Friday, December 05, 2014

November 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.  Here is your monthly report for November 2014.

My apologies for not sending the monthly report for October.  I was a bit under the weather.

REUNION:  Congratulations to reunion chairman Richie Reiss for a successful reunion in Las Vegas.  The reunion was a success although the attendance was a little lower than previous reunions.

SHIPMATE:  Please welcome aboard new Shipmate John J. Evans, RM3 1963. Shipmate Evans resides in Knoxville, TN

FINANCIAL:  The beginning and ending cash-on-hand balance is $259.08.  The beginning savings balance was $7099.61 with reunion income of $968.64 leaving a balance of $8068.25.  The total Altair cash-on-hand and savings is $8327.33.  

Please to not reply to this email.  Any questions or comments please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

I hope each and all have a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday Season and a very Happy and Prosperous 2015.  

Best Regards To All..............Charles

Monday, November 10, 2014

Reunions: Las Vegas and next year by Dick Stader

To all hands USS Altair Association, Shipmates I have a few items that I want all hands to be aware of and to act upon in the very near future and that is the status of our Reunion both the one we just had in Las Vegas and the next years if and when we decide to have one. I say this because the reunion we just had in Vegas was not very well attended and putting on the reunion is a big job and if we can't seem to generate enough interest in coming to the reunion, then whats the point in going to all the time and trouble of doing it. I will say this, that this years reunion was a good one and every one that attended had a great time and we all want to have another one next year but we need your support and input to make it a success. 

At the meeting held during the reunion the following places were suggested, Branson Mo. Norfolk Va. Savanna Ga. Nashville Tn. somewhere in the north east like New York City Maine and I think that was about it. Since we got back home I have heard from Jim Brayden  about Savanna Ga. that he is looking into and also from Pam Brown who took care of us in 2009 in Branson and since then Dan Douglas has been in contact with Pam about several places that sound interesting to Dan and myself such as Providence RI. and  or Newport RI. In any case WE NEED YOUR INPUT AND YOUR HELP WITH OUR NEXT REUNION, IF THERE IS TO BE A NEXT ONE,NOW!!!!, so come on shipmates let me know what you want to do and where and myself and the rest of the board members will make a choice based on what you tell us. E-mail me at dickandterry5@sbcglobal.net or call me at 262-654-9202 any time and if I am not home leave me a message.   

Thank You to all   Dick Stader     

Monday, October 06, 2014

September 2014 by Charles M. Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew. Here is your monthly report for September 2014.
 
FINANCIAL:  The beginning September cash-on-hand was $262.81 with income of $15.00 and expenses of $18.73 leaving a balance of $259.08.  The beginning and ending Altair savings account balance is $7099.61 leaving a total balance of $7358.69.  Expenses was shipping two Altair plaques to Las Vegas.
 
REUNION:  The Altair Las Vegas reunion begins October 14.  I cannot be there but hope all the attendees have a great time!
 
SHIPMATE:  Please welcome aboard John J. Evans, RM3, 1963.  Shipmate Evans resides in Knoxville, TN.  WELCOME ABOARD!
 
That's all for now.  Please do not reply to this email and send any comments or questions, to me at cmbaltairaks32 [at]fastmail.us
 
Best Regards To All.............Charles
 
--
Charles M. Brecheisen

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Email from Dave Schultz

I don't usually do this, but thought the shipmates might find this email interesting. It is from Dave Schultz at HullNumber.com and he has located several articles our "E" commendation in 1961 and our service in the Missile Crises. Email follows:

To: Dick Braun 

----- 

US Navy - HullNumber.com Fall 2014 Newsletter 

----- 

ALL HANDS MAIN INDEX - 1000+ New Articles Posted 

Example:  Way Back When: The Evolution of Nautical Terms 

Click on:  http://www.hullnumber.com/ALL-HANDS/way-back-when-the-evolution-of-nautical-terms 

To view ALL posted ALL HANDS Articles by category, click on: 

http://www.hullnumber.com/all-hands-index.php  

The ALL HANDS project was started in 2012.  Extracting 75 years of articles,
categorizing them, and building and refining the code to make them available
is a big job.  I foresee posting 1000 articles with each Spring and Fall
Newsletter over the next couple of years. 

