Friday, December 11, 2015

Newsletter revision

Greetings Altair Crew.  I missed a revision to our Altair savings.

FINANCIAL:  The current cash-on-hand is $447.75 and the saving account is $8545.32 bringing the total to $8993.07.

SHIPMATES PASSING:  I was informed of the following shipmates passing:

     Czajak, Thomas E., SN, 1953-1954 (Passed 22 May 2015)
          501 Calhoun St.
          East Syracuse, NY 13057-1825
          jczajak [at] twcny.rr.com

     Head, Thomas A., SK2 1967-1969 (Passed a few days ago)
          2649 Lafayette Avenue
          Bethelem, PA 18017-4025

     Our sincerest condolences to the respective families.  I have sent condolence cards to the families.

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

Friday, December 04, 2015

November 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your 'short' monthly report for November 2015.

ALTAIR SHIPMATES:  We had 3 Shipmates pass away last month.  Please y'all, stay healthy!

FINANCIAL:  The beginning and ending cash on hand is $447.75; the beginning and ending savings is $8068.25 for a grand total of $8516.00.  There was no income or expenses.

All for now.  I hope everyone has a safe, healthy and prosperous Holiday and Christmas season going into the New Year 2016.  

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

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Shipmate Passing

Greetings Altair Shipmates.

I was notified by Shipmate Horodeski's son of the following:

Shipmate William Horodeski, FN, 1957-1958 passed away August 2, 2015.

The Horodeski family can be reached at:

    William Horodeski Family
    28 Hampton Lane
    Willingboro, NJ 08046-1822

Our condolences to the Horodeski family. 

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

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Shipmate passing

Greeting Altair Shipmates.

It is with deep regret that I report the following shipmates passing:

    Diana, Angelo M., BT3, 1959-1962; the Diana family can be reached at:
         122 Grand Place, Kearny, NJ 07032
         Shipmate Diana's Wake will be Monday, November 16, 2015

    Fenwick, Thomas, QM3, 1959-1960; the Fenwick family can be reached at:
         13 Antigua Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753
         Shipmate Fenwick's obituary is at:
         http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/app/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-fenwick&pid=176422264&fhid=10670
         You will be able to sign the Guest Book.  I did from the entire Altair Crew.

I knew both these shipmates fairly well.  It makes me realize..........................

Our sincerest condolences to both the Diana and Fenwick families.

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

Tuesday, November 03, 2015

October 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for October 2015.

Not much news.........The Branson reunion was a 'howling' success and all had a great time.  

FINANCIAL: The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $565.93 with no income and expenses of $118.48 leaving a balance of $447.45.  Expenses were inks, stamps and mailing costs.  The beginning and ending Altair savings balance is $8,068.25 leaving a total Altair cash balance of $8,515.70.  

UP-DATE PLEA:  Each shipmate mailing always results in between 5-10 returns.  The returns are mainly for addressee unknown, recipient address rejected or account not available.  Each month I snail mail an Altair letter to each addressee hoping to get a new email address or find out why the rejection.  Every once in a while, I get a return with a new email or snail mail address.  I snail mail each rejected address 3 months in a row and if no answer, I will remove their email address from the lists.  I do not take them off any other lists and will always have their last known email and snail mail address.  So, PLEASE, if you move to a new address, or get a new email address, please let me know.  We don't want to lose any  shipmate!!

That's all folks.........please do not reply to this email.  For info and questions, please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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

Saturday, October 03, 2015

September 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for September 2015.

ALTAIR SHIPMATES PASSING:  The following Altair Shipmates passed:

    James F. Phlegar, GM1 1960; passing date unknown
    Alfonso Pesiri, FN, 1960; passing date unknown 

FINANCIAL:  No change from last month.  The beginning and ending cash on hand balance is $565.93.  The beginning and ending savings balance is $8,068.25 with a grand total of $8,634.18.

REUNION:  See you in Branson October 11........

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

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

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

August 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is your monthly report for August 2015.

ALTAIR CAPS:  Shipmate Joe Basso still has the great looking Altair caps for sale.  They are $10 each plus shipping.  You can contact Joe at "jomapakg032 [at] verizon.net"

SHIPMATE PASSING:  I received a letter from Mrs. George German saying that Shipmate George R. German, SN, 1961-1963, passed away May 3, 2015.  I sent the family a sympathy card.  The family can be reached at 21 Kings Gate S., Rochester, NY 14617-5412.

