Vol. 1, No. 3 Winter 2004/2005 *********************************************** Salutations. Welcome to the third issue of the MSC NETWORK NEWS. December marked the end of a very productive first year of our Network, in which we enjoyed a successful reunion, increased our rolls to over 300 members, and established a college scholarship fund for dependent children of MSCs. We saluted our first president, Ernie Rezendes, as he handed over the gavel to Phill Swinney, and we look forward to continued growth and progress under the direction of Phill, the Board of Director and officers. Objectives. As a reminder to all members, the objectives of the MSC Network are: Inculcate and promote the US Army Medical Service Corps among Junior and Senior ROTC cadets. Foster fraternal relationships with other military and veterans groups. Document, preserve and disseminate accurate historical information regarding Corps activities and achievements of its officers during war and peace. Promote professional, social, and recreational activities for MSC Network members. Support the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in accomplishing its missions. MSC Network Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund was established during the general membership meeting in September. Gil East donated $1,000 to kick things off, and George Hammond, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, asked for 100 members to contribute $100 to keep the ball rolling. As of this issue of the Newsletter, we have over $5,400 in the fund. Make your check payable to the MSC Network, and mail it to MSC Network, P.O.Box 39514, San Antonio, TX 78218. In Memoriam. Please notify our Chaplain, Bob Bories, of the death of any active or retired MSCs. You can contact Bob by email at rbories@aol.com or by letter to COL Bob Bories, 50 Vienna, San Antonio 78252. Membership. Encourage fellow MSCs to join the Network. Ask them to contact COL Earl and Betty McSwain at emcswain@satx.rr.com. RECRUIT ONE NEW MEMBER HELP US ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF 500 MEMBERS Dues. Please send your annual dues of $15 to MSC Network, P.O. Box 39514, San Antonio, TX 78218. Comments and questions should be addressed to Dick Ginn at: Dickginn@aol.com
From the President As the new President of the MSC Network, I think it is important that I introduce myself. My name is Phill Swinney and along with my wife, Gail, we live in Selma Texas, a small town to the northeast of San Antonio on I-35. I take over the reins from Ernie Rezendes who along with the Board of Directors and other officers have work very hard these last two years in getting this organization off the ground. My thanks for job well done to all of them! The question that I continue to get from members and those contemplating joining is, What s with the new name, MSC NETWORK? In working to become a legally authorized corporation, the State of Texas would not permit us to use the term MSC Association or numerous other potential names submitted. After months of hard work we received our Certificate of Incorporation from the State of Texas under the name MSC NETWORK, recognized as a not for profit corporation and given a tax exempt status. We are organized for charitable and educational purposes to promote the history and traditions of the Medical Service Corps. One of our goals is to set up a College Scholarship program. Gil East donated $1,000 to get this fund going, and I again want to thank Gil for his generous contribution. George Hammond then put out a call for $100 from 100 members, and many officers have taken the challenge. I encourage others to follow the example that Gil has set. Another program that we are trying to set up is to work with the Chief s Office on the MSC Award of Excellence program that honors outstanding junior officers. If you were not able to make it to the 2004 Reunion, I think you missed a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and find out what is going on in the Medical Service Corps. At the General Meeting it was decided that we would hold the 2006 Reunion in San Antonio. My goal is to start beating the bushes now to get a group from another area to volunteer to do the 2008 Reunion. If you are interested please let us know. It really can be fun! We have lots of other programs that we are trying to get off the ground, and if you are interested or have ideas for projects please let us know! I can be reached via EMAIL at swinneygp@msn.com. If you have not paid your $15 dues for 2005, I encourage you to renew your membership. Please let your MSC friends know about the Network and what we do and encourage them to join and get involved. The more members we have the more we will be able to accomplish. Phill Swinney, President MSC 2004 Reunion The MSC 2004 Reunion, which was sponsored by the MSC Network, was held 23-26 September at the Riverwalk Holiday Inn in San Antonio. We are grateful to the members of the Committee who made the Reunion and the Golf Tournament such a success. Joel Batalsky was Reunion Chairman, assisted by Phill Swinney and Mike McGinley. Johnny Johnson was in charge of the Golf Tournament and Mexican Buffet, assisted by George Krueger and Joe Brown. Becky Johnson was in charge of Ladies Activities. George Krueger was Chairman of the Memorial Service. Others on the Reunion Committee were Joe DePont, Jim Vinci and Betty and Earl McSwain. 2
