THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 5, 2002
President Lee Hindenach opened the meeting in our beautiful new surroundings at Morrill Hall with 185 members present. Membership is 500 with 46 on the waiting list.
Announcements: Ken DeGroot introduced new member Pete Meyer. On behalf of the Episcopal Church, Dick DePatie welcomed us all. He said that Father Pickering, who was away, would give us an official welcoming next Friday. President Hindenach thanked all the members of the club who helped facilitate the move and especially singled out Walt Hoffman for his efforts, also Mr. DePatie on behalf of the church. Lee Hindenach called a Board of Directors meeting for next Friday at 9:00. Huck Wood needs lawyers for the "Touch the Future" program at the high school. Huck intimated that those who are eligible and don't offer their services, just might find themselves "commandeered." Maitre D' Supreme Charlie Morris gave out the usual delectable menu for the anniversary meeting on May 3. A $400 per person price seemed cheap for all the proposed goodies. Speaking of goodies, Bob Wosahla needs help serving coffee in the upcoming months. He hasn't threatened us yet.
Activities: No bowling today, racquetball still quiet, bridge will be held in the Lapham Center after the meetings, paddle continues, probably through May 15. Tennis isn't ready yet, golf opens up 4/17 at Oak Hills at $47 per person, and then continues 5/8 at the N.C. Country Club at $67 PP. Trailblazers next jaunt is 4/10 at Huntington State Park, and 4Fs next luncheon will be at Trattoria Via Sporta in Norwalk.
Couth: 4/23-24 Washington D.C., 5/14 Bronx Zoo, 6/19 Goodspeed Opera House, 7/27 Ct. Jazz Fest, August dtba Fort Jefferson Ferry, September dtba Belmont, 10/9 Oklahoma, 11/9 West Point, and December dtba GE Building tour and NBC studios. For details speak to the couth committee.
John Berg told some Milton Berle favorites, and than told about an Irishman who got into a fight and found out that a woman's breast isn't as formidable a weapon as a shovel.
SPEAKER
Bob Witt introduced Paul A Strassman who gave a fascinating talk about specialized army warfare today. The special ops activities began in 1942 when Allen Dulles formed the OSS. Today it has broadened to become a most intricate and important part of our fighting force. Under its umbrella are the Special Forces {green Berets}, the "Rangers", the Navy Seals, and the most elite of them all, "Delta Force." Each of these very specialized groups has very different functions and objectives. The key to their success is "intelligence", and that is the most important factor in modern warfare. Also very important is today's equipment, which has virtually reached the unthinkable in its ultra modern limits. We have a sniper rifle capable of hitting a bull's eye a mile away, drone tanks, drone planes, and a "spooky" plane carrying a howitzer on board. Paul stressed that in a way, we are now all part of that special army. On Sept. 11, Todd Beemer brought us all into this unspeakable war on terrorism. Unfortunately, we may be in it for a long time to come.
Eric Musa, Secretary