We had a great turn out for a lunch of Pasta Bolognaise with Sausage followed by another excellent presentation by Horace Hines. Big SIR Hersh Brown welcomed everyone with some good news followed by bad: We have two guests who have presented membership applications but we have lost Marcell Tomassian who has family health issues. We also have John Humphrey, Glenn Darrah and Chuck Moggia out with health issues and have been forced to resign their leadership positions. We also have a special offer for the Christmas Luncheon!

He will be talked about “Geology from the Pacific to the Rockies”.  This was a description of how the major geologic formations from the Pacific Ocean to the Rockies were formed.  Have you ever wondered why there is a coastal range followed by the great valley and then the Sierras?  Why is the decent from the Sierra summit down to Reno steeper than the rise from the Sacramento Valley to the summit? How were the rounded Sierra granite mountain tops (like Half Dome) formed?  What created the Great Basin where rivers go to die?  What forces created the Rockies?

Big SIR Hersh Brown welcomed 64 SIR members to an entertaining day with ex sailor Richard Holmboe who shared his Viet Nam era experience on the Pig Boat. We enjoyed a cheese burger lunch with many old and new friends and welcomed new member Dean Giovannetti. Ray Lubow led the group with a rousing rendition of God Bless America while Leo Pursley provided updates on Bocce, Gary Cameron updates on Pool and Marcel Tomassian information on the Friday hike. Glenn Darragh and Chuck Moggia are both out with disabilities so Larry Snapp is organizing a day trip for this month. Finally Brian Holmes won the attendance drawing and will receive a SIR memento.

To view Richard Holmboe’s presentation, just click on his image.

Richard Holmboe presented his US Navy submarine experiences during the Vietnam War.  This is a light-hearted presentation that includes information about submarines and about his experiences in two trips overseas. The talk will include many interesting and colorful slides.

Richard is retired and living in San Jose with his wife Arlene.  In his civilian career, he worked mostly for HP and Agilent Technologies.  He spent a good part of that career writing high-tech manuals and training courses. He also spent 22 years in the navy and naval reserve – in submarines, surface navy and naval air. He has been a popular docent at the Pigeon Point lighthouse near Pescadero for seven years.  He has spoken to groups many times on the subjects of the lighthouse, on whales, and on his submarine experience.  Additionally, he presents popular poems in a dramatic and meaningful way.

The August luncheon was the first New Branch 54 with a combined group from Branch 94. After a great barbeque together in July, we know that we can continue on a path of fun, companionship and growth.

We will enjoyed a great lunch followed by a presentation by Representative Jimmy Panetta from the 19th Congressional District. Jimmy will provided an overview of what is going on in congress and the impact on the country and greater San Jose area.

Big SIR Hersch Brown presented a 2026 slate of officers that was voted and approved by the membership:

Big SIR John Knapp, Little SIR Chuck McCoy, Sec. Ed Lynn, Asst. Sec. Rich Lordan, Treasurer Pierre Garabedian, Asst. Trea. Gary Levinson, Directors: M. Tomassian, G. Darragh, C. Raisor, P. Willey,

No BEC nor Luncheon on July 10. Instead we had a Joint Branch 94/54 Barbeque on July 17.

Bring your family and friends! We can play all kinds of games, go sailing, ride the train or just sit in the shade and eat! We mostly just ate!

But one thing is for sure; we had a great time.

Bay Area Older Adults

Join us to learn about Bay Area Older Adults (BAO) www.bayareaolderadults.org , a volunteer-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower adults of all abilities to take charge of their health, embrace diversity and become change agents for environmental sustainability. BAO improves the health of more than 65,000 adults age 50+ each year through outdoor, volunteering and educational programs.  We trek on nature trails, learn about different cultures, explore historic sites, experience new culinary flavors and help connect you to people with shared interests.

Big SIR Hersh Brown led a joint session with Branch 94 who will merge with us in August. An interactive BEC identified and resolved issues with the merger, planned a July picnic and had a great time interacting with all the new Br94 members.

We than had a nice lunch followed by a presentation by Anne Ferguson from Bay Area Older Adults. Due to copywrite the presentation was not recorded. Click on the BAO webpage for more information.

Branch 54’s 50th Birthday Party

Big SIR Hersh Brown led the group in a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the day we officially became Orchard Valley Branch #54. We sang Happy Birthday to us, got a little history of the branch, heard a bit of wisdom from our long term member Jerry Marshall who joined in 1990. We enjoyed Salmon, Steak or Pasta with wine and ice cream. We had a great time visiting old and new friends while watching these videos of past events:

Video  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TMjnTGKwcNI        Pierre, Frances and Marcel in Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01JCMWlIJ68        Marcel & the Meerkrats

https://youtube.com/video/5tZoxEY3tlY           Of course I read the newsletter  

Saving SIR

When he worked at HP, Andy Danver, SIR Director of Marketing and Communications, had an impressive budget and staff. Now retired and a member of one of the largest remaining SIR Branches, he has identified a huge potential for SIR in Santa Clara County. The problem is how to achieve that potential with a minimum budget and staff.

Rich Lordan and members of SIR#94 joined us for Andy’s presentation.

