Events, News & More

Chapter News

Posted: 9/13/2024

September 2024 Minutes for USNA AA K-OR Chapter lunch at Famous Dave’s BBQ, Knoxville

Members and guests present for the 4 September meeting: Susie and Rich Cataldi ’69, Lee Dantzler ’68, Kelly and Ernie Gonzales ’81, Tim Hallihan ’72, Pat Jacobs ’76, Mike McCrabb ‘78, Mark Prybell ’90, Ralph Schindler ’74, Tom Sloan ’80, Mike Tesar ‘89, Donita and Jim Ward ’85, Andy Wehrle ‘72.

1. Game time for Navy vs UAB Saturday, 28 September 2024 in Birmingham remains “To Be Announced.” The USNAAA Alabama Chapter is hosting a tailgater and has invited the USNAAA KOR Chapter to attend. Details available on this link at MyUSNA. For additional information, contact the Alabama Chapter at usna.ala@gmail.com or 205-572-1173.

2. The USNA Columbarium and the surrounding areas will be closed beginning August 30, 2024 for approximately 18 months due to the repairing of Ramsay Road. During this period of construction, Ramsay Road will be closed to all foot and vehicular traffic; however, a walking path will be available for visitors to access the niches. See this link for more information.

3. Mark your calendars for Friday, 11 October, for the annual USNA Founder’s Day celebration. The event commemorates the founding of USNA, which occurred on 10 October 1845. We will celebrate Founder’s Day on Friday, October 11, at the new Kern’s Food Hall off Chapman Highway in South Knoxville. We have a private area reserved on the second floor, overlooking the lawn area. The venue can accommodate up to 250 people, so alumni and multiple guests are welcome. Since it is a private event, all ages are welcome. The event will be held from 1800 to 2100. You may arrive and leave at any time. However, note that we plan to hold a brief program at 1900. The program will depend upon factors such as turnout and weather. Attendees will purchase their own food and beverages at any vendor within Kern’s Food Hall.
We will also have access to a cash bar adjacent to our private area. Monday Night Brewing, who operates the private event spaces at Kern’s Food Hall, has graciously waived the normal venue rental fees for us as gratitude for our military service. Registration: While there will be no fees for the event, we request that you register on Eventbrite if you expect to attend. Please reserve one ticket for yourself and one for each guest. See the event page on Eventbrite for more details and a FAQ. Please register as soon as possible, so that we can gauge the interest level for this event. Registration is free. If your situation changes, you can modify your registration on Eventbrite. When registering on Eventbrite, select the total number of attendees (you plus guests) and then click “Reserve a spot.” Please direct all questions to Jim Ward (jim.ward@1985.usna.com).

4. Chapter Events: Save the dates for upcoming events. The list includes the next three Chapter luncheons plus other key events.
• Navy Football vs UAB in Birmingham AL: 28 September 2024. Time: TBA. See notes above for the tailgate hosted by the USNAAA Alabama Chapter.
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 2 October 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Founder’s Day: Friday, 11 October 2024. See notes above or on the event page.
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 4 December 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Army-Navy Football Watch Party: 14 December 2024 at 1500. Details TBD. The local West Point AOG Chapter confirmed that it will host the Knoxville watch party in 2024.

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August 2024 Minutes for USNA AA K-OR Chapter lunch at Famous Dave’s BBQ, Knoxville.

Members present for the 7 August meeting: Teresa and Randy Belles ’79, Rich Cataldi ’69, Tim Hallihan ’72, Pat Jacobs ’76, Mark Kohring ‘73, Dave Mutzabaugh ’81, Lee Shinn ’04, Tom Sloan ’80, Otto Stutz ’81, Shawn Tallant ’78, Donita and Jim Ward ’85.

1. Tom Sloan ’80 provided an overview of the United Veterans Council of East Tennessee, which holds 9 free breakfasts for veterans and guests monthly in East Tennessee. Each breakfast is free. The events begin with coffee at 0800 and open the chow line at 0830. For more information, see the United Veterans website link or call 865-604-4443. Tom also discussed the current protocol for veterans saluting out of uniform. While many USNA alumni learned to render salutes only when in uniform and covered, the United States Congress passed two acts in 2008 and 2009 that authorized veterans to render salutes under certain conditions. The following resources provide additional information:

• National Defense Authorization Act of 2008: Authorized hand salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering, or passing of the flag. 4 U.S. Code §9.
• Defense Authorization Act of 2009: Authorized hand salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel. 36 U.S. Code §301.
• Veterans Administration press release 30 October 2008: New Law Authorizes Veterans’ Salutes during National Anthem
• US Flag Code: 4 U.S. Code Ch 1 provides guidelines for displaying, handling, and respecting the US flag.