Much, much, much more ALL HANDS to come! 

----- 

1600+ Ship and Sub RIGHT SHOULDER ROCKERS for RATING Shirts 

Please consider supporting HullNumber.com by making a purchase for
yourself or as a gift for a shipmate: 

To view the NAVY RATING SHIRT with: 

Rocker = U.S.S. ALTAIR   

Rating = SIGNALMAN 

Click on: http://www.hullnumber.com/NAVY-RATING-SHIRT.php?rating=SM&hn=AKS-32 

----- 

LINKS TO YOUR COMMAND ROSTER PAGE(S) ARE:
---

http://www.HullNumber.com/AKS-32 

--- 

God bless and protect our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines as we
again face a determined and ruthless enemy.

My best wishes to you and yours for the oncoming Holiday Season, 

Dave Schultz - Web PO

Thursday, September 04, 2014

August 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

Greeting Altair Shipmates.  Here is your report for August 2014.

SHIPMATE SEARCH:  There are only 260 shipmates on the email list, down from about previous 370-380. Several weeks ago I re-sent out the last batch of snail mail letters as a last attempt trying to track down non-response shipmates.  All but a few have been returned to me as unknown, etc.  There are approximately 115 shipmates without email that are snail mailed.  I will be making adjustments to my record keeping to delete non-response from my current records.  I will still maintain a "Master" list that will show everyone that has been on the shipmate list with all their info; (includes deceased shipmates).  

DECEASED SHIPMATES:  Mrs. Pauline Daily notified me that BTC Ralph E. Daily, 1953-1956 had passed away in September 2007.  We were notified that SK3 Sampson Benjamin Feyl, 1962-1965 passed away December 2009. Our condolences to the respective families.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning Cash-on-hand balance was $811.81.  I transferred $500.00 to the Altair Savings Account and bought stamps for $49 leaving a balance of $262.81.  The beginning Altair Savings Account was $6599.61 plus the addition of $500.00 leaving a balance of $7099.61.

REUNION:  The reunion is just a few shorts weeks away.  Please contact RIchie Reiss with any questions.  Richie can be contacted at 2649 Hour Glass Dr., Henderson, NV 89052 and at 702-407-0626 and at RJR940 [at] aol.com

All for now.  Please do not reply to this email.  For comments and questions, please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Regards To All...........Charles

Saturday, August 09, 2014

Reunion update by Dick Stader

To all USS Altair AKS 32 Shipmates. I along with all other board members and our reunion chairman Richie Reiss are asking all of you out there to give some serious thought to coming to this years reunion and to DO IT NOW so Richie can get all the planning finished and insure that we have a really good turn out in Vegas and enjoy the comradeship of all our shipmates as we have in past years. We really do have an excellent time at our reunion and everyone goes home with lots of good memories and perhaps even a few NEW SEA STORIES.Shipmates we need your help on this as of this date 4 Aug. we only have 22 people(not Shipmates) signed up and we need more than that to get out best deals at the hotel/casino and to make it a successful reunion and times a wasting. Remember that as chairman Richie has put in lots of time and energy to get this reunion going is doing a great job for us so lets show him that we call fill all the rooms this year and really have one of the best reunions of our reunion history. I and all the board members are counting on all of you out there to get this reunion Underway. Thanks to all Dick Stader MMCM USN Ret. PS Don't forget to bring an AUCTION Item
--

July 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

Good grief.........it's AUGUST already!

NEW SHIPMATE:  Please welcome Harold R. Newman, SA, 1967-1968 aboard.   Shipmate Newman resides in Centreville, Mississippi.  WELCOME ABOARD!

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand was $791.81 with dues income of $20.00 and no expenses leaving a balance of $811.81.  The beginning and ending Altair Savings balance is $6599.61 leaving a total Altair cash balance of $7411.42.  

