Hey! What did you expect? The same opening scenes that have adorned these pages all these years? At least you've got the Chapter Logo. This was the Association's annual convention and I thought I'd be a little daring and talk about the convention and what I saw in Las Vegas.

You know the commercial about Las Vegas, don't you? "What goes on in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas..."
Besides I'll cover the Chapter later on...

We departed Atlanta shortly after 1300 on 19 June 2004. The sun was shining and it was a balmy 92 degrees and 85% humidity. We landed in Las Vegas shortly after 1600 hours (Las Vegas time) and the sun was shining and it was a balmy 105 degrees and 0% humidity. This would be the coolest day of the week.

Most of the Conventioneers were staying at the Riviera---the Convention Hotel. A few of us were braving the crowds and living it up across the street at the Circus Circus. Then there were those, a few really brave souls, who were staying behind the Circus Circus in the RV camp. You can read Lee Myers, Art McRae and, yes, Sofia, Bobby Burke. Can you imagine Lee, Art and Bobby spending 5-6 days traveling across country together? Especially across those beautiful, scenic desert states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.

There were bets flying over the internet as to when and where one of these three would end up on the side of the road somewhere between Crossville, Tennessee and Las Vegas, Nevada. I understand there was a lot of wear and tear and frayed nerves but all three made it to Las Vegas.

At least Judy Hines and ex-pres Jim Hash were safe from being the Designated drivers for the week. Everyone would be able to fend for themselves and enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas.

The Opening Ceremony was held in the back of the Riviera Hotel at 0900, Monday Morning. The temperature was already approaching the century mark on the thermometer.
There were the usual guests, dedications, benedictions and photo ops and it was getting hotter and hotter by the minute.

Then back to the cool, air-conditioned hotel lobby where the Highland Scots were doing their rendition of some highly innovative Scottish tunes.

Some of us were going to the luncheon for Mrs. Aaron Bank. Most were heading to the Pent House and the hospitality room and some cool refreshments.

Many of us who were stationed in the 10th Special Forces in Bad Toelz, Germany were honored to attend a luncheon for Mrs Bank at the Veteran's Museum.

This luncheon was in conjunction to the dedication of the Special Forces Room on the second floor of the Veteran's Museum.
There were photos, memorabilia and other items of interest for all Special Forces soldiers.
It is well worth the time to visit this museum if ever you are in the Las Vegas area. There are some really interesting items dating back to the First World War and covers all services.

The really dedicated Special Forces Trooper braved the raising mercury to foray out into the wilds of the Strip . The Riviera was about a mile or so from the newly erected casinos and the sights and sounds of clinking coins and shrill whistles as a lucky soul hit the jackpot filled the air and boggled the mind.

A mile doesn't seem like such a great distance for the well-conditioned body of the Special Forces Trooper, but when the mercury is busting the top of the thermometer and the dry wind sucks the moisture from the body, you sort of get an idea of what the troops are going through in Iraq and Afghanistan...at least from the heat point of view. You know, sans bullets flying and bombs bursting in air.

No, Sofia, you're not dreaming. There is a Brooklyn Bridge in Las Vegas.

If you look really close you just might see Marion peeking out from behind the forward tower. There's also a Statue of Liberty but there were so many people crossing the bridge I couldn't get a decent shot of it.

No, you weren't suddenly transported via the "Beam me up, Scotty" telematter routine and found yourself in Old Paree.
That Eiffel Tower may look imposing but it sure ain't 1,100 + feet high. However, there is a restaurant sitting atop that thing.
Yep, that's me, standing on the bridge crossing the Seine River in good Ole Paree. Actually, it crossed Las Vegas Blvd. Notice the hat on my head, the card draped around my neck and the camera case at my belt? Those are the sure signs of a Special Forces Conventioneer.

Rome wasn't burning while Nero sat on his throne. Now if he was playing the flute or the fiddle then you could surmise that Rome was in flames.

No matter what the time of day or day of week or month of year, that poor slave girl was always kneeling in the pond. Talk about dish-pan hands...

Neptune, on the other hand, was getting ready to spear that unsuspecting tourist with his pitchfork.

This photo didn't come out that good because the glare from this guys bald head reflected into the lens. I told him later that he should try Rogain.
It's true, guys and gals, it's true. Jimmy Dean has stepped down from the Association and is slipping into the sunset of full retirement.
You can't really tell by this photo, but he was given the "Yarbourgh Knife", numerous other certificates and letters of appreciation.
He was also given a watch that was hand-carried to Las Vegas by none other than President Bush's personal representative.
So, not only does Jimmy have a really sharp knife but a Presidential Watch to tell him what time to use the knife.

This was one of the tigers that almost bit his trainers head off a couple of months back. This animal weighs in at about 400 pounds and you can appreciate it when he opens his mouth.

I tried to get a picture of him playing with a rubber ball (the size of a basketball) but there were too many people in front of me. You'll have to take my word that he could latch on to that ball with ease. At the present he seems to be strutting up and down in his realm and enjoying the coolness of a swim in the pool.
Who could blame him with temperatures hitting 108?

This narrative wouldn't be complete without a trip to Old Las Vegas. It's off the Strip and is referred to as Downtown .
If you've watched the "World Poker Championship" tour, then you want to hit the "Horseshoe Casino" on Freemont Street.

You want to live the Freemont Experience at least once in your lifetime. This street, 4-5 blocks at least, is a haven for the walking wounded.
Every hour on the hour, after dark, for five minutes, the lights of the casinos and shops are dimmed and a spectacular light show is flashed overhead. Fish swim in the seas, waves crash along the beach and the aurora borealis, those luminous bands of shimmering lights, move overhead.

And that's it for your tour of Las Vegas. Hope you enjoyed it.

Like I said at the start of this narrative, the Chapter Meeting will be addressed at this point. If you're interested in knowing exactly what we do at these chapter meetings then follow this yellow brick road or if you're only interested in viewing the Rogue's Gallery...