President Jim Thomas called the meeting to order at 0905. He noted that a quorum was present to conduct any Association business.

He called for Secretary Max Moore to the read the minutes from the membership meeting at the San Diego reunion in March 2005. Bill Simon moved to dispense with that reading. Motion was seconded by many and passed. Moore noted for the record that the minutes had been published in the May 2005 Videmus Omnia newsletter and was available on the Association web site.

George Miller moved the minutes be approved. Seconded. Motion passed.

The president recognized Treasurer Errol Hoberman who gave his financial report. The checking account has $5083.15; the savings account has $3471; and a CD has $10,273.56. The Association is solvent. He also reported that there are now 1181 members in good standing.

Sparky Adams moved the reports be accepted. Seconded. Motion passed.

Historian Robb Hoover related that a good working relationship had been established with the 55th Wing Historian's office. He reported on the latest in "Pop" Kaden's quest to see that all his former crew members were presented DFCs at ceremonies. He commented on the composite CD he had compiled of wing and Association vignettes, which had been showing in the hospitality suite. It was such a popular feature that many attendees wanted to secure copies of the CD. Hoover stated he would make copies and that word would be publicized thru the web site and newsletters when they became available.

Thomas called upon Moore to give a nomination committee report. Moore noted that there were three categories of members on the Board of Directors: permanent members who had opted for that status after being elected four or more times; elected members of which the limits are no less than seven, but no more than eleven; and the two active duty representatives. He listed the current BoD nominated for election as: Pres Thomas, VPres Ricky McMahon, Secretary Moore, Webmaster Don Griffin, Michael Cook, Joe Gyulavics, Dennis Haun, George Ross, Fox Censullo and Kevin Todd. A new nominee is Larry Utley. Moore added that Treas Hoberman had opted for permanent status after having been elected seven times. He noted that the active duty members Col Don Kelly and LtCol Ken Bauer would remain on the BoD.

Pres Thomas opened the floor for nominations. Cook nominated Pete Glenboski.

Moore was recognized and stated that since there were now 12 nominees for 11 BoD positions, that in the interest of harmony and simplicity, he would opt for permanent status having been elected seven times.

Ham Kennedy then moved the nominations be closed. Seconded and passed.

Miller moved that the slate of nominees for the Board be elected by acclamation. Seconded and passed.

Pres Thomas announced the names of four Association members the BoD deemed worthy of being awarded Life Membership under By Law 7.4 as having "made very special contributions in service or otherwise to the Association". Those are: Bruce Bailey, a past leader of the Assn; past president Sam Pizzo; past president Bill Ernst; and Jack Kovacs, the Cold War Memorial Coordinator and Dayton Reunion chair.

Thomas noted that the next reunion in the spring of 2008 needed a site and chairman. Member Dick Ray offered to host one in Tampa, FL. VP McMahon offered to chair one in the Washington, DC-area. Thomas called for a show of hands for each location and DC was the favorite by nearly a two to one margin.

The president then reviewed the status and growth of the Association, and noted the many actions since the last reunion March 2004 reunion. They included: the amending of Article VIII and Bylaw 7 to specify classes of membership in the Association; former wing commander MGen Craig Koziol was presented a copy of the book "We See All' and sent a framed picture of the new Offutt Cemetery flag/flag pole. The Association participated in that project in September of 2005 and it was dedicated at a ceremony on Veterans Day, 11 November 2005.

The Association was invited to give a briefing at a Wing Stand-up Meeting in March 2006 at which Thomas, Hoover and Moore gave a tag-team synopsis of who, why and what the Assn is. They also told of what it has accomplished and of the several contributions in support of the Wing.

Thomas reported on the dinner the Association hosted for a meet and greet with the incoming wing commander BGen Jonathon George in November 2005. He also told of the success of the Tales of the Fifty-Fifth on 31 March 2006, which had the highest attendance to date, including a large active duty cadre. He further reported on the Association's participation and donation to the Wing Birthday Ball, and the Award for Excellence and Hall of Fame presentations that were made at the Ball.

Another donation was to the 55th Fighter Group Memorial dedicated at Wormingford, UK, last summer. The Association and individual members sent a total of $1500 to support the ceremonies.

Thomas then reported the status of relationship between the Association and the Wing. He noted that dialogues have been proactive with open communication between the local Assn officers and members and the Wing senior staff. He gave specific examples of the Ball, Hall of Fame administration, and input regarding a proposed Offutt memorial project. Thomas remarked that the Association's contributions "have made a difference in the Wing."

Moore commented that the Assn in 1997 had just over 500 members, but now has over 1100. He complimented the effort of Membership Chair Hoberman who initiated a 'we want you back' campaign this year that netted 72 returned members.

Webmaster Griffin reported on the Association web site status, and acknowledged the contributions and untimely loss of his able assistant, Dave Johnson. He noted the need to keep up with current technologies, and told of the newly added Memory Lane feature.

Cook reported that the reunion attendance for the banquet was 312 and total registration was 330. Thomas noted that today (Saturday, 23 Sep) was Offutt Day to culminate the reunion with afternoon tours of the base and the windup BBQ in the hangar to interact with the active duty troops that evening.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 0943.

Respectfully submitted,

Max R. Moore,
Secretary