Atlanta

Due to unforeseen challenges with our original venue, we have had to change the venue location. The reason for this change is that additional college football games have been scheduled on our Army/Navy game date and Sports and Social is not guaranteeing that they will play the audio from our game, nor be able to put it on the big screen. This obviously does not present for a good experience for us. The new venue details are below: When: December 12, 2020 3:00 PM Show up early! Doors open at 12 PM. Primary Viewing Location: North River Tavern 8879 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs, GA 770-552-8784 Note: Due to COVID-19, North River Tavern is practicing social distancing within the venue and taking extra precautions when it comes to sanitization. All COVID-19 measures can be found at this link. Alternate Viewing Location: Peachtree Corners Town Green 5140 Town Center Blvd, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 Note: This is a public venue that will be airing the game on a big screen in an outdoor setting, allowing people to come and go as they please. As an added bonus, Bob Ballagh will be available at halftime to discuss the creation of the Veterans Monument at the park. Attendees can elect to attend local venues to eat/drink on their own accord. Peachtree Corners requires all attendees observe the CDC’s social distancing recommendation (6 feet) and strongly recommends all attendees wear masks. Thank you!

 

Prior to the pandemic:

The 2020 Dark Ages Party was an enjoyable success on February 8th at the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant.

Several Atlanta Chapter Officer positions are in need of volunteers.  If you are interested, please email us:  dba@usnaaaa.com

The Atlanta Chapter luncheon at the Golden Corral was an excellent event, with presentations on the Veterans Empowerment Organization (VEO) and the upcoming Navy football season.

Debbie McKinley, ’95 gave an impressive rundown on the history and success of the VEO, of which she is Board Chair.  She told a touching story of VEO’s origin, sparked by the discovery that two employees of her company were actually homeless veterans.   A comment on the VEO history from its website states, “Since 2008, Veterans Empowerment Organization (VEO) has provided Housing, Supportive Services, Job Training and Placement to over 5,000 homeless veterans and their families.”  Functions of the organization include providing meals and shelter, getting veterans connected with the VA, and helping them get reconnected with their families and friends.  Debbie is very proud of the fact that they have an 87 per cent success rate.  Please look at https://www.veohero.org/p/mission.html

A preview of the upcoming Navy football season was presented by Steve Peters, ’84 and Tom Tarquinio, ’83.  Both Steve and Tom were Navy football players.  They gave us some insight into coaching changes, profiles of key players, and some new strategies for this year.  https://navysports.com/

https://navysports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=629&path=football

The luncheon at the Golden Corral was held Friday, March 15.  President DJ told the first story, about a drug bust in the Pacific.  Several other members followed, with topics including an aircraft carrier with a runaway rudder, intricate submarine mishaps, and a narrow escape involving Admiral Zumwalt.  The concept was quite successful and will probably be used again in the future.  It gave us all some insight into each other’s careers, and it was a lot of fun.  The Golden Corral continues to be a good venue with high quality food at low cost.

Do you know if your dues are up to date?  If not, please email:     treasurer@usnaaaa.com

Our annual Dark Ages Party at the 57^th Fighter Group Restaurant, February 9th was well attended.  The restaurant did a superb job, and everyone had a good time.  A large crowd of civilian types even younger than us were on the dance floor, and we joined them.  Pete Knoetgen, ’77 has our thanks, again, for his superb planning and execution.

Atlanta Chapter’s Monthly luncheon was held on Friday, May 18th at Taco Mac (The Prado at Sandy Springs – 5600 Roswell Rd Ste M003, Sandy Springs GA 30342)  Approximately 40 members and wives attended.

Registration and pre-lunch social began at 11:30 am and lunch was served at 11:45 a.m.

Doug Norton, ’65, was the guest speaker.  Doug gave a fascinating and informative talk about his two books, Code Word: Paternity, and Code Word: Pandora.

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