NEW ALTAIR SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard:

     Joseph F. Casale, YN3, 1960-1961.  I remember Joe playing boogie-woogie piano at the Altair Locker Room in Barcelona.
          Shipmate Casale lives in Niagara Falls, NY and can be reached at "pianoman39 [at] gmail.com"

     Merle E. Barnes, SN, 1960-1961.  Shipmate Barnes resides in Natural Bridge, NY.  No email.

     William R. Hutter, QMSN, 1955-1956.  Shipmate Hutter resides in Blue Grass, IA; email "wapsibill [at] q.com"

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $331.34 with income of $240.00 from the sale of Altair caps and $5.41 expenses for sympathy cards leaving a balance of $565.93.  The beginning and ending balance of the Altair savings account is $8,068.25 leaving a total cash value of $8,634.18.

REUNION:  Just a little more than a month until the Altair reunion in Branson, MO.  I will see y'all there!  Please contact Dan Douglas for any reunion questions at "ddouglas [at] aol.com"

All for now.....please do not reply to this email!  For comments and questions, please contact me at "cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us"

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

Sunday, August 16, 2015

New and improved photo site.

Greetings Altair Shipmates.

Our photo guru, Dick Braun, has spent the last few days revising the Altair photo album.  The album has a totally different look and feel and the picture quality is a lot better.  Congratulations Dick!  You can send congrats and comments to Dick at "dbraun [at] msbservices.com"

Please visit the album site at https://altair.smugmug.com

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

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Altair Ship's Bell & Plaques

Greetings Altair Shipmates.

Shipmate Dick Braun has uploaded photos of the Altair ships' bell and "Battle Efficiency Competition" plaques for 1961, 64 and 65.  

They can be viewed at the Altair photo site at  http://altair.smugmug.com

Thanks Dick!!!

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

Monday, August 03, 2015

July 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for July 2015.

NEW ALTAIR SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard the new shipmates:

    Fallone, Arthur A., SN, 1959-1960, Chelsea, AL
    Bailey, Ernest R., SN, 1960-1961, Stephenson, VA
    Verdow, Richard L., LCDR, 1960-1962, Sterling, VA
    McCarty, Richard L., LRJG, 1960-1961, Phoenix, AZ

ALTAIR SHIPMATES PASSING:  The following shipmates passed:

    Warren, Gerald F., BT3, 1959-1960; passed 2010
         Shipmate Warren's wife would like to hear from shipmates that
         knew Gerald;  [SandyW88 [at] gmail.com]
    Spaulding, Frank H., LTJG, 1959-1960; passed 2005
    Rozyczaka, Ronald F., EM2, 1957-1960; passed 2009
    Spaits, George F., RM3, 1957-1960, passed 2013
    Lanzone, Paul, BM3, 1963-1964, passed 2015

    Our sincerest condolences to the families.

FINANCIAL:  There was no expenses nor income for July.  The beginning and ending cash-on-hand balance is $331.34.  The beginning and ending savings balance is $8068.25 for a grand total of $8399.59.

REUNION:  The reunion is getting closer!!  Need to get everyone on board!!

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

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

Tuesday, July 07, 2015

Branson Reunion by Dick Stader MMCM USN Retired

"TO: ALL HANDS USS ALTAIR AKS 32
FROM: DICK STADER MMCM USN RET.
SUBJ: USS ALTAIR AKS 32 2015 REUNION

 Greetings shipmates and for those of you who are new to our organization this is my annual reminder to all Hands that the time is drawing near for our reunion and so far the response has not been great and our chairman Dan Douglas is getting concerned as the REUNION ACTIVITY PACKAGE reservation need to be in by 11 August 2015 with a 50 % deposit and final payment due by 15 September 2015. In case you forgot or missed it, we are having the reunion this year in Branson, Missouri at the Grand Plaza Hotel and the cost of the rooms per night is $90.00 plus tax and available 3 days prior to and 3 days after the reunion based on availability. Dan along with Pam Brown of Gatherings Plus,  have a real good Activity package scheduled and as always we will have an enjoyable time in Branson, so come on shipmates get on the ball and get those reservations in, and don't forget to send Dan your $25.00 per person for the hospitalilty room.       
Best regards to all.
Dick Stader"

Sunday, July 05, 2015

June 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for June 2015.

I hope all has a fun and safe July fourth!  It's hard for me to believe that it is already July.....

