Fla. chapter members of the USMCCCA at the NASCAR Museum, March 27, 2009 in Daytona Fla. Left to right: Hank and Trudy Ehlbeck, Ann and Red Carpenter, Charlie and Alva Ross, Chuck and Mary Beveridge.
By Jack Paxton, executive director and Fl Chapter member
Proving that distance poses no problem, the Florida Chapter continued its annual tradition of moving at least one quarterly meeting annually around the elongated state.
Jack Paxton, Alva and Charlie Ross, Red Carpenter, Hank and Trudy Ehlbeck and Ann Carpenter were among the Florida Chapter members attending the quarterly business meeting in Daytona, Fla. March 28, 2009. Photo by Kate Stark
On March 27, 10 members from diverse locations – two from as far away as Birmingham, AL – gathered in Daytona Beach on Florida’s east coast for a Friday social gathering and 1st Quarter meeting on Saturday. Two others joined the group for the Saturday luncheon.
The weekend gathering, hosted by Port Orange members Hank and Trudi Ehlbeck began Friday afternoon with a tour of the Daytona International Speedway, its various exhibits and a special showing at the IMAX Theater. The group then enjoyed “happy hour” at their motel and a group dinner following.
To give an idea of distances traveled, Chuck and Mary Beveridge journeyed approximately 600 miles from their home in Birmingham, AL; Bob McEwen, who lives on the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s west coast, traversed the state; Kate Stark drove nearly three hours from Gainesville; the Carpenters, two hours and Jack Paxton and Allen Moore an hour each from their Central Florida locations.
When the Florida chapter was chartered a number of years ago, President Carpenter promised that at least one quarterly meeting would be held away from Central Florida. Since then chapter members have gathered at least once at Ft. Lauderdale, Pensacola, Daytona Beach, Niceville (Florida panhandle), at National Conference locations, as well as various other central Florida communities. Because of its proximity, several Alabama members have associated themselves with the Florida group. Mawk and Alice Arnold, residents of Daphne, AL were unable to attend the March meeting.
Other Chapter meetings are held to facilitate planning for the Chapter‘s primary project, the Annual Chapter Golf Tournament held in early June each year. The tournament, which grows in popularity and prosperity each year, will be held this year on June 5 at the Ridgewood Lakes Golf Club in Davenport, FL. Over the four year history of the tournament more than $22,000 has been contributed to the National organization. In addition to its fund raising efforts, the Florida Chapter has developed a “how to” for Conference Chairman, did reviews and mentoring of deployed Combat Correspondents in Iraq. The Florida Chapter has also “signed on” as a resource for the Marine for Life Program and the Wounded Marines Mentoring Program. It is also an active participant in the Central Florida Marine Corps Monument committee and has contributed towards that effort.
Minutes for the Fla Chapter Business Meeting can be read here
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