From the Executive Director:
Planning for Tailhook ’03
by CAPT J.R. Davis, USN(Ret)
by CAPT J.R. Davis, USN(Ret)
A recent meeting with the Nugget Hotel staff was productive. John Ascuaga is pleased to host the Tailhook Association’s convention and symposium in Reno this year, and expressed great pride in the U.S. Navy and our carrier aviation force. He is especially proud of all Tailhookers and the contributions you’ve made to keep our country free and safe.
The Tailhook Association welcomes VF-51, VF-111 and VF-96 together with many other reunion groups who will be holding events in conjunction with the Tailhook convention. The Thursday evening welcoming reception, open to all, will salute these reunion groups.
The contact for the VF-51 Screaming Eagles (including VF-5 and VF-5A) is Ernest J. Thabet, 3071 Clear Springs Court, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22911, phone (804) 978-3632.
We expect more than 3,000 attendees at the coming reunion, so we urge you to call John Ascuaga’s Nugget today to make your hotel reservations before all the rooms earmarked for the Tailhook event have been taken. If you’re an active-duty Tailhooker, ensure that the hotel reservation desk knows this when you place your reservation to receive a special room rate. Don’t miss this opportunity for a great time — visit all the industrial displays or set up your own booth and renew acquaintances.
In 2002 we reduced our operating costs and increased our income as a result of better sales revenue and greater reunion attendance. This change resulted in a gain of $82,654, which will be used to offset operating losses suffered from 1992 through 1996. For the first time since 1992, we have retired all debts and are operating solidly in black ink.
Assets |
|
| Cash and investments Accounts receivable Inventory Real estate, improvements Office equipment Less accumulated depreciation Other assets Total current assets |
$256,694
12,433 140,271 438,979 150,410 (180,974) 1,690 $819,503 |
Liabilities and Equity |
|
| Accounts payable Retained earnings Net profit Total liabilities and equity |
$38,641
698,208 82,654 $819,503 |
Our new Hook ’03 reunion golf shirt is now available on our Web site https://www.tailhook.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
In response to many requests, we’re continuing to stock all denomination trap tabs in two styles, one with the words “Carrier Arrested Landings” and the other with the word “Traps.” We have also added F9F-2/5 Panther and F7U Cutlass shirts to our T-shirt collection.
We have more than 1,850 Life members and the number continues to grow. The Life member program is on a sound financial footing and our cost schedule will guarantee that we can support your membership throughout your lifetime, and that the Tailhook Association will continue to grow and prosper. For those members or applicants younger than age 60, the cost is $705. Part of your payment will be invested for the future, the first operating funds from the “investment” will support your membership three years after you join or upgrade to a Life membership. For those over the age of 60, there is a reduced payment schedule. Please call the headquarters for details.