Fort Worth Roundup
Many thanks to everyone who journeyed to Fort Worth for this year’s U.S. NCVA reunion. As with all previous reunions, the opportunities to reconnect with shipmates and share stories was prevalent through the entire reunion, from check-in at the registration desk until the final breakfast the morning after the banquet Saturday night.
After such a long period of little to no travel and only connecting with family and friends remotely via phone and Zoom/Facetime/Skype or other virtual connections, it was great to see one another, swap sea stories, and raise a glass in person, face to face.
Thanks to the Fort Worth Information Team for providing information to attendees for things to see and do in Fort Worth. Lots of folks enjoyed visiting the Fort Worth Water Gardens and the Botanical Gardens.
Many made the journey to watch the daily longhorn cattle drive through the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. For a few, there was the thrill of mounting a Texas Longhorn.
Golf Tourney
Congratulations to this year’s Golf Tournament winners and all the players who braved the Texas summer heat to play the links at the Club at Fossil Creek. The weather made that cold beer on the 19th hole even sweeter!
Pinochle &tc
Along with the other familiar events, such as the Pinochle tournament, different group meetings and the ladies’ outings, this year’s reunion included several new events, some added to the POD after the Fort Worth tours were cancelled by the tour provider. Here’s hoping that some of these may be included at future reunions.
Two USN Reserve officers provided an informative overview of current cyber threats to home computer uses and ways to minimize your risks.
In addition to an afternoon of Casino play, there was an exciting Trivia Hour in the Hospitality Room, where attendees were challenged with Texas, Cryptology, and Navy trivia questions. (Did you know that there have been four USN warships named USS TEXAS?)
There Be Authors
A special thanks to Matt Zullo, Pete Azzole, and Ray Schmidt for being on our “Meet the Authors” panel presentation. They each shared highlights of their works, which was warmly received. The authors were at the reunion virtually, using Zoom; U.S. NCVA members unable to be in Fort Worth joined these discussions via the Zoom webinar.
Our General Meeting
As with the Good Cyber Practices presentation and the “Meet the Authors” panel discussion, the NCVA General Assembly meeting on Saturday morning was conducted on-site and virtually through Zoom. Following remote comments by Bill Hickey, NCVA Executive Director, from his Colorado home, reunion attendees received updates on ongoing efforts by the Navy Cryptologic community.
RDML Jeff Scheidt, the senior cryptologist currently on active duty and deputy principal cyber advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, addressed the annual meeting via Zoom. He shared insights into the National Military Strategy and how that translated to a renewed focus addressing the maritime threats of Russia and China.
Present in Fort Worth, CAPT Sean Kentch, Deputy Commander, Reserve Naval Information Command, shared highlights of recent changes to Reserve support.
This year’s banquet speaker, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23,) retired CTICM, was unable to attend in person but did send a recorded message for those present in Fort Worth.
After a tasty meal and much wine, this year’s banquet concluded with a challenge from Penny Tardona, U.S. NCVA Board member, that everyone persuade at least one other person to attend next year’s reunion in Charleston.
So, thanks to this year’s host and planning team for a great reunion in Fort Worth and here’s to seeing everyone in Charleston in 2022.