904 (Lake Chapala-Mexico) Wing
Air Force Association of Canada
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Last updated
July 7, 2008
Wing Executive
May 2008 |
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In This Issue:
- President’s Message
- Dinner - Dance
- Annual General Meeting
- Recognizing a Stroke
- Free "VIA Rail" Service in Canada
President's Message
First, I would like to thank my Executive for their hard work and continued support. I am very pleased to announce that we have this year increased our Wing membership by 8, bringing our total to 70, including 5 Social Members. This kind of growth has not been equaled by other wings. I also thank you, the members, for your loyal participation in all our programs. We are now an established visible entity within the Lakeside community.
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In the past year we have had a variety of different and interesting events, such as:
a) our 2nd participation on Remembrance/Veteran's Day Ceremonies at the Veteran's section of the Chapala Cemetery and afterwards at the American Legion Post 7 b) a presentation by Cap. P.A. Manuel Cordova giving us an insight of Mexico's Air Force involvement during WWII c) another very successful Welcome Back Snowbirds BBQ d) our invitation to attend the Guadalajara Flyers Air Show in Tlajomulco, Jalisco e) a 2nd very interesting and informative "Medical Resource" panel f) our fun filled 2nd Best Ball Golf Tournament g) our successful 5th Annual Wing Dinner - Dance in March. Because of popular demand, our Beer Calls are now year round. My thanks to Ron Hudson for recommending the change of Beer Call location to Robert's "Rincon del Cielo", for moving our Games Night to "Johnny's Bar & Restaurant" and for his and his wife Babette's hard work running a superb Bar for the 2nd year in a row at our Welcome Back Snowbirds BBQ. |
Cap. P.A. Manuel Cordova F.S. (FAM Retired) speaking on Mexico's Air Force involvement during WWII |
We have added a Wing Kit Shop, to enable our members to purchase items such as Uniform Shirts, Epaulets, Wing Golf Shirts, Wing & RCAF Baseball Caps, Lapel Pins, Belts, etc. Also, we have established a Wing Benevolent Fund and a 50/50 Draw held at each Wing function other than our Annual Wing Dinner-Dance.
For the past 3˝ years I have been 904 Wing's liaison with our dear friends, Cap. Roberto Montoya, President of the AEMA A.C. - (Asociación de la Escuela Militar de Aviación, A.C.) Guadalajara Squadron, General Jose Luis Irineo Saldivar, DEMA, (Director de la Escuela Militar de Aviación) of the Mexican Air Force, Air Base No. 5 in Zapopan, Jalisco and Cap. Jose (Pepe) Manriquez Zambrano of the Guadalajara Flyers and have continued to enjoy a great relationship with them. Our Wing has invited them to some of our major events and they in return, have invited us to participate in some of theirs, such as the AEMA's Annual National Convention & Dinner - Dance in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, their Mexican Air Force, Air Base No. 5 in Zapopan's and their Military Aviation Academy at the Air Base to watch the cadets and alumni on parade commemorating the 92nd Anniversary of the Academy and the Dinner - Dance two days later.
Also, I thank both Bob Rowlatt, our Past President for continuing as Editor of our excellent bi-monthly Newsletter "Slip Stream" and Ellen Okunsky, our webmaster, for their contribution to increase our communications with you and other AFAC wings.
In closing I request, that you keep on submitting your suggestions to us, so that we can provide you with new, good aviation and common interest themes. Also, that you continue to invite ex-RCAF/CAF members, including those of our NATO alliances, civil aviation and aviation aficionados to our functions, who will add charisma and growth to our Wing.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Mario Okunsky
Dinner - Dance
The annual Dinner - Dance held at La Nueva Posada held on Friday, March 14th was again one of our most popular events with 73 members and guests attending.
We were honored to have 3 guests of the Wing at the Dinner: Kathryn Aleong, Consul & Trade Commissioner of Canada in Guadalajara who is also a Social Member of 904 Wing, Herb Paschen, President of the Navy League in Chapala and Jeanne Chaussee, Lakeside's correspondent for the Guadalajara Reporter.
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| Wing Executive and Guests | President Mario Okunsky and Canadian Consul Kathryn Aleong |
The highlights of the evening were the presentation of Awards and for the first time, Long Term Membership AFAC Pins and a Special Certificate.
Recipients of the 5 year pin, in order of seniority were: Jack Burroughs, Don Slimman, Renaud Prefontaine and Bill Watt.
A 10 year pin was given to Peter DeTracey and a 20 year pin to Keith Williamson.
Wing President, Mario Okunsky presented a Dedicated Service Award Citation to each of the following:
To John Prichard, recognizing him for his energetic and constructive participation as a member of the Wing Executive Council, to Mike Briscoe, recognizing him for his major contributions to Wing Operations, to Bill Neal, recognizing him for his active participation in Wing affairs and a special Certificate of Appointment to Keith Williamson, appointing him as Wing Piper for so long as he is a member of 904 Wing.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General meeting was held at La Nueva Posada on Friday, 11 April 2008. Members elected the new 904 Wing Executive Council for the year 2008 - 2009. Your new Executive will be:
| 904 Wing Executive Council for 2008-2009 | |
| Ron Hudson | President |
| Don Slimman | 1st Vice-President |
| Tombo Thomlinson | 2nd Vice-President |
| Bob Pope | Snowbird Rep |
| John Prichard | Secretary/Treasurer |
| Mario Okunsky | Past President |
The membership also approved the establishment of a 904 Wing Benevolent Fund. The purpose of the Benevolent Fund is to provide financial assistance to members of 904 (Lake Chapala - Mexico) Wing of the Air Force Association of Canada in the event of extraordinary medical or other expenses.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE (Provided by Wing Medical Advisor Dr. Martin Inwood)
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR. Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call immediately for emergency medical support.
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his/her tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
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Free "VIA Rail" Service in Canada
Members of the Air Force Association, and their (ex)-military friends and family may be interested to learn of an offer of free, repeat free train service, during the month of July, for all Veterans, courtesy of VIA Rail.