March 2015 Newsletter - Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association

Flying Tiger Line
Pilots Association
Pilots and employees of the Flying Tiger Line, dedicated to preserving the memory
of a great airline and those who served in China and in World War II
March 4th, 2015
www.flyingtigerline.org
2015 New Orleans Reunion Update
Rooms are still available at the New Orleans Marriot at the $179 group rate. You can make your
reservations by clicking HERE. You can also call Marriot Reservations directly at 1 (800) 654-3990.
Be sure to identify yourself as part of the Flying Tiger/Seaboard Reunion Group. Those who have
previously booked at a higher rate should be able to change over to the group rate, but don’t delay.
Everyone is asked to check the Who’s Coming link. If your name is not in BOLD, then you haven’t
sent your form and payment yet. Please note that the deadline for ordering name badges April 1st.
An updated Registration Form is attached to this newsletter for your convenience. The real begging
will start next month. Please help us out and get those payments in.
The Friday lunch matinee, Tribute to the Andrews Sisters, at the National WWII Museum is
completely sold out. On the Registration Form you can still purchase discounted tickets to the
museum for $25 per person, for use on any day. These tickets will include the showing of the 4-D
production of Beyond All Boundaries. A second day pass can be purchased for only $6 by
presenting your original ticket at the museum ticket window.
Quick Links
Reunion Page
Who’s Coming
Registration Form
Previous
Newsletters
Frequent
Questions
Next months newsletter will be full of suggestions, ideas, and everything else you’ll want to know
about our event. In the mean time, please contact us if you have any questions.
Gray Line Tours Link
Gray Line Tours has created a custom web page specifically for our group. The list of available tours is now much easier to
navigate and our FTLPA 10% discount is already included when you make your reservation. Most tours can be cancelled or
changed with very short notice. Visit http://www.neworleanssteamboat.com/2015/FTLPA/index.html to book your tours early.
Reunion Poster Orders
Reunion Poster Order
Susan Skinner’s latest addition to the poster series she has
created is now available for pre-order. Orders will also be
taken at the reunion up to 3pm on Friday afternoon. The price
for this year’s poster is $25. Previous years from 2011 to
2014 are also available for $15 each. Posters are 16 x 20
and suitable for framing. Proceeds of this year’s poster sales
will go towards one of Susan’s favorite charities, the Effie
Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael CA, an award-winning
educational establishment on the American River.
(Click image for larger view)
(Click image for larger view)
To order your posters email John Dickson
Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association – March 2015
Page 1 of 6
REUNION AGENDA
DATE
Wednesday
May 6th
Thursday
May 7th
Friday
May 8th
Saturday
May 9th
Sunday
EVENT
0800 Hospitality Suite Opens
0800-1200 Grey Line Tour Rep Available for booking
Note: Tours fill up quickly. Plan and reserve your tours now.
Use the link at right to book now and enjoy the 10%
discount offered to attendees
0800 Hospitality Suite Opens
0900-1200 Grey Line Tour Rep is available (see above)
Suggested Free Day for all attendees to enjoy The Big Easy
0800 Hospitality Suite Opens
0800-1200 Grey Line Tour Rep is available (see above)
0900-1700 Suggested day to visit the National WWII Museum
1145 Tribute to the Andrews Sisters Lunch Matinee
1030 Special Group viewing of newly acquired P40
. Click HERE for more details
1700 Parrothead Party in our Hospitality Suite
Click HERE for costume ideas
1900 Suggested meet up at Margaritaville (20% off F&B)
1000 Business Meetings for each association
FTLPA (Balcony M-N)
SPAR (Balcony L)
1100 Guest Speaker – Captain Joe Crecca
1200 Hospitality Suite Opens
Note: Change of room from previous days
1600 Party Gras in our Hospitality Suite
Click HERE for costume ideas
It was decided that there will be no planned event for Mothers Day.
LOCATION
Riverview Room (41st Floor)
Grey Line Tours
Riverview Room (41st Floor)
Riverview Room (41st Floor)
National World War II Museum
Stage Door Canteen (WWII Museum)
New Pacific Road to Tokyo Exhibit
Riverview Room (41st Floor)
Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville
Individual Salons (4th Floor)
Balcony M-N (4th Floor)
Mardi Gras Ballroom (3rd Floor)
Proposed Bylaw Changes
Since our beginning in 1974, the FTLPA has been governed by a set of bylaws, originally written by Shad, passed down
through the years, and often revised over time to better fit the direction of our group. The last change to our bylaws was
during the Monterey Reunion in 2011. Under the ever-watchful eye of the IRS, we are considered a Social and
Recreational Club, governed by IRS 501(c)(7). We submit a form each year to confirm this status. Bylaws, along with other
more formal requirements such as balance sheets and meeting minutes, are not required of us. Nevertheless, a current
document creates a continued formality to our affairs and provides a template of procedures for future officers to follow in
the future.
