(Two of the cooler members in attendance at the Spring Red Tie Luncheon. Photo Socotra).
The Spring Red Tie Luncheon was yesterday, one of the biennial events that gets all the old and new Spooks together to share a meal and catch up on the health of the organization Mac Showers founded almost thirty years ago to keep alive the flame of Operational Intelligence that helped win the greatest conflict in human history- until the next one.
Which is exactly the point- the only more painful and expensive thing than fighting a war is losing one. We want to help the nation avoid that.
I was in full Jimmy Olsen Cub Reporter mode with my big Canon D-50 digital camera that I drag along to document these things. I wore a sporty red polka-dot clip on bow tie and a bright red sweater vest to get in the spirit of things.
I can sum up the substance of the meeting with fair rapidity:
The Army-Navy Country Club is a great venue,
The turn-out was the largest in years, with tons of active duty folks. ANCC is much easier for people to get to than the old venue out in the wilds of Tysons Corner.
The meal was great,
The New Zealand white wine was cold and crisp . In fact, it was positively insouciant ,
President Norm Hayes told us the organization is in good financial order,
The Commanders or Deputies from the four ONI Centers (Farragut=TechINT, Nimitz= OPINTEL, Hopper= IT and Kennedy= Special Warfare) had a panel discussion and concluded that they are coping as well as they can under the present fiscal shortfalls,
Chairman Bob Murrett presented former Chairman Jake Jacoby the Red Tie award for 2015,
Mark Greer said the Foundation gave out an impressive number of scholarships,
And Nels Litsinger announced that the annual Naval Intelligence Essay contest is taking a hiatus due to the sharp decline in the number of submissions.We will figure out a way to reinvigorate the process and the new internet concept may help.
A grand time was had by all, including those who were headed to stand the watch at the Pentagon. This specialist stuck to the meal and let the retired folks enjoy the wine..
Did I mention the New Zealand white wine was crisp and inviting?
See you at the Fall meeting- it is not restricted just to members, and our 501c3 status includes an educational mission for the general public. We will have the new Web Portal shortly, and that is going to help. Stay tuned for details!
Jimmy Olsen, Cub Reporter for a Great Metropolitan Daily.
Copyright 2015 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303