Big SIR’s Hersh Brown and Rich Lordan lead a joint luncheon with Br 54 & Br94. We had a productive discussion about merging the two branches, we met a lot of new friends and enjoyed a lunch of Meat Loaf, potatoes and vegetables. We welcomed a new member, Steve Lundgaard, and lost Joe Noia.

Andy Danvers, SIR State Director Marketing and Communication, gave an informative presentation on the history of SIR, the membership trends and opportunities for membership improvement along with some of the tools and processes for success.

Trust In Education

I will share the challenges we’ve faced  in providing aid to Afghan children and families since the Taliban gained control of the country in August 2021 and contrast that with the period before they were in charge.

The Afghans have recently been judged to be the poorest and unhappiest people in the world, which is understandable.  We have  been able to change the trajectory of well over a thousand lives, with the assistance of two program directors in Kabul who fear being arrested by the Taliban’s “morality police” for our efforts in educating Afghan girls.

Basically, I will cover what we have been able to do, what we are doing now and our plans for the future. What I’ve learned by providing aid in Afghanistan since 2005 is that the greatest rewards in life come from the impact we have on the lives of others.  

We celebrated Saint Patrick with a delicious Corned Beef lunch and a fantastic presentation by Bud McKinsey of his trials and successes providing education and life enhancing opportunities in Afghanistan.

Big SIR Hersh Brown welcomed the happy group and then provided updates on branch activities and events including an introduction of Steve Lundgaard a new applicant and the loss of two members Rob Miller and Robert Vazquez. We will miss them both! Finally, Ed Lynn was the lucky winner of the Attendance Award.

World Travel & Iceland

Our own SIR 54 member Bob Lawler was our speaker.  He and his wife came to this valley in1964 to start a 40-year career with GE Nuclear Energy.  He has been in 56 counties of the world and the continent of Antarctica.  Most recent travel has been a cruise ship which started in Iceland and ended in London.  His talk was not just be a “tourist picture report” on Iceland, but there was be a few such pictures. 

Big SIR Hersh Brown got things started with an update of activities. First the bad news, we had a moment of silence for Jack Byers who joined us in 2018 and passed earlier this month. We have enjoyed the rain, finally, and also activities updates from most of the active groups. We also have another Day Trip planned; watch the website for details.

Pierre is collecting Dues. If you have not paid, see Pierre.

We welcomed one guest Shawn ODaffer who recently retired from Google and Stanford. We hope to see Shawn again next month.

We then enjoyed a nice lunch with Ham or chicken. Another good job by the Three Flames. This was followed by an interesting presentation by SIR Bob Lawler. Bob went behind the scenes talking to the local people in Iceland and provided information never received on a normal tour. We, again, had internet problems so do not have a video of his presentation.

Alice Dang is a Community Engagement Specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association. Join with Alice and SIR Branch 54 for a presentation on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The discussion will include an overview on dementia and mild cognitive impairment, the ten warning signs to Alzheimer’s disease, early detection and diagnosis, treatment options, and caregiving. Resources available from the Alzheimer’s Association will also be shared.

For more information click: Alzheimer’s Association

Big SIR Hersh Brown gave a warm welcome and Happy New Year followed by branch news:

We had a moment of silence at our first luncheon of the year for three of our SIRS:  Richard Morgan, Alan Douglas and Warren Upton.   I just learned Warren passed away Dec. 25, and services are Monday  : FUNERAL MASS

Monday, January 13, 2025 10:00AM – 11:00AM

St. Frances Cabrini, 15333 Woodard Rd

San Jose, CA 9512

And while there is no local obit, most major news organizations have carried the story:  Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the last remaining survivor of the USS Utah, has died. He was 105. (CBS) Warren joined SIR #54 in 1995.      

Services for Alan Douglas are Saturday:

Memorial Service for Alan Douglas

January 11, 2025

Lima Family Erickson Mortuary

710 Willow Street

San Jose, CA 95125

 Service will begin at 2:00, with a reception immediately following at the same site.Services for Richard Morgan were held in December – I got a note from his son:   Hersh, this is Mike Morgan, Rich’s son. I was just going to email the SIR group and let them know about dad, and saw this nice note. Thank you for that. He loved golf and the SIR group.

Rest in Peace Brothers until we meet down the road… /h

Let’s celebrate

Holiday Luncheon

Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Three Flames Restaurant.

This is a special time for all members, wives and guests to celebrate the holidays.

You’re encouraged, but not required to bring a guest. Just have fun!

We encourage wearing colorful holiday outfits for the occasion.

• 11 to 12, No-host cocktails
• 12 to 1 Lunch (Special Steak or Grilled Salmon) with salad, rolls.
  Potatoes, veggies, coffee and dessert.
• 1 to 1:30 Enjoy the seasons oldies & sing along with “The Irish
  Twins”; the group you loved dancing to last Christmas.
• All this for $45 /person including tax and tip.

Big SIR, Hersh Brown, welcomed a spirited group to a Thanksgiving turkey lunch. He introduced our new Director, Charlie Raisor, and announced that, due to no new volunteers for leadership positions, all members in 2024 leadership and committee positions will continue in 2025. Rob Miller’s guest, Derek, was introduced and a good group of people signed up for the Day Trip to the Air Museum in Morgan Hill. We then learned, from Oliver Klink, the skill, perseverance and love required to become the World Class photographer documented in his book “Poetry in Motion”