The 2005 USABAA Convention/Reunion was a great success.  This reunion was the culmination of 2  months of intense planning.  The hospitality room was opened at 0800 hours on Tuesday, 6 August 2005.  Refreshments were arranged for and provided by Nancy Harkey, the convention Consultant, and were available when the first guests arrived.  Planners for this reunion were J Nance, Monroe Mitchell, and Nancy Harkey.

Nancy, who is also an Associate member, was one of the primary planners for this event, and she was the responsible person to ensure the hospitality room was always open and fully stocked with refreshments and all the necessary amenities were available for our membership as they arrived.  Beverly Johnson assisted Nancy in the Hospitality Room.  Darlene Gill arrived at noon on Tuesday to assist us with administrative functions.  Without these three, the convention would have been a major challenge.

Tuesday was day one, and a day of getting acquainted, renewing old acquaintances, and generally having fun with whist and conversation.  (Who were the big winners?)

Wednesday, day two, began with breakfast, and a very productive meeting with the President of the Huntsville City Council, The Honorable Dr. Richard Showers, Jr.  Prior to his very gracious welcome, we engaged in a productive dialogue of our charter, the intent of USABAA, possibilities of further engagement and the fertile grounds of the Huntsville community for the purpose of engaging the young people of Huntsville and the ROTC/JROTC in the area for Mentorship and scholarships.  Mr. Showers committed to assisting us in any way he can to attain our goal of increasing minority participation in aviation career fields. He made several positive enhancement recommendations.  He promised his full personal support and the backing of the City Council wherever possible.  We believe it to be a successful meeting. This is not to conflict with the IBAC joint meeting planned for Phoenix AZ, in 2006..

This was followed by a business meeting where the leadership set the agenda for the coming year in preparation for the General Business Meeting on Friday and Saturday.

A lunch for the Alabama A&M University ROTC was held.  The speaker for the group was former Kansas State Senator U.L. "Rip" Gooch who gave some inspiring words concerning the possibilities in aviation.  CPT. Tobin Brown (son of CW4 Ret. Alvin Brown) and a recent returnee from Operation Iraq was also present. The Alabama A&M University ROTC Color Guard presented the colors and the National Anthem..

Thursday, day three, started with a bang at 0700 hours.  We had planned a Golf Tournament with at least ten teams of four members each.  We had three teams to register and they all had a really great time.  Although a beverage cart was scheduled to traverse the course providing beverages to the players, a misguided assumption on the part of the management of the course failed to order the cart.  But all had a great time anyway.  Jethroe Pugh, our celebrity golfer, teamed up with Anita Williams, CEO and President of LESCO, Inc a Huntsville based Service Corporation and primary representative of the Diversified Business Group (DBG), COL Robert English, the AMCOM Chief of Staff who represented AMCOM, and Roosevelt Conley representing TecMasters, also a  member of the DBG;  This team won second place.  Frank Gordon, President of MSSI, fielded a four man team consisting of Frank, Don Allen, Tony Ortiz, and Tim Bowers.  This team won third place; 2d and third place teams were tied and winners were determined by the flip of a coin.  This was a diversion from the rules due to continuing modifications. 

The First place Team consisted of Carl Burhanan, President of Oasis, Inc and USABAA Treasurer, Victor Thornton, President of USABAA, and Ex State Senator from Kansas, Rip Gooch.  Carl also hit the longest ball and earned that trophy, and Anita Williams hit the 'closest to the pin' ball to win a trophy.  All in all, everyone was a winner.  Maybe next year, we will have a full complement of players for the tournament.

Following the tournament, we had an awards ceremony and lunch where trophies were presented and George T. Johnson was presented his "Golden Putter".

In the evening, we attended the Charity Dinner where the dynamic Mr. Charles Steele was the guest speaker and provided some very encouraging words on unity and culminated with a surprising pledge of $100,000 and a partnership to aid us in attaining our goals promoting young men and women, boys and girls in their efforts toward careers in aviation.  It was a very encouraging and inspiring speech.  Our music for the evening was provided by the Believers in Christ, Gospel Group of Huntsville, AL.

Friday morning, day four, we had our business meeting and the consensus was to set the Huntsville, Alabama as our center of operations for the coming three or so years.  In addition, we should plan a working conference in Huntsville in the March-April 2006 time frame to establish a scholarship and work shop for the tri-state area of the ROTC which consisted of Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and the  Florida "Panhandle".  In addition, the annual reunion will also be held in Huntsville during August of 2006.  The exact dates will be confirmed as soon as we can confirm that there are no conflicts. 

Friday afternoon the bus departed for Birmingham, AL with those who wanted to visit the Birmingham Black History Museum. 

Saturday, day five, we held the second Business meeting at 0800 hours and the election was held.  The following is the slate of Officers for the coming two years:

  Victor Thornton, President
  Bill Thomas, Vice President
  Joe Holland, Vice President of Operations
  Carl Burhanan, Treasurer
  J Nance, Secretary
  Monroe Mitchell, Parliamentarian

The Convention/Reunion culminated with the usual Saturday Night Banquet.  Our guest speaker was MG Jim Pillsbury, Commanding General, Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM).  He spoke to us on Aviation Present and Future.  The welcome was presented by MAJ Ossie Peacock, President of the George Baker Chapter at Fort Rucker.  His Welcome Message was Aviation Past, beautifully done and well received.  You can read his address on our webpage.  MG Pillsbury pledged his support for future activities in the community.  He was accompanied by his lovely wife, Ms Becky Pilsburry.  The message was great, the food was wonderful, the conversation was outstanding, and the music provided by the Eric Essix Group of Birmingham, AL was absolutely superb.  Vocals were provided by Toni Redd, an absolutely great voice.  Great music.  The National Anthem was sung by Megan Humphrey.

On Sunday, everyone prepared to depart for their various  homes and destinations with pledges and promises for next year.  All in all, a great reunion and convention.  Let's do it again next year. 

J Nance