Slater has a nice new donation from a member of the USS O'Flaherty DE 340, but it was almost not delivered.  Mrs. Doris Stoneman was walking with Mrs. Arlene Bailey where they were accosted by a young male who snatched Mrs. Stoneman's purse from her shoulder.  The youth jumped into a car while being pursued by the two women.  Mrs. Stoneman, the faster of the two women, was able to get the tag number, yelling it out to Mrs. Bailey who wrote it down.  A passerby with a cell phone alerted police who apprehended the perp within 15 minutes. The purse was not in the car, but was recovered a short time later near the scene. Everyone was thankful that neither lady was injured.

The business day began with the men's General Business Meeting.  TonyP covered this event and took some wonderful photos.  It was announced at the meeting that the DESA by-laws will be revised in 2003.  The changes are being made to modernize them with the current organizational structure and procedure.  The membership will vote on the changes to the by-laws through a ballot published in DESANews.
Tom Kidd was reelected president and Dick Ager as Vice President.  One member, Bob Fowler, was re-elected to the board while George Wideman and David Perlstein were elected.  Tom Gruber and Martin Davis completed their terms.
Among statistics presented at the meeting, were:

• Total Membership - 8,574
• Convention Attendance - 937
• Members Attending - 542

Since 1998, the recruiting program initiated by Tom Kidd has accounted for 1,052 new members.  Five men have received a recruiting pin for bringing aboard 20 or more new members.  And just this year Dean Hoover has recruited 75 members from the 1000-Class DEs.

TonyP was to cover the ladies General Business Meeting and Fashion Show, but he was unable to do this at the last moment.  I was involved with my Internet Seminar.   I apologize for not having photos to post from the ladies events.  I will ask the ladies to submit photos and post them here.

My Internet Seminar was successful with over 50 in attendance.  I was told my handout was very helpful so, when I return home, I plan to post the handout on the website for you to print.

As in days past, shipmates gathered any and everywhere to enjoy their time together.  I had the honor of meeting an early director of DESA, Don Kahler.  Below is his photo.