American Victory (Altair's Sister ship) Behind us Was the Holland line Dutch Liner.

Greetings Altair Crew.  Size comparison between a Victory Ship and an ocean liner.

"Two Sundays ago we left Tampa on a Norwegian Cruise liner." The Star."

We passed the American Victory (Altair's Sister ship) Behind us Was the Holland line Dutch Liner. When they were side by side, I snapped this photo.

Altair seemed so big when we were on it. See how she compares to the Cruise Liner. Just thought it was interesting. We were gone a week . got back last Sunday.

Hope to see you all at the reunion.

Bob and Nita Delaney"

February 2012 by Charles Brecheisen

SHIPMATES PASSING: We lost two shipmates.

Dick Von Alt, MA3, 1964-65, Lakewood, OH passed in 2010.

Melvin D. Davis, BM2, 1963-66, Cameron, MO passed in 2011.

Our condolences to the Von Alt and Davis families.

FINANCIAL: The beginning February cash-in-hand balance was $1730.76 with dues income of $110.00 and expenses of $153.07 leaving a balance of $1687.69. Expenses were stamps, envelops, reunion brochures printing and labels. The beginning and ending savings balance was $5860.39. The total cash balance is $7548.08.

The crazy Texas weather has us using air conditioning during the day and turning on the heat at night. Not very healthy.

We pray that all the Altair shipmates and their families are safe during the outburst of bad weather.

All for now. Please try and keep me up to date with any email or physical address changes.

Please do not reply to this email as it will be automatically deleted.

For comments or info please use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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

January 2012 by Charles Brecheisen

ALTAIR SHIPMATES: I show 490 shipmates on the master crew list.

Approximately 150 do not have email capability and will be direct mailed with reunion information.

ALTAIR SHIPMATES PASSING: The below Altair shipmates have passed:

(Thanks to Bruce Davis for the information)

Buch-Brage, Fernando, MM3, 1961-1963; passed 2004

McKee, Augustus B.; HM1, 1956-1957; passed 2001

DUES: I received checks from 29 shipmates! Thanks!! Dues are only $10 per year and sent to me.

Charles Brecheisen

248 Drifting Cloud

Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765

FINANCIAL: The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $1380.76 with dues income of $350.00 and no expenses leaving a balance of $1730.76. The beginning savings account balance was $5860.39 with no income or expenses leaving a balance of $5860.39. The total cash balance is $7591.15. I will be moving quite a bit of the cash-on-hand dollars to the Altair savings account.

MISC: The Neurologist specialist that Lillie and I visited in Houston diagnosed her with "Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD)" for which there is no treatment or cure. Probably caused by Parkinson's Disease and will continue to get worse.

All for now. Please direct any comments or questions to:

cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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

December 2011 by Charles Brecheisen

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope all our Altair Shipmates and families have a happy, prosperous and a healthy 2012.

ADDRESSES: If you are going to change home addresses or will be changing email addresses, PLEASE let me know! It is important that we keep our shipmate files current.

SHIPMATE PASSING: Robert Dombrowski, BT3, 1961-1963 passed away late in November. Our condolences to the Dombrowski family.

NEW SHIPMATE: Please welcome aboard new Shipmate Philip K. McDanel, BT3, 1955-1956. Shipmate McDanel resides in Lititz, PA. WELCOME ABOARD!!

FINANCIAL: The beginning December cash-on-hand balance was $1370.76 with dues income of $10.00 leaving a balance of $1380.76. The Altair savings account beginning and ending balance is $5860.39 leaving a grand total balance of $7241.15.

DUES: Yes, it dues time once again! Yearly dues are $10 with the check made out and sent to:

Charles Brecheisen, 248 Drifting Cloud, Holly Lake Ranch, TX 75765-6321

Thanks and Best Wishes To All..........Charles

Shipmate Passing

Greetings Altair Crew. Here is info from Shipmate Bob Delaney about the passing of Shipmate Robert Dombrowski.

"Hi I just learned about Robert Dombrowski's passing away..

