting on April 18th at Walter Hall Park in League City. Unfortunately the weather that day was quite bad. Members attending were nearly blown away by high winds and driving rain.
MARCH 2009 CHAPTER MEETING
The March 21, 2009 meeting was held at the American Legion Post #490 in Houston. Discussions were held regarding the upcoming Chapter Picnic and the 27th Annual Southwest Memorial Days Reunion.
JANUARY 2009 CHAPTER MEETING
The chapter's January 17, 2009 meeting was held at the American Legion Post #490 in Houston. Discussions were held regarding the upcoming 27th Annual Southwest Memorial Days Reunion.
Also, Allen Schoppe, chapter member and National Secretary announced that he would be running the half-marathon in the Houston Marathon on Sunday January 18th. We are pleased to announce that Allen completed the half-marathon and all of the chapter members are really proud of him. Way to go Airborne!
VETERAN'S DAY PARADE DOWNTOWN HOUSTON These folks will be given the oath of office at the December 2nd Christmas Dinner. Please plan to attend. Details will be forthcoming in the near future.
The Texas Lone Star Chapter color guard once again marched in the downtown Houston Veteran's Day Parade. This year was accentuated by the flyover of three apache helicopters who flew down the streets in between the skyscrapers. A real thrill for all who attended. The parade was highlighted by marching bands, veteran groups, ROTC groups and many other groups. Before the parade a 11th hour ceremony was held at City Hall which was very memorable. Many veterans attended and were warmed by the amount of people who came up to them and said "Thank you".
FALL PICNIC AND CHAPTER OFFICER ELECTION - OCTOBER 20, 2007
The Fall Picnic and Officer Election Meeting was held Saturday October 20, 2007 at Ron Faulkner's home. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. The picnic was filled with laughter and good stories from the chapter members and a delicious fish fry prepared by present chapter President, George Martinez .
A meeting followed the meal with election of the 2008 chapter officers. The following officers were elected:
- Chairman elect is George Martinez,
- Vice Chairman is Robert Ontiveros,
- Treasurer elect is Ron Faulkner,
- Sergeant-at-Arms elect is Regino Valle III
- Color Guard elect is Paul Winburn.