Recently the Executive Board officers (John, Larry, & Peter) had their yearly meeting and certain revisions to the existing
document were decided upon. Most of the changes we are proposing are self explanatory, such as changing required votes
from two-thirds to just a majority, and deleting any requirement for paper ballots. The Executive Board felt that the following
more substantial changes should be brought before the membership for consideration by those in attendance at our next
business meeting in New Orleans:
 Selection of future cities for us to hold our reunions, beginning with 2018, will be by majority vote of the Executive Board
officers, after consideration and consultation with our meeting planner.
 Affiliate Members (surviving spouses of those who have Flown West) will now be called Life Members.
 Consideration for Honorary Membership will now be based on the following criteria:
o Attendance at the reunion during which they will be voted upon at the business meeting
o Attendance at a minimum of two former reunions, for a total of three
o Honorary Members will now pay dues as Regular and Associate Members do.
The current bylaws state that they may be amended only at an Annual Reunion and by a majority vote of the Regular
and Associate Members present and voting. A fuller explanation of the reasons behind these changes will be presented
to all in attendance before we bring it to a vote. In the mean time everyone is encouraged to take an active part by
reviewing the proposed new bylaws. You can read the current bylaws, and the proposed new ones by visting the “Officers
Page” of our website at www.flyingtigerline.org. Or you can just click on the links below:
Current Bylaws
Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association – March 2015
Proposed Bylaws for 2015
Page 2 of 6
Future Reunions
The city and venue for our 2018 Reunion has been decided and will be announced at the business meeting in May.
2016
Napa Wine Train
Napa Valley Marriott & Spa
3425 Solano Avenue
Napa, CA 94558
April 20th to Sunday April 24th, 2016
Hot air balloons over Napa Valley
2017
Downtown Portland
Red Lion Hotel – Jantzen Beach
909 N. Hayden Island Drive
Portland, OR 97217
May 17th to May 20th, 2017
P40 at Evergreen Aviation & Space
Museum
Online Video Library
Got a favorite link that relates to our group in some way? Send it to John Dickson for inclusion below
The Flying Tiger Line
American Volunteer Group
Flying Tigers “Can Do” Spirit (35:08)
Tribute to the Flying Tiger Line (4:05)
The True Story of the Flying Tigers (43:17)
The Flying Tigers Cargo Company (9:56)
Tribute to Bob Prescott (PDF)
Elephant Arrival in Burbank (12:56)
Wings Over China –The Story of the Flying Tigers (47:44)
Flying Tigers: "The Story of the Fourteenth Air Force" (39:50)
The Flying Tigers (7:11)
The Flying Tigers – Famous Dogfights (43:59)
Dick Rossi Interview, 1999 (41:18)
Flying Tigers Bite Back (4:33)
History, Books, and Art
Discussion Forum
The P40 Warhawk
Miscellaneous
How to Fly the P40 Warhawk (28:18)
WW2: Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (46:00)
P40, Warbirds of WWII (45:17)
P-40 Warhawk Vs. Japanese Zero (4:52)
P-40 Cockpit Tour (6:01)
Pearl Harbor P40 Boys (5:58)
Boeing 707 Barrel Roll (4:31)
Douglas DC-8 - The Birth of a Jet (13:16)
Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association – March 2015
Page 3 of 6
Vintage FTL Advertisements
In the early 1950’s, the Flying Tiger Line was well on it’s
way to becoming the largest all-cargo airline in the world.
Mr. Prescott realized the value of mass marketing and
began a series of cartoon style advertisements, which ran
in Fortune, Life, and Time magazines. Beginning with this
Newsletter, we’ll publish a copy of the 18 different ads we
have in our possession from this period. You’ll enjoy them!
The Flying Tiger Club
The Flying Tiger Club is an association very similar to ours,
comprised of former employees from all departments.
Formerly the Tiger Retirement Club, this group gathers on
several occasions throughout the year and shares in the
camaraderie and heritage that we all enjoy so much.
Dinner reservations are still available for their March 21st
Annual Dinner Meeting at the Flight Path Museum.
For more information email Don Ashbrook at
djashbrook@verizon.net or give him a call at 760-2477870.
All FTLPA members are encouraged to join.
