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Winter Chapter Meeting, January 2007

Brevard, North Carolina
19 - 21 January 2007

There were blizzards in Oklahoma, ice storms in Dallas, Texas and 44 inches of snow in Colorado and Chapter 33 was going forward with their Winter Meeting in Brevard, North Carolina. The weather people predicted lots of rain, lots of freezing temperatures and lots of ice for this little town nestled in the valleys of the Smokey Mountains. But that great Jump Master in the sky smiled down on us and the rains, the ice and the sub-zero temperatures did not materialize.

This meeting was perhaps the largest meeting we have had in a number of years. I'm not sure how many rooms were available at the Hampton Inn in Brevard, but I'm sure most of them were filled with members from Chapter XXXIII and their spouses. For once we had more than enough members for a quorum.

The gathering started on Friday, 19 January and ended on Sunday, 21 January. The time between these two points was spent eating, drinking and telling (and retelling) those ever-lasting combat stories. Friday's lunch and dinner consisted of various dips, chips, breads, meats, cheeses and three different flavors of chili. There was the mild (for the wimps), the hot (for the normal guys and gals) and then there was the Devil's Brew for those that truly love the taste of chili.

Many of those that claim to be connoisseurs of chili spent a miserable night as the stomach churned and ached and churned some more. What can I tell you? They should have swallowed their pride and went for the mild chili.

Saturday found many of the ladies off to see the sights and sounds and shops of Brevard. The guys hung around the hospitality room munching on left overs from Friday and drinking a couple of beers. At 1300 hours our guest speakers, Major General Jack Osteen and Robert Rankin gave us some insight to their early days in the military. I'm still working on this page and will have it up as soon as I finish it. Then at 1400 hours sharp, the president slammed the gavel down on the table and our chapter meeting begun.

General Billy Mitchell was court-martialed in 1925 for insubordination. 82 years later, Colonel Art McRae (USA Ret) was court martialed for discharging a weapon and destruction of property. Read Colonel McRae's court martial.

Mike DiRocco and company put on a fantastic feast Saturday night. There was more than enough food and pastries to feed an army. There was a small break between dinner and the auction so everyone could grab a smoke, a beer, a glass of wine or whatever. Then our two professional auctioneers (Herr Stan Shank and Herr Charlie Ponds) opened the floor and started wheeling and dealing. I didn't get a final tally as to how much money was brought into the chapter coffers but I believe it was substantial.

And so ended another chapter meeting. The next one will be in Knoxville, Tennessee the first week of April 2007. This is now a firm date and should be used to start your planning scenarios. And yes, we know it is Easter Weekend and still the majority still want the meeting held on those dates. It was mentioned at this meeting in Brevard that Knoxville is central to most everyone in the chapter. That means we should have another great turnout. Ron and company are hosting this April meeting.

I usually include some photos (maybe too many at times) of those members that attended the meeting. However, I've spent a lot of time doing the "court martial" scene (I'm still working on the "Guest" page) and I think most of you will be "photoed out" by the time you get through with the "court martial" (and "guest" page when I'm finished) to be looking at more photos. Still, I have included a Slide Show for your viewing pleasure if you are so inclined. There are no comments added and be forewarned that there are forty-two photos. The slide show will open in it's own window so you'll have to click on the "x" in the top right corner to delete the slide show page. Also, you can start, stop, show next, show previous of any slide you want.

I hope you enjoy the "court martial", the "guest" page (when I finish it) and the slide show.

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The Larry Alan Thorne Special Forces
Memorial Chapter XXXIII Winter Meeting
was created 8 February 2007
and last update 3 April 2008