I was notified of it by his Daughter in law Leah Dombrowski.

He died from misothelioma. Bob was a Boiler Tender (snipe) in 61 to 63 as I recall. He liked Barcelona and Naples a lot.

I don't know the exact date but its been about a month ago.

If you can pass it along to the guys I'd be greatful.

Thanks Bob Delaney"

Shipmate Dombrowski's family can be reached at:

Robert Dombrowski Family

511 Howland Avenue

Toledo, OH 43605

Our condolences to the Dombrowski family.

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

Greetings Altair Crew. Here is a ?Special Altair Report?

Reunion Chairman John B. Thomas, citing ?personal reasons? has resigned as reunion chairman. Our next reunion is in October 2012 in Tampa, Florida; and, the following year in New Orleans. We need a shipmate(s) to step up and take over the 2012 Tampa reunion; and, the 2013 New Orleans reunion. Please contact myself or Tom Planes at ?tomplanes [at] windstream.net?

It has come to my attention that we need a more formal and current leadership team for the Altair Association. When this all began about 10 years ago, a board was ?formed? consisting 6 (six) shipmates to help with the direction of the group, reunions, dues, membership, expenses, etc. These six shipmates were the first original shipmates found! I now have 486 shipmates on my mail list of which about 145 do not have email access. IT IS TIME FOR A NEW BOARD! Please email me with YOUR nominations for the Altair Board. You can list yourself, any one member, or several shipmates that you would like to see on the board. I will tally names and put out a list to select five shipmates; I will also snail mail the non-email shipmates for their votes including ?write-in? votes. It seems the only fair way to get a new board and a new direction for our Association.

The Altair Association has been very fortunate with Martin Summann taking over the Altair web site; and Dick Braun handling the Altair Blog and Photograph sites. Great job guys!

A fairly quick response is needed to both the items (1) the 2012 Tampa reunion leadership; and, (2) nominees to the new Altair board. PLEASE RESP0ND QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

Please DO NOT reply to this email. Use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us or Tom Planes email address.

Best Regards To All????.Charles

October 2011 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew. Here is your monthly report for October 2011.

SHIPMATE PASSING: We lost Shipmate Mike Bruskotter a few weeks ago. Mike was a SK3 aboard the Altair 1963-1966. Mike's son has sent me quite a few Altair photographs which are being forwarded to Shipmate Dick Braun for uploading to the Altair photograph web site. Our condolences to the Bruskotter family.

FINANCIAL: The beginning "on hand" cash balance was $1370.76 with no income or expenses leaving a balance of $1370.66. The beginning savings balance was $5176.73 with interest income of $3.66, dues income of $20.00 and reunion auction income of $660.00 totaling $5860.39. No expenses.

ALTAIR REUNION: According to the reports, the reunion was a success.
The White House tour was fantastic..........Annapolis was great. Etc. etc. etc.

However, some of the other Shipmate comments were:

We need an earlier and better hospitality room for early arrivals.

Where were all the goodies? Early shipmates only got peanuts.

All the goodies disappeared and none were available for the shipmates that stayed over for a day or two.

Accounting figures? Since not many goodies any $'s return?

(John will be supplying me with all the receipts, returns, etc. which I will publish)

ALTAIR REUNION MIAMI 2012: I will be sending out information shortly about the Victory Ship "American Victory" which is located in Miami.
Stay tuned......

All for now. Please contact me at cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail with any comments or questions.

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

2012 reunion update

Greetings Altair Crew. Here is information about the Victory Ship "American Victory" located in Tampa, FL, site of our 2012 reunion.
This info courtesy of Tom Planes.

"I called the Captain of the American Victory in Tampa. He got pumped when I told him that our 2012 reunion was going to be centered around his ship. If we get commitment early enough and get enough committed to come we can do a dinner cruise complete with ship drills and aerial battles I don't think we can start too soon promoting this reunion. I would like for it to be bigger than any before. There are lots of things to do in Tampa the aquarium is next door to the ship and Ybor city offers the finest Spanish cuisine this side of Barcelona. Setting up the accommodations early and sending out monthly reports with keep the hype up."

