From the President s Corner: Hello everyone! I hope you have had a marvelous summer. Mine sure has been busy. I fit in a lot of sun and fun. Now, as we greet September, I look forward to seeing everyone at our first luncheon after the summer break on Wednesday, September 14 th, Noon at the Golden Corral. All United Airline retirees, spouses and friends are invited to an afternoon of fun, friendship and enjoying time together. 10801 Bullock Drive, Manassas, VA We are busily making plans for The Flying Circus on Sunday, September 18 th, 2016. RSVP numbers are low so we re looking forward to hearing from you ASAP. This is such a fun event. Thanks to Bob O Roark and others, you ll be able to walk down memory lane with a First Class Museum of United memorabilia. Of course, there s the visiting and catching up with friends, not to mention an old-fashioned barn storming airshow complete with the Red Baron and the food! I love a good pot luck picnic, especially with members of this group! My mouth is already watering with the delicious variety of food attendees are bringing. As you know, it takes a lot of effort and planning to put an event together. We need to know how many will attend and what they ll be bringing for the pot luck. We also need attendance numbers to place orders for the pulled pork and pulled chicken. RSVP ASAP! And, be sure BOTH dates are on your calendar! September 14 th, (Wednesday) for the Dulles Loungers luncheon at the Golden Corral September 18 th, (Sunday) for The Flying Circus near Bealeton, Virginia I look forward to spending time with each of you again. Mari To date, the following have sent RSVP and Pot luck selections for The Flying Circus
On a sad note, our friend and Dulles Lounger, Pat Watson, lost her beloved husband, James A. Watson on August 15 th, 2016, after a courageous battle with a chronic illness. I m sure the family would appreciate hearing from you. Your condolences may be sent to 6115 Georgetown Road, Broad Run, VA 20137 http://www.moserfuneralhome.com/obituary/james-alexander-watson/broad-run-va/1649541 We wish each of our September birth-day babies a wonderful birthday. May you enjoy every moment and the love that surrounds you from friends and family. September 1 Thomas Adams September 6 Forrest Levely September 9 John Dovel September 14 Alicia Boyd September 17 Preston Rice September 18 Joan Hamilton September 27 Terry Garczynski Congratulations to those celebrating wedding anniversaries. Lyn and Al Craven 09/07/1991 Don and Sandra Dean 09/17/1960 Gloria and Norm Runkles 09/08 Herb and Laura Petitt 09/24 Jocelyn and Corky Vena 09/11/1965 The Dulles Line Station Mechanic Featuring Don Deeds & Jim Sarsfield By Bob O Roark In the early pre-hub days of 1960, 70 and 80 s, the Dulles Line Station Mechanic s duties were multifunctional. As mentioned in the previous Line Station Mechanic story about Oscar Hoffman, not only did they repair, receive and dispatch aircraft, they maintained ground equipment, repaired baggage systems and completed general facility repairs. During construction of the new hub concourse, the functions of the Line Station were relocated to temporary double wide trailers. Along with the crew desk, were the mechanics Load Planning, locker and ready rooms. The auto shop for maintaining ground equipment was moved some distance away to Cargo building #1. On duty this particular winter day were Lead Mechanic, Don Deeds and Jim Sarsfield. While working on equipment at Cargo #1, the radio call came from Load Planning saying a DC-8 from the coast had landed and was taxing to the gate. Don and Jim were responsible for guiding the aircraft into the gate. They quickly locked the shop and jumped into the company Ford Falcon with Don at the wheel. They approached the midfield and saw that the aircraft was already taxing on the ramp. Don picked up speed to get to the gate and decided to take a short cut across the blacktop. The snow plows had left a ten inch ridge of snow which, unbeknownst to Don, had turned to ice. The Falcon hit the ridge of snow becoming airborne for a few moments. Don managed to maintain control, got to the gate ahead of the aircraft and guided it into the gate. Jim was silently steaming as they went about their normal duties securing the aircraft. As activity at the gate settled down, Jim turned to Don and barked in a loud voice Damn you, Deeds! You SOB! You could have killed us both pulling a stunt like that! Don apologized saying, Jim, I am truly sorry, but I didn t know the snow ridge was frozen. Jim walked toward the ready room, turned around and shaking his finger at Don said, I will tell you one thing, Don! I will never ride with you again. Jim stomped off to the ready room still steaming.