NEW ALTAIR SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard the following new Altair Shipmates:

    Roger F. Poitras, SK3, 1959; resides in Danielson, CT
    Robert H. Uhler, PN3, 1952-1953.  (I am waiting on address)
    Ronald L. Kalbfleisch, SN, 1957-1959; resides in Dayton, OH
    Richard G. Hofer, FTG2, 1963-1966; resides in MT
    Robert G. Davies, LTJG, 1959-1962, resides in Belle Isle, FL
    Clarence B. Ayscue, Jr., AMH3, 1959; resides in VIrginia Beach, VA
    Jesse W. Caywood, CS3, 1959-1960; resides in Colorado Springs, CO
    Joseph F. Deslauriers, RMSN, 1959-1960; resides in Toms River, NJ
    Thomas J. Fortney, SN, 1959-1961, resides in Virginia Beach, VA
    Hebron H. Johnson, SKC, 1959-1960; resides Camden, SC

ALTAIR SHIPMATES PASSING:

    Edward Miglas, RDSN, 1959-1960; passed 2012
    Willard C. Newlin, HM1, 1959-1960; passed date unknown
    William D. Horton, RMSN, 1959-1961; passed date unknown
    Gerald T. Parnin, LTJG, 1959; passed 2014
    Donald G. Stockford, LTJG, 1959; passed 2010
    Eddy Shears, SH3, 1958-1960; passed 2007
    Max B. White, BM3, 1957; passed 2011
    James A. Vice, CS3, 1956-1957; passed 2011

KUDOS:  Our highest kudos to Bruce Davis for tracking down all this shipmate info!!!!  Bruce did find a shipmate that did NOT want to be listed with the Altair Association.  He shall remain unnamed but served on the  Altair 1959-1960.

FINANCES:  The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $311.34 with $20.00 income in dues and no expenses leaving a balance of $331.34.  The beginning and ending savings balance is $8068.25 leaving a total cash balance of $8399.59.

REUNION:  All new shipmates are sent reunion info via attached email and also via snail mail.  If anyone needs the paperwork, please contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us.

All for now.  Please do NOT reply to this email but contact me for additional info or with questions at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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

Thursday, June 04, 2015

May 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for May 2015.

Finally, after two months of no sun, clouds and rain, and acres of toad stools.........we have clear skies here in east Texas. Yea!

ALTAIR SHIPMATE:  Please welcome aboard Shipmate Layton R. Russell, RM3.  Shipmate Russell was aboard 1956-1957 and resides in Vero Beach, FL. 
WELCOME ABOARD!

ALTAIR SHIPMATES PASSING:  
    Shipmate Thomas F. Sweeney, SH3, 1956-1957 passed away in October  2004.
    Shipmate Norman B. Simpson, FN, 1957 passed away on 24 September 1998 from mesothelioma.

    Our condolences to the respective families.  

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $350.34 with $10.00 income and $49.00 in expenses for postage leaving a balance of $311.34. The beginning and ending savings balance is $8,068.25 giving an overall
balance of $8,379.59.

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

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

Monday, May 04, 2015

April 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for April

FINANCIAL:  With no income or expenses, the beginning and ending balance of cash-on-hand is $350.34.  The beginning and ending savings balance is $8,068.25 for a total cash balance of $8,418.59.

ALTAIR SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard James H. Prows, SN, 1957. Shipmate Prows resides in Cynthiana, KY, is mostly bedridden and would like to hear from any shipmate that remembers him.  His telephone number is 859-234-3538.

Please welcome aboard Ray L. Pfrogner, ET3, 1957-1958. Shipmate Pfrogner resides in Huntington, PA.

Please welcome aboard Wagner L. Pucay, PN3, 1957-1960.  Shipmat Pucay resides in Fresno, CA and is on dialysis.  (I remember shipmate Pucay)

    WELCOME ABOARD TO ALL!

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

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

Friday, April 03, 2015

March 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew.  Here is your monthly report for March 2015.

ALTAIR SHIPMATE:  Please welcome aboard Shipmate Charles J. Omrod.  Shipmate Omrod was a FA aboard in 1957 and resides in Philadelphia, PA. WELCOME ABOARD!

ALTAIR SHIPMATE PASSING:  I was notified that Shipmate Norman McKillip passed away April 9, 2014.  Shipmate McKillip was a SK3 aboard 1961-1962. Our condolences to the McKillip family.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $330.34 and $20.00 income and no expenses leaving a balance of $350.34.  The beginning and ending Altair savings balance is $8,068.25 bringing the total balance of $8,418.59.  

That's all the info I have from March.  Please do not reply to this email.  For any comments or questions please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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

Monday, March 02, 2015

February 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for February 2015.

