The FLORIDA CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ASSN.
HISTORY
The first meeting was held at the home of James and Christine Phillips, 2521 SE 60th Ave, Ocala, Fl. 34480-7551 on January 9, 1993. 20 Chiefs plus spouses were present. All Chiefs were members of the NATIONAL CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ASSN., NCPOA. This was organized as a branch of the NCPOA and became the 1ST FLORIDA CHIEFS QUARTERS, (1st FCQ) Membership in the 1st Florida Chiefs QUARTERS required membership in NCPOA. At the first meeting the following officers were elected:
President William GLOVER Treasurer Charles MORGAN
Vice President...Richard ANDRE Chaplain Daniel KARWOSKI
Secretary Ruth MULLIGAN Master at arms Ed ENO
The roster of those attending this FIRST FOUNDING MEETING is attached.
At this organizational meeting, the first group meeting titled, the CHARTER CELEBRATION was planned. While attendance was planned for members of the 1st FCQ, all CHIEFS in the area were invited. It was planned for August 20 & 21, 1993 at the Airport Holiday Inn, in Jacksonville, Fl.
In Jacksonville, the next meeting was planned for February 3, 4 and 5 of 1994, at the Travel Lodge in KISSIMMEE.
At KISSIMMEE, 35 Chiefs and spouses attended. On Friday a trip to SPLENDID CHINA was on the agenda, followed by a HAWAIIAN LUAU at the Hotel. At the Banquet Saturday night, NCPOA PRESIDENT ANNE ANDERSON spoke.
Our third get-to-gather was held November 11 and 12, 1994, at the Holiday Inn, Airport, in West Palm Beach. No other Information on this event is available at this time.
On March 23, 24 and 25, 1995 our fourth event was held in Clearwater at the HOWARD JOHNSON Hotel. 26 Chiefs and guest attended. At this time we had 51 paid members. On Friday we had a Luncheon Cruise aboard the Empress Cruise Line Party Ship. Our Saturday evening Banquet, was on board the Cruise ship ADMIRAL. At our business meeting, RICHARD ANDRE was elected PRESIDENT and JAMES PHILLIPS, VP & FRED EGGLESTON, TREASURER. A joint meeting was planned for October in Pittsburg, PA, with NCPOA & 1ST FCQ. We have no other information at this time on the joint Pittsburg meeting.
April 11, 12 & 13 1996 found us at the La Quinta Hotel in Pensacola. Thursday, the 11th, we had a tour of the Historic City. On Friday a visit to the Largest & Best Naval Air Museum in the world on Pensacola Naval Station. Saturday morning, many of us visited the Grand Casino in Mississippi. Saturday evening, we had our Dinner at Halls Seafood Restaurant.
NO meetings. It was as though our group had folded. During this period we received several letters from William Glover, explaining the circumstances.
William Glover's perseverance got us together in KISSIMMEE, at the HOWARD JOHNSON Inn, on October 30 & 31, 1998, to decide whether to DISBAND or CONTINUE. 17 Chiefs plus spouses attended. It was decided at the Saturday morning business meeting to:
RE-ORGANIZE under the name of "FLORIDA CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS GROUP".
Under new Organization, membership in NCPOA no longer required. and
to continue SEMI-ANNUAL MEETINGS.
On Saturday evening we attended, "Wild Bills Wild West Dinner Show.
Next meeting April 9th & 10, 1999 at the Comfort Inn, in Mayport. This was conducted in conjunction with the MAYPORT NAVAL STATION FIRST ANNUAL "CHIEFS BIRTHDAY BALL", honoring the 106th year of the CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. Friday evening we gathered at the Mayport Chiefs Club for a "Steak Cook Out". Saturday evening we attended the Chiefs Birthday Dinner/Ball at the Oceanbreeze Club in Mayport.
October 6 to 10, 1999 (4 days) found us in JACKSONVILLE at the Holiday Inn, in conjunction with the NCPOA 1999 Convention.
