CHAPTER NEWS

Military Medicine,  Spring 2004  

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Along with the AMSUS Chapter status that the James D. Weaver Society (JWS) has achieved, we are beginning to work with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF) for the advancement of Military Medicine. The HJF offers experience and knowledge to support sponsorship of our educational mission.

CMSgt Michael C. Arnold was the 2003 JWS Annual Award winner. He was honored during a ceremony at the 2003 AMSUS JWS Reception held in San Antonio, Texas in November. Capt Mark Stephenson, of the NYANG, has assumed the duties of treasurer for the JWS. We thank SMSgt (Ret) Richard Protsko for his years of service in that role and wish him "blue skies" for his retirement from the NYANG.

The following is a condensation of information provided by Maj John Kirk of the ANG Medical Readiness Training Site (MRTS):

Maj Gen Dennis Higdon (former ANG Assistant to the USAF/SG) will host a one-day Reunion for the JWS Board of Directors and members of the ANG Medical Service (ANGMS). This reunion will provide an opportunity to visit the Field Training Site, the 25-Bed EMEDS System, as well as the Museum and Repository dedicated to Colonel James D. Weaver. Displays will include items donated by retired members of the ANGMS and related to the life of Colonel "Doc" Weaver.

Maj Gen James Whinnery (former ANG Assistant to the USAF/SG) and Lt Gen P.K. Carlton, Jr.,(former USAF/SG) have been asked to address the reunion group. There will be a lunch and a dinner offered on base and many opportunities for socializing and reminiscing. The tentative plan is to start at approximately 0900 on Saturday 21 August 2004 and conclude after dinner that evening. Attendees should plan to arrive on Friday and depart on Sunday.

MRTS staff members will coordinate transportation. A contract bus will be provided from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Alpena, AFB and return if there is enough interest. The bus will stop at the Vfc-way mark for dinner in Frankenmuth, Michigan. This is the home of the very popular Bonners-Christmas Around the World Store. The round-trip contract bus, Detroit-Alpena, will cost approximately $50.00. Final cost determination will depend on how many people sign-up. Shuttles will be provided to and from local billeting. Plan in advance to fly into Alpena (APN). Other proximal airports include Saginaw (3 hours South) and Traverse City (3 hours West) of Alpena, Michigan. Make arrangements for a rental car if you use airports other than Alpena.

Fifty (50) rooms have been blocked at the Holiday Inn Alpena (989-356-2151) for 20-22 August. Rooms will be available until 20 July 2004. The reunion will cost $50.00/ person and cover a continental breakfast, a light lunch and a barbeque dinner on base.

Make checks payable and send (NLT 1 July 2004) to:

MRTS

5448 A Street

Alpena, Michigan 49707-8125

For more information contact Major John Kirk at (989) 354-6305 or by e-mail at john.kirk@micrtc.ang.af.mil

Weaver Society programs aim to increase mutual military understanding and to serve as a means for active and retired Medical Service personnel to maintain a working role in the ANG mission.

The National Capital Region Chapter held a dinner meeting on 30 March 2004 and heard Mark PoIi, PhD, DABT, speak on "Ricin and the Game of Bioterrorism." Dr. Poll is Principal Investigator, Toxinology and Aerobiology Division, U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ft. Detrick, MD. Recent events have once again brought ricin to the attention of the American public as a weapon of bioterror. The resulting media coverage inserted the idea of ricin as a horrible mass casualty weapon into public consciousness, and this concept is reinforced by ricin's history as a biowarfare agent. Dr. Poli provided a most interesting discussion of ricin from the standpoint of history, biology, and medicine, and discussed its potential as a bioterrorist weapon.

Copyright Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Spring 2004
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