The regular monthly luncheon meeting of the General George S. Patton, Jr., Chapter SAR was held Friday, 11 July 2008, in the Garden Room of the Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA. The meeting was called to order by Chapter President Bill Henry with Compatriot Gary Smith giving the invocation, followed by the pledge to the Flag and the pledge to the SAR. In attendance were twelve compatriots: President Bill Henry, Vice President Ward White, Registrar Ron Risley, Chaplain Gary Smith, Past Presidents Frank Budroe, Dick Hawley and Hale Hamilton, Bob Colbern, Bill Bays, Burt Jacobs, and associate members David Bosworth and Ken Lynch. The twenty guests included our honored guest speaker Captain Tom Morgenfeld, USN(Ret.), Al Sundstrom, Skip Dunham, Jerry Lemke, Jill Jarmin, Willette Budroe, Nils Rueckert, Paul Dougherty, Nicholas Koffroth, John Shutt, Charles Valentine, Gene O’Neal, Bob McDonough, Tom Varden, Nancy Jacobs, Rosemarie Risley, Elaine Colbern, Shirley Hamilton, Karen Bosworth and Bernie Smith.

Reports: Reports were given by the following officers:

• Ron Risley presented the minutes of the 13 June chapter meeting for absent Secretary Bob Taylor, which were approved.
• The Treasurer Richard Caldwell was absent. The treasurer’s report was not available because the monthly bank statement had not yet been received by Compatriot Caldwell when he passed the checkbook to Ron Risley. The Treasurer’s Report for 30 June 2008 will be provided at the August meeting. The overpayment of past luncheons was deferred until the August meeting because the amount involved could not be determined.
• The Registrar Ron Risley presented the registrar’s report. Louis Kreuzer of Ventura is pending. Dr. Robert Jordan’s application was received at NSSAR on 11 June 2008. Kenneth Lynch’s application was received at NSSAR on 8 May. Nathan Nguyen’s Youth Registrant application was approved by NSSAR on 12 June, while Garrett Colbern’s Youth application was submitted to CASSAR 25 May. Bill Bays’ application was received by NSSAR 23 May. Gary Smith’s supplemental application on Captain Baskins was approved by NSSAR on 30 May, but his supplemental application on Captain Cole was pended for more documentation. Applications for George Horne and Dave Bosworth were approved by NSSAR on 17 June.

Standing committee reports: Brief comments were made on reports from chairmen of the Recognition, Chapter Developement, Bylaws and Nominating Committees.

Additional reports: None

Old Business:

President Henry read a letter of thanks from District Headquarters that the chapter received for the Spirit of America Awards in the Pleasant Valley School District. New Business: Initiation of new members. President Bill Henry initiated new member David Bosworth, and presented a Supplemental Membership Certificate (Captain Baskins) to Gary J. Smith. Also, available for presentation and deferred for a later chapter meeting were new member certificates for George Horne and Youth Registrant Certificate for Nathan Huynh. In response to a request from Past President Steve Hurst, SAR Flag Certificates were prepared for Charles Clark and John Maclean, both of Ventura.

Program: President Henry introduced the guest speaker, Tom Morganfeld, Captain, USN (Retired), test pilot for the Navy and Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Captain Morgenfeld shared his vast experience as a pilot of jet fighter aircraft. His slide presentation focused on his knowledge and experiences as the Lockheed Chief Test Pilot for the X-35 Program in the development of the X-35 Joint Fighter Aircraft (X-35A for the Air Force; X-35B for the Marine Corps; and the X-35C for the Navy). As this aircraft is the latest fighter to go into military operations, it was a most enlightening presentation. The design and capabilities of the aircraft are unbelievably advanced and concentrate on cost reduction of military aircraft procurement. It is rare that the public is informed of the superior technology and capabilities of our armed forces.

Our next chapter meeting will be held at the same time on August 8, 2008, when our guest speaker will be Bill Conroy, Executive Director, Ventura County Maritime Museum.

Closing: The meeting was adjourned following the SAR recessional and the benediction by Gary Smith.

Respectfully submitted
Ronald D. Risley for
Robert L. Taylor, Chapter Secretary