April 7 & 8, 2000, found us at the Holiday Inn, in TAMPA, for the 107th CHIEFS BIRTHDAY BALL. 74 Chiefs & spouses attended. A Country Western Hoe Down was held on Friday evening while the Chiefs Birthday Ball was held on Saturday evening at the Hotel's Garden Terrace Room.
October 5 6 &7 a FALL FLING was planned for Ocala but was cancelled. The reason being that the GATORS/LSU game in Gainesville caused Hotels & Motels in the area to be completely booked.
April 6 & 7, 2001, the 108th Chiefs Birthday Ball was held at the Holiday Inn in DE LAND. Over 50 Chiefs plus spouses and one Air Force Dude attended. The Chiefs Birthday Ball was held on Friday, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. Saturday evening we cruised aboard thel3eresford Lady" an authentic Side Wheeler for a wonderful Home Cooked Buffet Supper.
The 2001 Fall Fling was conducted November 2, 3 & 4 at Shoney's Inn, in PENSACOLA.
April 4, 5 & 6, 2002 in Melbourne/Palm Bay, the 109th Chiefs Birthday Ball was Held. While here, a trip to the Kennedy Space Center as well as a trip out of Port Canaveral on a Casino Ship was provided. As usual a banquet was held on the last evening, celebrating 109 years of Chiefs.
Then, our FALL FLING was about to fall through. Fortunately CHUCK DAVIS volunteered to set up a meeting. A rapidly arranged FALL FLING at Lehigh Resort in LEHIGH ACRES was held October 31 through November 2, 2002. Golfing was available to all every day. The FRA Branch 144 has invited all to
visit their club. Gambling is offered at the Mikkosukkee Indian Casino. Tours to both the Henry Ford Museum as well as theThomas Edison Museum was available. Of course, a fine Banquet Dinner was presented on Saturday evening. An extremely Fine Fall Fling was arranged with very little advanced time.
At this meeting it was known that Bill Glover who had held this group together for many years would be resigning as President at the Spring event. Bill had told us that he would arrange the 110th Chiefs Birthday Ball in Jacksonville, in April 2003.
April 3, 4 and 5. 2003 William S. Glover, Hosted the 110 CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS BIRTH-
DAY BALL, at the HOLIDAY INN, Airport, Jacksonville. Included with the BANQUET BALL on Saturday night. There was an optional trip to the Alhambra Dinner/Theater on Friday night and a morning tour aboard a Navy Ship. It was our good fortune to visit the USS Samuel B. ROBERTS FFG 58. This was Bill Glovers last time as LEADER of the FLORIDA CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS GROUP. Bill resigned effective at this gathering. At our business meeting on Saturday morning, the following people were elected to conduct the business of the Group:
PRESIDENT--CHUCK DAVIS VICE PRESIDENT--BOB CLAMPIT
SECRETARY--DON HOLLAND TREASURER--CHUCK REGAN
Sometime between April and October, it was decided to change the name to FLORIDA CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ASSN.
SADLY on September 16, 2003, Bill GLOVER died in an Car Crash. No other information is known.
October 23, 24 & 25 2003 found us at the Park Inn, in HOMOSASSA SPRINGS for the FALL FLING. Friday. a trip on HALL's River Boat was offered in the afternoon and a CRACKER MEAL was offered in the evening. Our Banquet was held on Saturday at the Riverside Resort.
April 1, 2 & 3 2004 found us at the Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel in KISSIMMEE. On Thursday, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede , a Dinner/show was provided, while Friday a trip to Sea World. On Saturday evening as usually, there was a banquet. 70 PLUS members and guests attended.
*While not mentioned previously, all "get-to-gethers" included much QUALITY TIME in our Hospitality Rooms.
ANYONE THAT HAS INFORMATION THEY FEEL COULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THIS DOCUMENT, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PRESIDENT.