REUNION:  PLEASE, if you plan to attend the Altair Las Vegas reunion PLEASE make your hotel reservations!  If you need any additional information, please contact Richie Reiss at rjr940 [at] aol.com or phone 702-407-0626.  

As usual, please do NOT respond to this email.  For comments, etc. please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Regards To All...........Charles

Saturday, July 12, 2014

2014 Reunion Chairman Richie Reiss

Attention all shipmates:  theres only 13 more weeks until our reunion begins.  I know it seems like a long time, but the days are closing fast.  A lot of time is needed for the planning and booking of events. 


As of today I've only received 4 application forms in the mail and only nine rooms have been reserved at Arizona Charlies.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send in your forms and book your rooms the number for Arizona Charlies is 1-800-342-2695 reference C-AKS32.  The rates are $44.80 w/tax and the dates cover Oct. 12 thru 16.  Looking forward to see all of you in
October.  

Best Regards, Richie   RJR940 [at] aol.com  1-702-407-0626

Saturday, July 05, 2014

June 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for June 2014.

I hope every Shipmate and their family had a safe and happy Fourth of July!

FINANCIAL:  The beginning and ending cash-on-hand is $791.81.  The beginning and ending Altair Savings is $6599.61 for an overall cash balance of $7391.42.  No income nor any expenses.

SOCIAL MEDIA:  I must make a comment or two about the Internets' social media, i.e. Facebook.  Due to an unfortunate situation here at Holly Lake Ranch, I was forced to join a group of residents who are in conflict with our Board of Directors.  The Holly Lake Ranch BOD seems to have the attitude that they are there "of the few, by the few and for the few."  So, we, a majority of the residents, have a Facebook group fighting them.  As soon as this battle is either over or lost, I will get the heck out of Facebook.  I know there are quite a few shipmates who are wondering why I do not respond............but I won't and will be quitting Facebook soon as soon as I can.

REUNION:  PLEASE, if you plan to attend the reunion in Las Vegas this year, PLEASE make your reservations!  For questions or additional information, please contact Richie Reiss at rjr940 [at] aol.com or phone 702-407-0626.

SHIPMATE PASSING:  I was notified that Frank R. Higgins, FN, 1953-1956 had passed away in 2010.  Our condolences to the Higgins family

SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard John E. Proch, YN1, 1961 - 1962.  Shipmate Proch resides in North Fort Myers, FL.  Also, please welcome aboard Roger L. Pauls, SA, 1961 - 1963; Shipmate Pauls resides in Sun City, AZ.

All for now.  For any comments or questions, please contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Wishes To All............Charles

Thursday, June 05, 2014

May 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.  Here is your monthly report for May 2014.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand was $771.81 with $20.00 income from dues and no expenses leaving a balance of $791.81.  The beginning and ending Altair savings account is $6,599.61.  The total Altair cash-on-hand is $7,391.42.  

SHIPMATES:  I had an email from MCPO George Wall who had two bothers that served on the Altair.  Edgar Waller, Jr. (deceased in 2000) was an EN3 1959-1960.  His brother Earl Waller was a FA aboard the Altair in 1960 and is in poor health.  I am trying to track down Earl's address and info.

D-DAY:  Tomorrow is June 6th.  Seventy years ago, over 9000 American soldiers died on the French beachs.  We should all say a prayer for those who gave their lives.

REUNION:  Richie Riess still needs for all that will be attending, or think they will be attending the reunion in Las Vegas to make their hotel reservation NOW!  Please!  (Note to Richie:  I will too)  If you need any additional info about the reunion, please contact Richie and rjr940 [at] aol.com or 702-407-0626.

Please do not respond to this email; for questions or additional info please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Regards To All...........Charles


-- 
 Charles M. Brecheisen
 cmbussaltairaks32@fastmail.us

Thursday, May 08, 2014

April 2014 by Charles M. Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your report for April 2014.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $898.46 with no income and $126.65 in expenses leaving a balance of $771.81.  The expense was for the Altair web site yearly fee.  The beginning and ending Altair savings account balance is $6599.61.  The total Altair cash-on-hand balance is $7371.42.

