2003 ADVA/ERC Reunion Report

Most of us arrived on Tuesday in time to settle into our home away from home for the next three nights.  The Breakers Hotel is located within walking distance to the boardwalk, beach and the main drag of shops and restaurants.  A delightful promenade down a quaint street brought us to Jake's Seafood Restaurant for our first meal together.  We were delighted to have Honey O'keefe and her daughter join us.

This was the beginning of the excitement of seeing old friends and welcoming new ones.

The hotel provided us with one of their banquet rooms.  This is where we met for catered buffet breakfasts, informal "snack and chat" meetings and our business meeting banquet.

Wednesday morning a bus brought us to Dover Air Force Base for a tour of their museum.  The museum is in a huge hanger filled with vintage war planes and related material.    We all enjoyed a luncheon buffet on the base before returning to the hotel.

Thursday the bus took most of us to the Midway Slots in Harrington, Delaware.  The non-gamblers had some free time to drive to the many tax free outlet malls or walk the boardwalk.  One ingenious couple took the ferry boat to Cape May, New Jersey and back.

Thursday evening we enjoyed the dinner buffet.  This was followed by our business meeting. Following the invocation by Leo Orfe, we observed a moment of silence in memory of departed comrades. 

First time attendees, David Taylor, Elmer Wright, Norman Walker, Philip Carpenter, Steve Pye, Brendan Mahoney and Reinhold Schiessl were welcomed with applause.

The minutes were read, amended and approved.  The treasurer reported income and expenses.

The members voted to re-elect the slate of officers for this coming year.

Wendell Strode is the reunion chairman for 2004.  His proposal to have the reunion in Bowling Green, Kentucky was approved by everyone attending. 

This year is the 20th Anniversary of the founding of our chapter.  A proposal was made and approved to present the charter members with a form of commemoration.

A call for a round of applause was given to Bob Kelly and Dave Eichhorn in appreciation of the work in organizing this reunion.

Alice Mullen purchased and had everyone sign several Get-Well greeting cards to be sent to regular attendees that couldn't make it to the reunion. 

Door prizes were donated by Wade and Dee Rodland and Jay and Mary Ann Flanagan.  Mary Ann also baked and brought cakes and brownies for all to enjoy.

Door prizes and the centerpieces on the tables were provided by Harold Conklin, the hotel night desk clerk, a Vietnam and Gulf War Veteran.  Harold also provided the P A system and VCR and TV for our use.

Many thanks to all of you for making another reunion a memorable event.

Joe and Eileen Tunis paid a visit to Pete and Julie Messina.  Pete is a past Chapter Commander also past National Commander. Pete is also a charter (founding) member of the chapter and gave the original charter document to Joe who is now chapter secretary.

A few words from member Robert Kelly:

I have started to set up a bus trip (of Berks County, Pa.) to the World War 11 Memorial dedication May 29, 2004. More information will be forthcoming.

Mark your date books for October 7th to 10th 2004 for the Bowling Green, Kentucky reunion.  Chairman Wendell Strode will be finalizing many arrangements over the next few weeks.