This event is a potluck. Beverages/main course will be provided. RSVP ASAP! Dulles Loungers: The potluck will cost only $5 if you bring a dish to share. If you are unable to bring a dish, the cost is $10. Non-members: You are invited to bring a dish to share (& to become a member). Your cost is $10 (Dulles Lounger dues help offset the cost of the event) Kids under 5 are free. Sign up early with a specific dish to bring by contacting Mari ASAP! When you RSVP, advise if you are NOT bringing a dish or are NOT a Dulles Lounger member. We may need to assign a food category so SPEAK UP and tell us what you ll bring. Alcoholic beverages--keep them within our event space--use discretion. Entry fees for The Flying Circus are separate from our event. You will pay at the gate and receive the group discount by telling the cashier you are with the Dulles Loungers (credit cards are accepted). Entry fee is reduced to $10 per adult, children ages 5-12 are always $7. Bob O Roark has amassed an incredible display of memorabilia to showcase. You are invited to bring your collection for others to see. You ll need your own display or table. If you have questions about this please contact Bob. Be sure to read The Flying Circus website for more detail, e.g.: airplane rides, rules. A lawn chair, hat/umbrella is advised for sun or drizzle. Note:The ground is level, but it is a field. A wheelchair is manageable. Cancellations will be posted on the Flying Circus website. http://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/index.html There are two groups to join when you are a United Airline retiree. First is our local group; Dulles Loungers with dues at only $10 per year. The second is the national organization, RUAEA (Retired United Airlines Employees Association). Sign onto www.ruaea.org on your computer and follow the instructions. RUAEA Checks are mailed to the Denver office. The deadline to renew your membership with the Dulles Loungers is January 2017. That may seem like a long way off, but you know how quickly time flies. Take care of it while you re thinking about it. The cost is only $10 for retirees (spouses free). The 2017 form is attached. Print it out, fill it in bring it to a luncheon meeting or mail it to Mari McColl (address below).
Labor Day s History in the USA Labor Day in the USA had a bloody and controversial history. Though Labor Day in many countries is celebrated on May 1 st, the ties to communism made that date unacceptable. In the 1890 s, a bad recession reduced the need for the Pullman railway cars. This prompted the wealthy owner, George Pullman, to lay off workers and reduce wages. Workers were angry and went on strike. The day after the strike in 1894, President Grover Cleveland declared an official Labor Day. So as not to co-inside with May 1 st, the first Monday in September was selected. This, it seems, was meant to appease the workers. It didn t, and the strike continued. The President sent in federal troops which further angered the workers. They resorted to rioting, tipping over RR cars and setting them on fire. The troops responded brutally killing dozens and wounding many more. Eventually order was restored though the workers continued the fight to gain wage increases, reasonable hours and benefits. Interestingly enough, none of this is mentioned in the U.S. Department of Labor s description of how Labor Day came to be. American workers owe much to these men and women for paving the path with blood, sweat and tears. As you enjoy the parades, picnics and barbeques, remember those who made it possible. Don t forget to bring your Box Tops for Education for the Pace West School. Thanks! Your smiles for today!
Please see Sunshine News for updates on members. Contact any of our Lounger officers with info about illnesses, deaths, special events or whenever news should be shared with others. www.dullesloungers.com Mari McColl, President 703-471-8218 marimccoll@aol. com Address: 11517 Hiddenbrook Drive Herndon, VA 20170 Cathy Gilbert-Silva, VP 540-364-1910 cjgilbertsilva@gmail.com Address: P. O. Box 77 Delaplane, VA 20144 Judy Dunlap, Treasurer 703-689-0653 jbjjudy3@verizon.net Bob O Roark, Historian 540-635-2069 oroark@centurylink.net Bud Reed, Webmaster