June Retiree's Corner Published May 17, 2014 By Robert (Bob) W. Barkalow Jr. Master Sgt. (Retired) MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. -- We did increase our Luncheon rolls this past luncheon to about 50 folks. It was good food, and good fellowship.Our McEntire Liaison, Col. Scott Lambe did a wonderful job briefing us and fielding the questions. I am still concerned that we have gotten complacent about coming to our monthly Luncheons and ask for any advisement as to how we can beat the bushes to get more folks to come. At this time, I would like to give a special invitation to the newly retired folks, those who retired within the last five years. I am not seeing many of these folks hit our doorway? Perhaps some are still working elsewhere. As mentioned before, we have a corps of people who almost always come see us every month, and I am ever grateful to see these folks, 'the Dependables'. For some reason, there have been and will be many opportunities to participate in a variety of activities coming up. What I have been doing as of late is advising you of these opportunities and leave it up to you to participate in them. This is the only way I know how to inform you and hope this is satisfactory to you. At the time of this writing, Armed Forces Day is May 17th, which also concludes the RAD (Retirees Appreciation Days) at the Fort. Then we have Memorial Day coming up and being celebrated May 26th. Our next Luncheon is June 3rd. There is the Chief's 2014 function on the evening of June 6th and the next day, the SC Military Museum is having a grand opening of their 2nd Display Building, so there is a lot to look forward to, and I hope you have or will participate in the activities that interest you. McEntire History: We have a lot of history and history is being made every day if you think about it. This should finish up honoring the 2008 Retirees, they are as follows: Lt. Col.'s John Bush and Jim Hartley, Chief Master Sgt. t David Roach, Senior Master Sgt. Barbara Davis, Master Sgt.'s Richard Collins, Robert Pressley, William Watterson, James Austin, Dalila DeJesus-Barnes, Lee Rafford, Paul Duke, Mannie Rickenbaker and Richard Robinson. Tech. Sgt.'s Gregory Nauman and Richard Kellett. As always if you are a 2008 Retiree and have not seen your name, let me know. There were a total of 46 known Retirees for the year 2008. The only June major deployment noted was in 2010, whereas the fighter wing participated in OIF, Operation IraqiFreedom, as part of the AEF (Air Expeditionary Force) beginning in June 2010. Our unit was probably one of the last to be deployed to Balad just before all Americans left Iraq by the end of the year. I believe we did not fire a shot or dropped a bomb during this deployment based on the information received, but we were prepared. On the other hand, there were some rockets and mortars fired towards the base periodically, primarily towards the flightline to raise the awareness level at times. Again, at the time of this writing, there is a strong possibility that TAG may visit with us during our next Luncheon. I will keep those of you informed through the address book as to the disposition of this. If I may recommend each and every one of you help me recruit more of our retirees by simply asking, "hey are you coming to the Luncheon", that would a big help. As always, we currently hold our Luncheons at the Fort Jackson NCO Club on the first Tuesday of each month, except July. We usually start the proceedings at 1200, however, I recommend you get there around 1130, so you can talk and meet more folks beforehand. I hope to see many of you at the June 3rd Luncheon. God Bless you all and your families. My email address is rbarkalow@sc.rr.com, and my home phone # is 803 936-0680.