The White Falcon - 17.06.1977, Blaðsíða 1

Fil-Am Ass’n installs officers at annual festivities
YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE join in the Fil-Am dinner events (top and right),
(photos by JOSN Stan Halstead)
Following many weeks of meticulous
planning, the Filipino-American Asso-
ciation of Keflavik formally inducted
its new officers during a gala dinner
Saturday evening.
Captain Jack T. Weir, Commander Naval
Forces Iceland/Commanding Officer U. S.
Naval Station was guest speaker for the
affair and was also host for the induc-
tion ceremonies.
Newly inducted officers included:
Tony Cercena, president; Hector Fur-
agganan, vice-president; Jim Labitan,
second vice-president; Merlie Mendoza,
secretary; Jenny Reyes, treasurer; Ted
Bautista, business manager; Ed Ventura
and Tony Gaviola, public affairs offi-
cers; Angelo Baylon, Chit Layug, Ted
Mendoza, auditors; Rey Franco, Ben
Cacao, Lou Evangelista, Ed Reyes, ad-
visory board; and Jimmy Castilla, John
Cajive, sergeants-at-arms.
Another highlight of the evening's
affair was the presentation of the
Joint Service Commendation Medal to
Chief Mess Management Specialist
Teodoro P. Mendoza, for his "...perfor-
mance of...duties while...Flag Mess
Supervisor... to the Flag Mess of the
Supreme Allied Command Atlantic from
July 1969 to February 1976."
The formal dinner-dance began at
6 p.m. with cocktails. A buffet style
dinner consisting of lumpia, pansit,
lechon, fried chicken, steamboat round,
fried rice, garden salad and desserts,
was served. Following the dinner
Capt. Weir addressed the attendees.
Capt. Weir began his talk by re-
miniscing about his tour of duty in
the Philippines and then switched to
a topic he claimed to be his most
favorite, the young enlisted men and
women in the service today.
The captain noted that the young
service members today are much more
educated than sailors of the past and
this demands much more leadership
quality. He reemphasized that the men
and women of today's Navy must be
treated as people and not inanimate cogs
in a big wheel.
Capt. Weir read the oath of office
for the newly-elected officers and then
commended all the persons responsible
for the planning of the Fil-Am dinner.
He then called Chief Mendoza to the
dias and presented the Joint Service
Commendation Medal. Chief Mendoza was
cited for his "...outstanding performance
of duty and diligent application of in-
genuity and initiative. As the Chief
in Charge of the galley for "Sea Link II"
Chief Mendoza was an invaluable asset,
demonstrating superior qualities of
foresightedness and leadership.
"Through his professional knowledge,
enthusiastic efforts and tact he has
gained the trust, respect and admira-
tions of his supervisors, fellow workers
and all personnel with whom he came in
contact during the pursuit of his du-
ties."
The third part of the program fea-
tured the Fil-Am dance group, performing
several well-known Philippine folk
dances. The highlight of these dances
was one called "Pandanggo Sa Haw"—the
candlelight dance. It featured four
ladies who danced with lighted candles
on top of their heads and one candle
in each hand.
The evening was capped by an enter-
tainment group which provided dancing
music for all to enjoy and by the offer
of more food.
The evening had been heralded by many
as one filled with "something for every-
one." It proved to be just that.
New Commander:
LtCol. Richard J. Slowey heads the
57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
In change of command ceremonies,
Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Slowey
will relieve Lieutenant Colonel William
M. Foy as the 57th Fighter Interceptor
Squadron commander today at 2 p.m. at
Hangar 830.
LtCol. Foy will become Air Forces
Iceland vice-commander and director of
operations.
The incoming 57th FIS commander en-
tered the Air Force as an aviation
cadet at Harlingen Air Force Base, TX.
He was commissioned a second lieuten-
ant, and received his navigator wings
in July 1959.
Following advanced navigation train-
ing, he was assigned to the 456th
Strategic Wing, Beale AFB, CA as a B-52
crewmember and flight instructor.
In 1964, LtCol Slowey attended the
Squadron Officers' School where he
was designated a distinguished graduate.
Returning to Beale AFB, he served
as the wing electronic warfare officer
until his entry into pilot training.
The colonel then received his pilot
wings and the Air Training Command
Commander's Trophy at Craig AFB, AL in
1966.
In 1967 he was assigned to duty as
an F-102 interceptor pilot with the
317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at
Elmendorf AFB, AK.
From 1970 through 1972 LtCol. Slowey
served a tour of duty as an F-4 flight
commander with the 480th Tactical
Fighter Squadron at Phu Cat, Republic
of Vietnam.
Upon completion of his combat tour,
the colonel attended the Armed Forces
Staff College at Norfolk, VA. Other
professional military education includes
the Air University Professional Personnel
Management Program and the Industrial
College of the Armed Forces.
Assigned to Headquarters North Ameri-
can Air Defense Command/Aerospace De-
fense Command until 1976, his duties
there included Executive Officer to the
Deputy Chief of Staff/Comptroller and
Chief, Officer Assignment Division with
LtCol. Richard J
the Deputy Chief of Staff/Personnel.
Before coming to Keflavik, LtCol.
Slowey served as operations officer for
the 46th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,
Peterson AFB, CO.
LtCol. Slowey has logged more than
2,600 hours of flying time, including
240 combat hours in the F-4.
The new 57th FIS commander was born
at Scranton, PA.
He holds a bachelor of arts degree
(with honors) in philosophy and poli-
tical science from the University of
Colorado, Boulder, CO.
His decorations include the Dis-
tinguished Flying Cross with two oak
leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service
Medal, the Air Medal with eight oak
leaf clusters and the Air Force Com-
mendation Medal with one oak leaf
cluster.
LtCol. Slowey is married to the
former Frankie D. Watts of Biloxi, MS.
They have four children: Elizabeth,
Theresa, Joseph and Peter.
Annual Navy Relief Society fund drive begins; donations desired
NRS--for sea services
There are a number of charity or-
ganizations that provide much needed
assistance to people throughout the
world. But, there is only one that
provides help to Navy and Marine Corps
men and women and their families—the
Navy Relief Society.
The annual fund drive for the Naval
Station began Wednesday (June 15) and
persons will have until Monday July 4
to voluntarily contribute to this
worthwhile organization.
Throughout its existence, the society
has provided $5.3 million to help more
than 75,000 individals and families. In-
cluded in this amount was more than $3
million in direct relief loans, $1.3
million in education loans and $471,000
in gratuities.
NRS offers emergency aid
The Navy Relief Society offers
emergency assistance to Navy and Marine
Corps active duty and retired personnel,
their dependents and their surviving
widows and children.
In addition to direct financial assis-
tance, the society, through its volun-
tary workers, provides other forms of
assistance. Navy Relief has provided
layettes to families with newborn ba-
bies; has offered counseling services;
has provided registered nurses who
visit homes with either newborn infants
or with elderly persons who need con-
stant medical attention and has sponsored
programs such as "Live Better for Less",
"Helping Hands", "Toys for Tots" and
"Motor Corps".
Additionally, society workers operate
Thrift Shops at almost all naval instal-
lations and children's waiting rooms
within naval medical facilities.
Persons who contribute to the Navy
Relief fund campaign may find it in-
teresting to note that all their money
goes directly to help those in need.
None of the money is used for salary or
office facilities.
The mission of Navy Relief hasn't
changed since the society was founded
more than 70 years ago—"the Navy and
Marine Corps take care of their own."