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This page was last updated: August 5, 2026

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August-September 2026

BRANCH OFFICERS:

President: Richard Reno 970-241-5000

1st Vice Pres: Gregory Schneck 757-298-8307

2nd Vice Pres Tom Tubach 970-261-6055

Sec/Trea: Chuck Watkins 970-434-0868

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jr. PP: John Meyer 970-639-5220

Jim Stafford 970-243-3303

Tom Tubach 970-261-6055

Gene Deininger 970-296-0283

Master-At-Arms: Jim Stafford 970-243-3303

Chaplain: Bud Johnson 970-249-0891

Website: http://www.frabr244.homestead.com

President’s Notes:We passed the 250th Birthday for America. I was a little disappointed at the 4th of July parade as NO Military organizations were in the parade. Hopefully that will change for the Veterans Day parade. The Blue Angels are scheduled for October 3rd and 4th. We will not be hosting a booth this time for lack of interest. I'm hoping that we can get volunteers to fill our branch officer vacancies, and will continue on as branch President for the near future. Hope your all well, see you at the next meeting.

Rich Reno

Branch 244 President

Secretary Notes:

Are ya warm enough yet? Man it has been a hot/dry one so far this summer. All of Colorado and especially Western Colorado needs more rain; not all at once but a few good drizzles will help bunches.

Because of my missing the registration deadline for the July 4th parade we did not participate this year. I promise that I will be more astute to getting us registered for the local “Veteran’s Day” parade in November. We usually have a pretty good turn-out of members for the float.

Branch 244 is doing pretty well maintaining our membership but as always we could use more members. If you know of any eligible Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard active, retired or former service members encourage them to join us and the Fleet Reserve Association. As an incentive let them know that the Branch will pay half of their member dues when they sign up for two years if that will help convince them to join. I have included two different member supplication forms in this News Letter. The large one is good for either a Regular Membership or a Life Membership. The smaller one is only for Regular Membership applications.

We need members to step-up and take officer positions, namely, President, 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President. Also we need members for the Board of Directors.

Yours in

Loyalty, Protection and Service Chuck Watkins Secretary/Treasurer gonavy@acsol.net

Important Events in Navy History:

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04 Aug 1790 U.S. Coast Guard established

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04 Aug 1917 Medical Corps established

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05 Aug 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay

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22 Aug 1912 Navy Dental Corps established

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02 Sep 1945 V-J Day – Japan surrenders

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10 Sep 1813 Battle of Lake Erie British Defeated

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11 Sep 1814 Battle of Lake Champlain British Defeated

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11 Sep 2001 Pentagon & World Trade Center attacked

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14 Sep 1814 Sailors & Marines join in defense of Fort McHenry

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15 Sep 1950 Landing at Inchon

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23 Sep 1779 Capt. J.P. Jones to HMS Scrapin “I have not yet begun to fight”

Important Local Events:

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12 Aug Branch 244 Monthly Meeting

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9 Sep Branch 244 Monthly Meeting

Meetings are held at VFW Post 3981 Hall, 503 ½ Florence Road, Grand Junction, CO 81501 starting at 1300 (1PM).

Branch 244 Shipmate Birthdays: Shipmates with Birthday in July-September: Gene Deininger, Jim Stafford, Quinz Hill, James Lafferty, Richard Van Dellen, John Meyer, Edwin Prior III, Charles (Keith) Smith and William Flores. Happy birthday shipmates.

Branch 244 Members due to Renew: Jimmy Davidson and David Cessarich. Shipmates your renewal with FRA and Branch 244 will be appreciated.

Branch 244 Members Renewed: Tom Tubach, Edwin Prior, Keith Smith. Shipmates your renewal with FRA and Branch 244 is greatly appreciated.

New Branch 244 Member/s: Dena Christensen. Welcome aboard shipmate.