SHIPMATES:  Please........Please........if  you move, or change your email address, please notify me, the website......anyone!  There are over 100 shipmates that have moved, deceased, or just don't care about the Altair/Shipmates anymore,  that I have lost track of.  I have eliminated the Altair Website emailing list as it does not give a return on bad addresses.  I will spend the month of May trying to track down any lost "Shipmates" before eliminating them from the current list.  But, they will always remain on another up-to-date reference list.

REUNION:  Richie Reiss, the Chairman for the upcoming Altair Reunion in Las Vegas requests that if you plan to attend the reunion, to please notify him ASAP.  You do NOT have to send your money now.  Richie just needs a head count.  Richie can be reached at rjr940 [at] aol.com or via telephone 702-407-0626.

Does anyone know who or how to contact the government about getting earned but never received medals?  Like from the Korean or Viet Nam Wars.  Please send me an email with any info.

All for now.........please do not reply to this email.  For comments or additional info please email me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Wishes To All..........Charles

Thursday, April 03, 2014

March 2014 by Charles M. Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for March 2014.

SUMMER:  Summer has already arrived here in east Texas as I have already picked of more than 9 attached ticks.  Too many deer.

ALTAIR SHIPMATE PASSING:  I had forgotten that Dave Poland had passed away and send their family reunion information.  My sincerest apologies. James J. Condict, SK2, 1953-1955, passed away on an unknown date.  Our sincerest condolences to the Condict family.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning March balance was $868.46 with income of $30.00 in dues and no expenses leaving a balance of $898.46.  The beginning and ending savings account is $6599.61.  The total Altair account is $7498.07.

REUNION:  I know there is lots of time before the next Altair reunion........but, not one shipmate has signed up yet!  Yes, it's early.......but......  Come on guys, get your info to Richie.  PLEASE do not wait until the last minute.  Richie Reiss can be reached at RJR940 [at] aol.com or mailed at 2649 Hour Glass Drive, Henderson, NV 89052.  

Please DO NOT respond to this email.  Comments and questions should be sent to cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Regards To All.......Charles

Monday, March 03, 2014

February 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.  Here is your monthly report for February 2014.

I am again using the new Altair Emailing address as the old one no longer worked.  The old email list was about 350 shipmates with another 140 shipmates getting snail mail.  Of the 350 Emailable shipmates, about 110 addresses were kicked back to me as bad or non deliverable.  I snail mailed the undeliverable email addresses asking for a new Email address or snail mail address and have received about 10 responses and will try and track down the others using the Internet and phone calls.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning February Cash-in-hand balance was $1040.00 with income of $10 and expenses of $181.54 leaving a balance of $868.46.  Expenses were postage, envelopes, printing and labels.  The beginning and ending savings balance $6559.61 with no changes.  The total Altair cash is $7468.07.  

NEW SHIPMATE:  Please welcome aboard Shipmate Raymond C. Fogle, FN, 1962-1964.  Shipmate Fogle resides in Henderson, NV.  WELCOME ABOARD!

SHIPMATES PASSING:  I am sorry to report the following Altair shipmates passing:
    Morganelli, Arthur W., SA; 1961-1663
    Hill, Richard E.  LT; 1966-1968
    Latorra, Donald, SK1; 1956-1959
    Noonan, Tom, MA1; 1960-1962
    Rust, Jere, SK3; 1963-1965

If any shipmate need reunion material and forms, please send me an email at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

As usual, please DO NOT reply to this email.  For comments and questions, please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Stay Warm!!

Best Regards To All...............Charles

Sunday, February 02, 2014

January 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.  Here is your monthly report for January 2014.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $840.00 with $200.00 income from dues and no expenses giving a balance of $1,040.00.  The beginning balance in the checking account was $6,599.61 with no income or any expenses leaving a balance of $6,599.61.  Total Altair cash balance is $7,639.61.

NEW SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard the following new shipmates:

     Thomas Retzlaff, RD3, 1960-1962, Webster, NY
     Ernesto M. Ledesma, SK4, 1961-1962, Eagle, ID
     Joseph R. Crayford, FA(BT), 1960-1962, Sylvania, OH

     WELCOME ABOARD!