FINANCIAL:  The beginning cash-on-hand was $277.59 with dues income of $90.00 and expenses of $37.25 leaving a balance of $330.34.  Expenses were costs for the Altair Internet name and the Altair email site.  The beginning and ending balance of the Altair savings account is $8068.25 with the total Altair cash of $8398.59.  

NEW ALTAIR SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard:

    Roger Tweed, ET3, 1959-1961.  Shipmate Tweed resides in Mundelein, IL.

    Alan R. King, RMC, 1961-1963.  Shipmate King resides in Wakefield, NH

ALTAIR SHIPMATES PASSING:  The following Altair shipmates have passed:

    Carl A. Bulgrin, DT3, 1957, Passed 19 May 2007

    Raymond E. Glatz, CWO2, 1957-1959, Passed in 2000

    Willis L. Scoggins, LT, 1957-1958, Passed 28 June 2009

    Robert E. Sullivan, FT1, 1958-1960

    Karol W. Ladka, QMSN, 1953-1955, Passed Dec. 24, 2014

Thanks and kudos to Bruce Davis for the above information!!

NOTES:  See below for information and forms for the upcoming Branson, MO reunion.

WOW, what a winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Even for East Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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

Monday, February 02, 2015

January 2015 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates.  Here is your monthly report for January 2015.

REUNION:  All active shipmates, both by email and snail mail, have been notified of the October 2015 reunion in Branson, MO. 

ALTAIR SHIPMATE LISTS:  The current shipmate email list is 259 active Altair shipmates.  The current snail mail list has 121 shipmates.  This totals 380 ACTIVE, or current active shipmates.  A total of 94 shipmates was purged from the active lists due to "unavailable to contact" either by email or snail mail.  The "Master-Master" lists has approximately 632 shipmates.  This "M-M" list has every shipmate we have ever located, current, lost or passed, etc. with all their information that was available at that time.  If you move, or change email, please let us know so we do not lose contact with you!!!!!

SHIPMATES:  Please welcome aboard Donald L. Treaster, AM1 (1962).  Shipmate Treaster was an  Altair helicopter mechanic and resides in Jacksonville, FL.  WELCOME ABOARD!

Shipmate Alois L. Weaver, FN 1961-1962 passed away in 2006.  Our condolences to the Weaver family.

FINANCES:  The beginning January cash-on-hand balance was $259.08 with dues income of $110.00 and expenses of $91.49 leaving a balance of $277.59.  Expenses were postage, printing and envelopes.  The beginning and ending Altair savings account is $8,068.25.  The total Altair balance
is $8,345.84.

Please DO NOT reply to this email.  Any questions or info please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Best Wishes to All...........Charles

Sunday, January 25, 2015

2015 reunion announcement!

Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is information on REUNION-2015.
The 2015 Altair reunion will be held in Branson, Missouri, October 11-15, 2015. Previously, we held a reunion in Branson and it was a tremendous success; and, I am looking forward to returning as it was a great reunion and Branson loves Veterans!
Below are two documents that you can copy from here to print; one with registration information and the other has the daily schedule of activities. The 'Activity Package' cost and registration form should be mailed  to "Gatherings Plus;" and, making your own hotel reservations at "The Grand Plaza Hotel." Addresses and telephone numbers are on the form.
Cost for the Altair Reception Room, goodies, gifts, trinkets, snacks, drinks, etc. are $25 per person.  Please mail your check to:
     Daniel Douglas
     535 Mail Street
     New Canaan,  CT  06840
Dan can be reached at ddouglas [at] aol.com; or 203-966-1851
Let's all get on this early and not wait until the last moment.  Please contact Dan for additional info or questions.
Best Regards To All.......Charles





Monday, January 05, 2015

December 2014 by Charles Brecheisen

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Lets all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015!

NEW ALTAIR SHIPMATE:  Please welcome aboard shipmate David A. Reinhardt, SK3, 1960-1962.  Shipmate Reinhardt resides in The Villages, Florida.  WELCOME ABOARD!

ALTAIR SHIPMATE PASSING:  It was reported that Shipmate Jerry P. Thurston, MM3, 1965-1967 passed away in 1995.

FINANCES:  The beginning and ending cash-on-hand balance is $259.08.  The beginning and ending savings balance is $8,068.25.  No income and no expenses for a grand total of $8,327.33.

DUES:  Yearly dues are still only $10.  PLEASE......if you send a check, it MUST be made out to Charles M. Brecheisen as my bank will no longer cash checks made out to Altair, etc.  My address is 248 Drifting Cloud, Holly Lake Ranch, TX  75765-6321.  Thanks!! (Cash works too!!)

Please do NOT reply to this email.  For any comments or questions, please us cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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