2. Lee Shinn ’04 attended the August luncheon and joined the Chapter. Lee recently retired from the Marine Corps and relocated to Knoxville. He is originally from the Cincinnati OH area. Welcome aboard, Lee! Semper Fidelis!

3. Mark your calendars for Friday, 11 October, for the annual USNA Founder’s Day celebration. The event commemorates the founding of USNA, which occurred on 10 October 1845. If you have suggestions for a venue or desire to organize this event, please contact Jim Ward.

4. Save the dates for upcoming events. The list includes the next three Chapter luncheons plus other key events.

• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 4 September 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 2 October 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Navy Football vs UAB in Birmingham AL: 28 September 2024. Time TBA. No official Chapter event planned for game, but it is the closest game to Knoxville this year.
• Founder’s Day: Friday, 11 October 2024. Details and POC TBD. If you have suggestions or would like to organize this year’s event, please contact Jim Ward.
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Army-Navy Football Watch Party: 14 December 2024 at 1500. Details TBD. Army will host the Knoxville watch party in 2024

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July 2024 Minutes for USNA AA K-OR Chapter lunch at Famous Dave’s BBQ, Knoxville.

Members present for the 3 July meeting: Randy Belles ’79, Bruce Bevard ’76, Rich Cataldi ’69, Kent Chastain ’61, Josh Gillespie ’00, Pat and Bill Hlopak ’81, Mike McCrabb ’78, Mike McLaughlin ’08, Ralph Schindler ’74, Tom Sloan ’80, Mike Tesar ‘89, Donita and Jim Ward ’85.

1. Remembering Ed Whiting ’57: We received the sad news that Edwin Whiting ’57 passed away on 5/31/2024. Following graduation from USNA, Ed was commissioned in the US Air Force. Ed previously served as the USNAAA KOR Chapter President (2003-2004) and VP (2001-2002). He also served on the Board of Mayor and Alderman in Farragut. In memory of his service, the Chapter made a memorial donation to the Air Force Museum Foundation, which support the
National Museum of the United States Air Force. Ed’s obituary is available at this link. The Knox, TN Today website also provided a tribute to Ed’s service to the citizens of Farragut.

2. Incoming & Outgoing Class Profiles are posted
• Class of 2024 Graduation Statistics
• Class of 2028 I-Day Statistics

3. Navy Football: The Navy Football 2024 Recruiting Class included two midshipmen from Eastern Tennessee:
• Jai Hundley, Fullback, Oak Ridge High School
• Charles Robinson, Quarterback, Webb School of Knoxville

The Navy Football roster already included two others from Eastern Tennessee:
• Gavin Noe ’27, Tight End, Anderson County High School, Clinton
• Jordan Sanders ’25, Raider, Silverdale Baptist Academy, Chattanooga

4. Old Goat: ADM Stu Munsch ’85 became the “Old Goat” on 26 June. The Old Goat is a prestigious honor presented to the longest-serving USNA graduate currently serving on active duty in the Navy. See the press release: NAVEUR-NAVAF Commander becomes U.S. Navy’s Old Goat. The longest-serving USNA graduate currently serving on active duty in the Marine Corps appears to be LTGEN Gregg Olson ’85.

5. Chapter Events: Save the dates for upcoming events. The list includes the next three Chapter luncheons.
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 7 August 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 4 September 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Chapter Luncheon: Wednesday, 2 October 2024 at 1200. Famous Dave’s BBQ
• Navy Football vs UAB in Birmingham AL: 28 September 2024. Time TBA. No official Chapter event planned for game, but it is the closest game to Knoxville this year.
• Founder’s Day: Friday, 11 October 2024. Details and POC TBD. If you have suggestions or would like to organize this year’s event, please contact Jim Ward.
• Army-Navy Football Watch Party: 14 December 2024 at 1500. Details TBD. Army will host the Knoxville watch party in 2024.