Thanks for the info Tom. This really sounds exciting!

Their web site is http://www.americanvictory.org

Shipmate Passing

To whom it may concern,

My father, Mike Bruskotter, died a few weeks ago. He spoke of his time in the Navy often - he loved the "Altair".

Sincerely,

Mick Bruskotter

Pratt & Whitney
Part Family Manager
North Berwick Engineering Center - Turbines BOAS & LPT Vanes

phone: 207-676-4227
technet: 8-426-4227
e-fax: 860-755-0875
m/s: 801-27"

Mike Bruskotter was a SK3 aboard the Altair 1963-1966. His family can be reached at:

Mike Bruskotter Family
2825 3rd. Avenue North
Great Falls, MT 59401
406-453-6860
(mikeb [@] montanafcu.org)

Our deepest sympathy is sent to the Bruskotter family. His son Mick can be reached at michael.bruskotter [at] pw.utc.com

Best Regards To All......charles

Baltimore Reunion by John Thomas

I hope everyone returned home safe and sound.

First of all, let me say "Thank You" to all the shipmates and their wives who attended the reunion, and to those who planned to attend but had circumstances occur that prevented them from going.

We had a great turnout with several who had never attended before. We had shipmates from as far away as Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. Hopefully everyone enjoyed it enough to attend again next year.

Before I forget, let me give a special thanks to shipmate Joe Basso who made contact and helped with the follow up for out trip to the White House. Thanks, Joe.

For those who could not attend, I will give you a little overview. The reunion was kicked off on Thursday evening with a reception to meet and greet everyone.

Our trip to Washington and the White House began at 7 AM Friday morning. Our guide who was very knowledgeable of Washington made it very informative and interesting. While there we enjoyed a riding tour of Washington and dinner at a seafood restaurant. We arrived back at the hotel at 7:30 PM.

On Saturday we went to Annapolis and toured the campus. It was homecoming so there was quite a bit of activity on campus and around town. Sorry to say that Navy lost to East Carolina. Everyone enjoyed browsing the shops and having lunch. We returned to the hotel at 3 PM to get prepared for the banquet and auction.

After the banquet we adjourned to the hospitality room for fellowship and our yearly auction. We made $660 from the sale of items donated by shipmates.

On Sunday we were sad to say our goodbyes but happy for the memories we had of the reunion and old friends.

Have a safe and blessed year and hope to see everyone in Tampa in 2012.
John B."

October 2011 by Charles Brecheisen

September 2011 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Crew. Here is your monthly report for September 2011.

ALTAIR REUNION: The Altair reunion is almost here! (October 20-23) Please contact the reunion chairman with any questions.

John B. Thomas, Jr.
2632 Oakleaf Circle
Bessemer, AL 35022-7227
205-426-8739
broadusthomas [at] bellsouth.net

FINANCIAL: The beginning and ending cash-on-hand balance is $1370.76; no income or expenses. The beginning and ending saving balance is $5176.73; no income or expenses. The overall cash balance is $6547.49.

SHIPMATES: Welcome back Shipmate Robert J. Morande, SK2, 1961-63; Berlin, CT

That's all for now. Hope everyone has a wonderful time at the reunion!

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

August 2011 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is your monthly report for August 2011.

I hope all Shipmates survived hurricane Irene with minimal damage. That was a bad 'un. Especially from a rain standpoint.

FINANCIAL: The beginning cash-on-hand balance was $1418.76 with no income and $48.00 expenses leaving a balance of $1370.76. I renewed the Altair website name for 3 years at $16.00 per year. The beginning savings balance was $5176.73 with no income or expenses leaving a balance of $5176.73. The total cash balance is $6547.49.

