April 17, 2004 Minutes

The twenty first meeting of the Indiana Chapter of the DINFOS Alumni Association was held on April 17, 2004, at ll:00 am at The Garrison at Ft. Harrison State Park.  Attached is a listing of those who attended.

The meeting opened with introductions by all in attendance.  During his introduction, George Hobbs mentioned his son is in Iraq, and he asked for prayers for his safety.

Dr. Rubak extended regards he received from Colonel Ed McDonald, Colonel Robert Bentley, BG John Carlson, Dean Farr, Myriam Rath’s family and several others.  He mentioned a phone call he got from Dave Briggs, a former DINFOS Broadcaster.  Dave was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) three years ago, and he expressed a desire to hear from those who remember him.  His phone number is (317) 848-4903.

Further, Dr. Rubak mentioned he had heard from Pat McKeand, former Chief of the DINFOS Editors Course.  Pat asked him to tell everyone how touched and grateful he was by the contribution made under the Scholarship Fund established for him at Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis.

Additional items

Memorials for deceased members of the DINFOS Alumni Association were discussed. These proposals were made:

• Establish a scholarship in their names.

• Provide money for enlisted DINFOS instructors to attend national PRSA courses or conferences.

• Establish an Alumni Association book collection in the DINFOS Library

•    listing deceased members.

• Quality certificates for life members.  Jan Walton volunteered to prepare a

• Certificate with wording furnished by Tom Conrad.

• Awarding a one-year free membership to all graduates.  These can be included in the graduates’ diploma packages with a postcard or flyer to be filled out and mailed when they arrive at their next assignment.  At the expiration of the first year, they will be billed.  Jan Walton said she would also design a certificate to be mailed to any who renew.

Next, Tom Conrad introduced the Guest Speaker, CW2 Reginald (Reggie)

Barney, to relate some of his experiences in Afghanistan.  An overview of his speech is as follows:

• He has been a member of the National Guard for 17 years and was in a comfort zone doing his job as Commander of the 433^rd Personnel Detachment until he was mobilized at Camp Atterbury.  He was told to get his troops together to go Afghanistan to fight terrorism.

• A hard job was talking to the parents of some of the young troops telling them he would do his best to ensure they returned home safely.

• He instilled in his troops a team spirit.  They left for Afghanistan in February 2003 and returned in August 2003.

• Surrounded by the mountains and the snow, they huddled while missiles and firearms went off, and didn’t move until “all clear” was declared.  They all abided in the shadow of the Almighty.

• While over there, they were surrounded by land mines placed earlier when the Russians were there.  These killed many of our soldiers.  Every other week there were bodies being sent home because they stepped on land mines.

• The merchants controlled much of the country.  When we stopped paying them, they were not supportive of us.

• Smoking or drinking was prohibited.  If caught doing either of these, the punishment was pretty severe. 

• Because of the altitude, one SFC suffered a heart attack.

• CW2 Barney said he was a changed man when he came out of his comfort zone.  If he was asked to go over there again to fight, he said, “of course, he would.”  He would fight for this country any time and loves the freedom we have.

• Although he could call home everyday, he was so glad to be home, particularly to “flush a toilet.”

• He stressed the need to send letters to the soldiers over there.  There is something special about getting a letter and holding it.

He finished his presentation by saying he joined the service for education, but now he sells patriotism.

A question was asked him if he felt the picture of the war as presented by the US media is fairly accurate, and he responded he felt it was.

Ms. Caryn Smola, the Lawrence Campus Manager for the Community College of Indiana brought those present up-to-date on what has been happening in the building at Ft. Harrison where DINFOS was once located. 

• She stated that the building once known as Gates Lord Hall is now known as the Richard M. Fairbanks Building for Health Professionals.

• When the Community College first opened at the Lawrence Campus in 1997, there were about 80 students.  Now there are approximately 4,500 enrollees.

• Ivy Tech now owns the building as well as a Public Safety Building that trains about 250 firefighters each year.

• One tenant in the Fairbanks Building is the National Guard that has a l0-year lease.

Ms. Smola then discussed the items on the enclosed chart showing what has been done and what the future plans are.

Chuck Ricks, former Deputy Mayor of the City of Lawrence, gave a presentation.  He talked about the progress that was made in Lawrence prior to the election of the new Mayor.  When asked about the rumors of a National Guard Armory being built at Ft. Harrison, he indicated the rumors are probably true.

The Alumni Association’s Membership Chairman, Dave Mossbarger gave an update on memberships.  We currently have 115 lifetime members.  He recently received 20 renewals to include several three-year memberships.

Dr. Rubak gave the highlights from Colonel Hiram’s update on DINFOS at Ft. Meade.  A copy of Colonel Bell’s “What’s Happening at DINFOS” is attached.

Dr. Rubak also reported that Colonel Larry Icenogle and Bob Dittmer were contacted by Colonel Bell to help in renewing the Alumni Association at Ft. Meade.

The last item of business was the election of new officers of the Executive Council.  The following were unanimously approved to serve for two more years:

-         President – Jack Rubak

-         Vice President in charge of Public Affairs – Bob Dittmer

-         Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs – Craig Ito

-         Vice President in charge of Programs – Tom Conrad

-         Vice President in charge of Memberships – Dave Mossbarger

-         Historian – Mike Davis

-         Secretary – Helen Stritt

Since there were no nominees for Treasurer, it was felt that Perry Brandt would be a good candidate.   Dr. Rubak will contact him to see if he will accept the position.

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

 Jack Rubak, President

  Helen Stritt, Secretary

Attendees:

Hal Barron

Dick Cassin

Susan Cheeley

John Cheeley

Tom Christy

Col. John Christy (USA- ret)

Tom Conrad

Maggie DeHaven

Bob Dittmer

Betty Galbreth

Dolys Gelke

George Hobbs

Col Larry Icenogle (USA-Ret)

Craig Ito

Mike LaBonne

Sandra Lord

Ken Lord

Eula Mallery

Richard Mallery

Dave Mossbarger

Jack Rubak

Helen Stritt

Jan Walton

Alverta Keith

Winnie Withers

Guests:

CW2 Reginald (Reggie) Barney

Chuck Ricks

Caryn Smola

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