SHIPMATES LOCATION:  I have always found it interesting where all the Altair shipmates are now living.  I show a total of 494 active shipmates of which only 343 have email.  My state list shows 492 as a couple of shipmates do not want to be located.  FYI, here is the state list:

AL-4, AR-2, AZ-7, CA-22, CO-3, CT-12, DC-1, DE-2, FL-50, GA-14, IA-4,     ID-1, IL-15, IN-13, KS-2, KY-1, LA-3, MA-14, MD-13, ME-4, MI-16, MN-4, MO-4, MS-7, MT-1, NC-16, ND-1, NE-2, NH-8, NJ-17, NV-6, NY-32, OH-22, OK-2, OR-3, PA-48, PR-1, RI-1, SC-9, TN-14, TX-16, UT-2, VA-45, WA-8, WI-13, WV-6 and one shipmate in New Zealand.

REUNION:  Work is progressing on the next Altair reunion in Las Vegas.  A down payment has been made and all info will be forwarded when available.

All for now.  As usual please do NOT reply to this email as it will be automatically deleted.  Please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us for any questions or comments.

Best Regards To All......Charles

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Altair Microfilm Reels

Greetings Altair Shipmates.

When the Altair web site was started about 13-14 years ago, we needed to track down Altair Shipmates for each year.  From the National Archives and Records Administration I purchased ship records for each year the Altair was registered as a Navy ship.  The records were kept on a Microfilm reel and seem to include many other supply ships, AKs,  
AOs, AEs, etc.  The records mainly included daily/weekly and monthly lists of all the current aboard shipmates.  From these microfilm lists, I was able to generate, for each year, all the names/ranks/etc. of the crew.  Then, I searched for each shipmates addresses in the country and sent them form letters.  We still have almost 500 current shipmates!!!!!!!!

I still have the following years available if you would like me to send you the microfilm.  Luckily, I found a PRINTING MICROFILM READER at a local hospital library and was able to print out hundreds of sheets of names.

The available years are:  1952, 1954, 1955-1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.  You will note that 1960 and 1961 are missing.  Those years were taken by shipmates at the Branson Reunion and never returned.  YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TOO........PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS OTHER SHIPMATES MAY WANT THOSE YEARS!!  Thanks!!!

I will send you a year, but you must promise to forward it to another shipmate or return it to me when finished.  These records sure make for interesting reading and bring up lots of memories.

Please DO NOT reply to this email as it will be automatically deleted.  
 Contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Regards To All.........Charles

Friday, January 10, 2014

December 2013 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.  Here is your monthly report for December 2013.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Let's all have a Happy and a very Healthy 2014.

FINANCIAL: The beginning December cash-in-hand balance was $807.00 with dues income of $130.00 and expenses of $97.00 leaving a balance of $840.00.  The expense was a multi-year access to military shipmates.  It has already paid off as Shipmate Davis has already located two new shipmates (see below).  The beginning Altair "Savings"  account was $7,137.61 with no income and expenses of $538.00 leaving a balance of $6,599.61.  The expenses were $238.00 refund to Charles Brecheisen (Could not attend reunion) and a $300.00 down payment for our Las Vegas reunion in 2014.  More details to follow when available.  Total Altair cash is $7,439.61.

NEW SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard Morris Ray Anderson, SN, 1959-1961; and, Joseph P. Caravello, RDSN, 1961-1962.  Shipmate Caravello resides in Saint Joseph, Michigan.

REMINDER:  Dues for 2014 are only $10 (Ten Bucks)......a heckuva deal!  Please make checks out only to Charles M. Brecheisen, 248 Drifting Cloud, Holly Lake Ranch,  TX  75765.  Checks NOT made out to Charles M. Brecheisen will be returned as my bank refuses to cash checks made out the the Altair, etc.

All for now.  Please do not reply to this email as it will be automatically deleted.  Any comments or questions should be directed to cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Regards To All..........Charles