The first day was set up to allow time for registration, seeing old friends and renewing acquaintances. Judging by the decibel level of the noise in the lobby, it was a great success. Culminating the first day was an evening reception, at which LTG Becker and BG Young honored us with their attendance. On Friday morning, after opening remarks by our President, Ernie Rezendes, the Chief of the Army Medical Service Corps, BG Sheila Baxter gave us an update on the state of the Corps. General Baxter was followed by updates from COL (Ret) Jim Solomon on the AMEDD Museum, Jimmy Norris on the Veterans Administration, and Col. (Ret) Frank Rohrbough, USAF, on MOAA s legislative initiatives. That afternoon, the Reunion sponsored a golf tournament that proved to be a very popular event on a beautiful Texas day. Friday night we were entertained at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Club with the golf awards ceremony and a wonderful Mexican buffet. Johnny Johnson even had secretly arranged for some door prizes. Saturday morning s activities began with our traditional Memorial Service, honoring those MSCs who passed away during the past two years. We said a last farewell to over ninety officers who were honored by a bagpiper and a color guard. Next, Brig. Gen. Charles Green, USAF, presented a TRICARE update. This was followed by the general membership meeting of the MSC Network with briefings by the President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Business matters included the following: 1) Election and approval of directors, officers and committee chairs. Board of Directors, 2004-2006 Ellis Hall George Hammond Gordon Hennessy Johnny Johnson Mike McGinley Gordon Moore Bud Ockert Ernie Sylvester George Waters Officers: Phill Swinney, President Gordon Hennessey, Vice President Secretary, Earl and Betty McSwain Treasurer, James Vinci Historian and Newsletter Editor, Dick Ginn Chaplain, Bob Bories Webmeister, Art Irish 3
Committee Chairs: Articles of Incorporation Review, George Waters, Audit, Ellis Hall Legal, Ed Hollowell Membership, Jim Roy MSC Liaison, Dick Ginn Nominating Committee, Ernie Sylvester Reunion 2006: Phill Swinney and Mike McGinley Scholarship, George Hammond 2) The membership was briefed that an amount of $10,000 will be maintained as a cash reserve, and any amount over that would be used for the Scholarship Fund, funding future reunions and support of the MSC Award of Excellence program. 3) It was voted to have the 2006 reunion in San Antonio. Phill Swinney and Mike McGinley volunteered to co-chair the event. 4) The outgoing President, Ernie Rezendes, gave the oath of office to the directors, officers, and committee chairs. The Banquet, the only semi-formal event of the reunion, was held Saturday evening; the Jazz Ensemble from Fort Sam Houston provided music during the cocktail hour. All attendees were subjected to getting their picture taken by a new type of camera which telescopes to the ceiling to obtain a more panoramic view of their smiling faces. Following dinner, Joel Batalsky presented an audiovisual show honoring the Medical Service Corps. We have compiled a CD full of digital pictures which were taken during the Reunion. For a $5 donation to the Network the McSwains will be glad to forward you a copy. If you are interested please contact Earl or Betty McSwain at EMcSwain@satx.rr.com. Newsletter Items. Please forward items for the newsletter and any feedback to COL Dick Ginn, 6825 Spring Beauty Court, Springfield, VA 22152, phone 703-912-4326 or email dickginn@aol.com 4
Contributors to the MSC Scholarship Fund As of 31 December 2004 Gill East 1 st Contributor ($1,000) Bowen, Gail Brown, Dale Callaghan, Donald John Callaghan Carter, Jimmie Danielski, Linn Danielson, John Darling, James Freeman, Joseph Ginn, Richard Hammond, George 2d Contributor Harris, Davis Harrison, Hubert Haulser, George Hayes, William Hennessey, Gordon Hill, Thomas Inazu, William Jacox, Gilbert Kanaya, Jimmie Klitch, Richard Latham, Robert Leven, Fred Marshall, Kathleen McGarry, Joseph McSwain. Earl 3d Contributor Melton, Jackson Meyer, Gregory Moore, A. Gordon Morgan, John Morrison, Manley Palmer, Bert Randolph, George Schroeder, Dudley Selby, Jack Shaffer, William Sheek, Alton Sommers, George Stinson, Karl Story, Jack Sylvester, Ernest Truscott, Jim Tweito, Robert Vinci, James Walters, George HAPPY NEW YEAR 5