NEW SHIPMATE: Back in 2004 when I was sending out letters seeking Altair shipmates, David A. Touhey, SA, received the letter and promptly misplaced it. Well, believe it or not, he found the letter last week, 7 years later! Shipmate Touhey made a career out of the Navy and retired a QMC. WELCOME ABOARD SHIPMATE TOUHEY! Shipmate Touhey resides in Kingston, NH.

That's all from this end. We are still having 100 plus degree days every day and no rain.

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

Roe Karstetter's wife passing!

It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of Barbara Karstetter, beloved wife of Shipmate Roe Karstetter. Lillie and I first met Barbara and Roe at the first Altair reunion in Norfolk, VA and always looked forward to their company at later reunions.

All the Altair Shipmates send their sincerest condolences and sympathy to the Karstetter family. Roe can be reached at USNROE [at] gulftel.com; or,

Roe Karstetter
P.O. Box 1271
Robertsdale, AL 36567
251.960.1504

July 2011 by Charles Brecheisen

Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is your monthly report for July 2011.

FINANCIAL: The beginning on-hand cash balance was $1418.76 with no income or expenses leaving an on-hand balance of $1418.76. The beginning savings balance was $5172.27 with $4.46 interest and no expenses leaving a savings balance of $5176.73. Total cash balance $6595.49.

RAIN: What is rain? Zero point 6 (0.6) inches of rain for all of July. All our beautiful dogwoods trees have died along with other oaks and pines. The temperature right now at 3:15PM is 106 with a THI of 116 registering on my weather system........more of the same for the rest of the week and NO RELIEF IN SIGHT. The fire danger is unbelievable. TS Dan hit around Brownsville way south of us. Maybe
Emily will get into the gulf and head our way.

That's all folks! Any comments go to cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

Please do not reply to this email.

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

Shipmate Angelo Diana info

UPDATE 4 Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is the latest information concerning Shipmate Angelo Diana courtesy of Shipmate Joe Basso:

"Charles can you please pass along the following information, Angelo Diana is HOME and would like to Thank All for their Prayers, also he is feeling just fine, Angelo also requests Please Do Not Send Any EMails till further notice. Thank You Joe."

Please do not reply to this email. Use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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


UPDATE 3 Greetings Altair Crew.

Joe Basso reports that Angelo Diana is recovering nicely from heart bypass surgery and should be able to go home this coming Monday or Tuesday.

Dick Braun sent me info on a neat Navy related website at Hullnumber.com. Check it out.

Still very hot (over 22 plus consecutive days over 100 degrees)here in E. TX and still with no rain the past two months; and; none in sight. The entire state still in 'burn ban' status.

Best Regards to All.......Charles


UPDATE 2: Greetings Altair Shipmates. Here is the latest update on Shipmate Angelo Diana courtesy of Shipmate Joe Basso:


"I just talked to Shipmate Angelo Diana and is still in the Hospital and is in Good Spirits. He wishes to Thank all of the Altair Shipmates for keeping Him in their Prayers. Thank You Shipmate Joe Basso."

Thank you Joe!!

Please do not reply to this email. use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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


UPDATE: Greetings Altair Crew. Here is additional info from Joe Basso concerning Shipmate Angelo Diana's bypass surgery:

" Shipmate Angelo Diana had Quadruple By-Pass Operation Today and MRS Diana informed Me that all went well and Angelo is Resting Comfortably at this time, I will be calling Mrs Diana about Wednesday to find how Angelo is doing. I will keep you informed on Angelo's condition. Joe"

Thanks Joe!!

Best Regards To All......charles

Please do not reply to this email. use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us


Greetings Altair Shipmates. Shipmate Joe Basso sent me this information concerning Shipmate Angelo Diana:

"Charles: Can You Please inform the Altair Shipmates, That Shipmate Angelo Diana is Scheduled to go for Open Heart Triple By-Pass Surgery.

Please do not send any E Mails To Angelo till futher notice. If you want to send cards please send them to his Home, 122 Grand PL, Kearny N.J.07032. Any And All Prayers are Welcome. Thank You Joe.

Thank you Joe!!

Please do not reply to this email.......use cmbaltairaks32 [at] fastmail.us

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