The Flying Tiger Gallery
If you haven’t had the chance,
you should stop by and see it
Flight Path Museum
6661 West Imperial Hwy
Los Angeles, CA 90045
http://www.flightpath.us
Member News & Announcements
• Donna Maziarka has a reservation for 3 nights
beginning Wednesday, May 7th and is still looking for a
roommate to share the cost of her hotel room. Contact
her at sailngrl@msn.com if you’re interested.
• Howard Hawkins reports that Amtrak is now offering a
30% discount on tickets from Memphis down to our
reunion via the famed City of New Orleans. For more
info contact him at hawksluv@comcast.net.
• Joe Healy, member and former FTL President, has
written an excellent article on his experiences during
FTL operations into Vietnam in the early 1970’s when
he was Executive VP. Click HERE to read it.
• We’ve had a recent report that Vern Wastman may
have passed away last September. Anyone with any
info is asked to contact us.
More member news and announcements can be found by
visiting the Discussion Page on our website. If you have
problems accessing it then contact Peter or John.
Time Magazine -- March 17, 1952
Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association – March 2015
Page 4 of 6
Tigers Flown West
The following Flying Tigers have made their final flight since
our last reunion in Seattle. More information might be found in
t h e Memoriam Section of our website or in the FTLPA
Discussion Forum if details were sent to Peter. If you are
aware of the passing of any others within our Tiger family, then
please bring it to our attention so that we can post it below.
Al Taylor – May 8th, 2014
Bill Popp – June 8th, 2014
John Ristaino – July 17th, 2014
Gene Petrie – July 20th, 2014
Marty Salva – July 30th, 2014
Ramon Vasquez – August 11th, 2014
Lou Sanders – August 16th, 2014
Harry McCarthy – September 2nd, 2014
Vern Mays – September 9th, 2014
Manie Morris – September 21st, 2014
Frank Therian – September 23rd, 2014
Ray Hopcus – October 14th, 2014
Art John – November 10th, 2014
Jim Camp– November 18th, 2014
Art Del Nero – December 18th, 2014
Mel Smith – January 7th, 2015
From The Prez
Some have asked me about the wisdom of not having a formal dinner this
year, and what’s behind the theme parties at happy hour on Friday and
Saturday. I assure you that we will return to the traditional banquet and dance
next year in Napa. One of the primary reasons for the informality this year is
that the officers of FTLPA, primarily myself, felt the need for a break from all
the planning, and this particular year seemed perfectly suited for such an
opportunity. Another reason is the unique ambiance of the city and all that it
has to offer. Who wants to dress up and sit in a windowless room on Saturday
night when the French Quarter is out there begging to be explored? Probably
the most important reason for breaking tradition and letting our hair down
these two nights might be summed up with the following quote by Ralph Waldo
Emerson.
“It is one of the blessings of old friends
that you can afford to be stupid with them”
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
I think Emerson would have made a fantastic cargo pilot. Two months to go.
Please help us out and get those forms and payments in!
John Dickson
President
Fr8rcap@gmail.com
(208) 699-5909
Larry Weeks
Vice-President
weeks.larry@gmail.com
(206) 258-3911
Peter Okicich
Secretary-Treasurer/Webmaster
paokicich@comcast.net
(206) 246 4271
Robin Pestarino
Flight Attendant Representative
rpestarino46@hotmail.com
(360) 588-8177
George Gewehr
Historian
gjtiger@msn.com
(520) 574-1932
Sandra White
Meeting Planner
robsanwhite@sbcglobal.net
(619) 284-7484
Flying Tiger Line Pilots Association – March 2015
Page 5 of 6
NEW ORLEANS 2015 JOINT FTL/SWA REUNION
I am planning on attending YES
NO
Only 2015 Dues Enclosed
Name______________________________ Partner____________________________
(other guests attending,
list names here:______________________________________________________
For FTLPA address Street__________________________________________
correction: (Please
complete even if
City________________________State____Zip_________
unchanged)
Tel:(____)____-______ Email:_____________________________
Enclosed, $20.00 for 2015 FTLPA dues (If Applicable).....…………..….……$
Enclosed, $35.00 per person for registration…………………...….…………….$
Enclosed, $60.00 per person for 5/8/15-11:45 WWII Museum Tour
includes Admission & "Tribute To Andrew Sisters" Lunch Matinee…...$
Enclosed, $25 per person for Nat'l. WWII Museum Admission &
4D movie "Beyond All Boundaries" (Good Anytime For One Day)..........$
Enclosed, $6.00 each for custom name badges (Deadline is April 1)......$
Indicate which style and names as you want them to appear:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
____
_______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Total Enclosed……..$
Mail to FTLPA, 14248 56th Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98168
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